Attorney General Dan Sullivan said he’d also approach other states to tell them about Alaska’s plan, which includes a request for $1 million next year to hire another full-time attorney focused solely on the Endangered Species Act and for more contract help from specialized lawyers.
Sullivan, who took office last year, told the House Finance Committee he’s drafting letters to his counterparts in every state outlining the Alaska Department of Law’s playbook as it looks for a greater say in federal wildlife protection.
His comments came one week after Gov. Sean Parnell led his State of the State address by saying the federal government has intruded into areas of state legal responsibility.
Petitions have been filed by a handful of groups, led by the Center for Biological Diversity, in recent years looking to list species, including ice seals and the Pacific walrus, found in Alaska under the act.
Last year, the Interior Department declared the polar bear threatened, saying science showed the loss of sea ice poses a threat to habitat. The state sued to overturn the listing.
Sullivan generally said new listings require companies here to consult heavily with the federal government before investing in areas impacted by a designation.
“We believe that greatly increases the cost of doing business in the state,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan said the state also would look to share more analysis and biological data with the federal government and, when species make it onto the list, find a larger role for Alaska in shaping recovery plans.
Debate over potential listings often wind up in court.
Litigants generally file petitions or lawsuits because of a shoddy job by the state, despite its wealth of competent biologists, in protecting many species, said Rebecca Noblin, who directs Alaska offices for the Center for Biological Diversity.
“Alaska is wasting tax dollars on a losing battle against federal protections for species,” Noblin said. She said the state should focus more on increasing collaboration with the federal government and less on legal avenues.
Contact staff writer Christopher Eshleman at ceshleman@newsminer.com.
A waste of time and money.
Just don't mess with that oil exploration or corporate control and processing of resources, 'cause then we'll draw a -serious- line in the sand, and get -really- angry about our independence....
"It's money that matters" (Randy Neuman)
“We believe that greatly increases the cost of doing business in the state,” Sullivan said."
....and that's the entire point of the ESA, as evolved. It's become a jobs program.