Concerns grow over federal meeting on Gulf oil and endangered species

On March 31, a federal group called the Endangered Species Committee will meet in Washington, D.C., to discuss whether oil and gas activity in the Gulf of Mexico should be exempt from the Endangered Species Act. This matter has conservationists worried about the risks to vulnerable marine species.

Doug Burgum, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, published a notice in the Federal Register to schedule the meeting. The meeting will be about "an exemption under the Endangered Species Act with respect to oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities" in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Endangered Species Committee, sometimes called the "God Squad," is composed of high-ranking government officials and can grant exemptions that allow some operations to proceed even if they may harm protected species.

Industry experts say the gathering is a step toward balancing development and environmental protection. Holly Hopkins of the American Petroleum Institute told The New York Times that the meeting "is an important step toward making sure that offshore development can happen safely and responsibly while having as little effect on endangered species as possible."

In contrast, conservationists and wildlife supporters say the change might make protections weaker for some of the Gulf's most at-risk species. The area is home to many animals that are threatened or endangered, such as the sperm whale, the severely endangered Rice's whale (which is thought to number only 50 individuals), and the Kemp's ridley sea turtle.

Those who oppose the meeting express concerns about its structure and transparency. Joanie Steinhaus, the ocean program director for Turtle Island Restoration Network, noted that the process seemed to omit important voices from the conservation community.

Steinhaus shared, "No one is allowed in the committee meeting, not even people from groups like mine. There is no feedback." Steinhaus continued, "I do not even know if this committee can make this choice." "There is no way you can look at it and not think, 'This is for the [oil-and-gas] industry.'"

Steinhaus stated that her group and others are actively contacting federal officials to try to stop or reschedule the meeting. She went on to say that lobbying work will continue if policy changes occur.

Steinhaus remarked, "It is very worrying." "There are amazing and beautiful species that live in the Gulf, and this is where they live." Steinhaus believes that "we can protect them and allow drilling, but only at a level that is safe."

Environmental groups believe that trying to expand oil and gas development does not meet the usual requirements for exemptions under the Endangered Species Act. Usually, the Endangered Species Act only grants these exemptions in dire or unavoidable situations. Prioritizing energy production over conservation might have long-term effects, especially if another significant spill occurs like the Deepwater Horizon accident in 2010.

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