WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration said Thursday it is designating more than 200,000 square miles in Alaska as “critical habitat” for polar bears, an action that could add restrictions to future offshore drilling for oil and gas.Federal law prohibits agencies from taking actions that may adversely affect critical habitat and interfere with polar bear recovery. Assistant Interior Secretary Tom Strickland called it a step in the right direction to help polar bears stave off extinction.
Feds designate ‘critical habitat’ for polar bears
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October 22, 2009