There has been a lot of opposition to US plans to develop Alaska’s oil reserves. The impact on northern wildlife populations is one of the many issues raised, and this week sees the ante being raised. Three environmental groups have filed a lawsuit to protect the yellow-billed loon under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act.
The plaintiffs include the Center for Biological Diversity, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Pacific Environment. After petitioning for listing back in 2004, the groups argue that slow progress is putting the yellow-billed loon at increased risk. Typically, studies leading up to giving a species listed status can take time, and this is a problem for the most fragile scenarios. The effects of global warming in Alaska have been more dramatic in the past several years, added to the fact that oil exploration and development have intensified.
The yellow-billed loon is the largest loon species and is found above the tree line in northern North America, Europe, and Asia. These birds tend to winter on the ocean around Alaska and British Columbia, returning inland to breed around deep lakes. Pairs of loons return to the same nesting sites each year and are territorial, defending against intruders. Their nesting requirements are quite specific, so good sites are popular and may be one of the factors limiting population size.
Yellow-billed loons tend to leave their nests, with the potential for deserting incubating eggs, if disturbed by humans. In addition, as with other aquatic birds, they are sensitive to pollution, including oil spills, heavy metals, and other contaminants. And, because they require stable water levels to prevent nest flooding, yellow-billed loon habitat needs are well-established and not adaptable. They are also susceptible to predators while nesting. One concern about oil development is the change to the environment, potentially boosting the local populations of predatory arctic foxes, gulls, and ravens that feed on human garbage and shelter around buildings and vehicles.
Alaska is home to about a quarter of the total population (about 16,500 birds), and most of the breeding pairs are located in what is now designated as the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. This area is on the North Slope and has been subject to oil exploration ventures since 1945. Caribou, wolves, grizzly bears, and other species are abundant in this area.
The National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska has been a designated petroleum reserve since 1923 and is exempt from regulations requiring resource management plans. Since the late 1990s, exploration and development have increased, but sensitive habitat areas were exempt until 2004. Despite the limits on public comment, lawsuits must be resolved before full activities can resume. In addition, federal listing of the yellow-billed loon under the Endangered Species act would have to be considered in any further resource management schemes.
