FWS’s Draft Polar Bear Plan Available for Comment

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has announced the availability of their draft Polar Bear Conservation Mangement Plan (Polar Bear Plan). Currently the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and is considered “depleted” under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The draft identifies measurable recovery criteria, site-specific recovery action, and time and cost estimates. The FWS is requesting review and comment on the Polar Bear plan from agencies, organizations, and individuals with interest in polar bear conservation.

The full draft recovery plan, along with information on how to comment, is published in the Federal Register.