Petition to List Lynn Canal Pacific Herring under the Endangered ...

1. Unique Ecological Setting ............................................................................................ 26
2. Significant Gap in Range.............................................................................................. 27
3. Marked Difference in Genetic Characteristics.............................................................. 28
a) Uncertainty in Genetic Evidence .............................................................................. 28
4. Significant to the Ecosystem......................................................................................... 30
5. Significant to the Evolutionary Potential of Pacific Herring........................................ 31
6. Marginal Populations.................................................................................................... 31
7. “Cultural” Significance................................................................................................. 31
E. The Importance of Populations to Species Preservation................................................... 32
1. Pacific Herring and the “Metapopulation” Concept ..................................................... 35
F. The “Best Available Science” concerning the DPS inquiry ............................................. 38
IV. Analysis of Endangered Species Act Listing Factors....................................................... 40
A. Present and Threatened Destruction, Modification or Curtailment of Habitat or Range . 40
1. Kensington Gold Mine Project ..................................................................................... 42
a) Contamination of Coastal Waters by Mine Tailings................................................. 45
b) Increased Vessel Traffic in Berners Bay Area.......................................................... 45
2. Juneau Access Improvement Project ............................................................................ 47
3. Cascade Point Marine Facilities.................................................................................... 48
4. Cumulative Effects of Increased Industrial Developments in the Region.................... 50
B. Commercial, Recreational, Scientific, or Educational Overutilization............................. 52
1. Historic Overfishing...................................................................................................... 52
2. Current and Future Fisheries Exploitation.................................................................... 53
C. Inadequacy of Existing Regulatory Mechanisms ............................................................. 53
1. Alaska State Law .......................................................................................................... 54
a) Alaska Department of Game and Fish...................................................................... 54
b) Alaska Coastal Management Program...................................................................... 54
D. Disease and Predation....................................................................................................... 54
1. Disease .......................................................................................................................... 54
2. Predation ....................................................................................................................... 55
E. Other Natural and Manmade Factors Affecting Continued Existence ............................. 56
1. Changing Ocean Conditions ......................................................................................... 56
2. Oil Pollution.................................................................................................................. 59
3. Anthropogenic Noise Pollution..................................................................................... 60
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