Orca Action Alert: Comments Needed by 12/18 to Expand Critical Habitat

The Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) need your voice and support! Their designated critical habitat is being revised and expanded to include the marine waters from the U.S. international border with Canada at the mouth of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, south to Point Sur, California.

Friends supports the proposed revision of the Critical Habitat Designation for SRKW with these two important additions: include the Quinault Range site and a 10-km buffer and the nearshore areas which provide critical habitats for the SRKW food web. Please join us in making a comment by December 18.

More information:

Click here to see the Friends of the San Juans comment letter.

Click here for the online comment portal.

Click here and here to see the proposed Critical Habitat for the Southern Resident Killer Whales rule by NOAA.

Comment deadline: 8:59 p.m. PST on Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Thank you for your voice and support!

Picture above by NOAA

It wasn’t until 1979 that San Juan County got a comprehensive growth plan and that was largely due to the Friends of the San Juan’s being there to advocate for the shoreline and the ecosystem. Since then, there have been constant waves of pressure by developers. Friends have risen each time, fighting to protect this fragile and precious place.

Liza Michaelson

member, San Juan Island