Guest guest Posted January 5, 2006 Report Share Posted January 5, 2006 Beluga waters opening to oil and gas development Last Updated Thu, 05 Jan 2006 11:03:20 EST CBC News The federal government is opening part of a protected beluga whale habitat in the Mackenzie Delta and Beaufort Sea to oil and gas companies. Companies have until the beginning of May to place their bids on two parcels of water in the region with protected whale habitat, Ottawa announced this week. Beluga whale. (CP file Photo/Jonathan Hayward) The parcels comprise about 156,300 hectares. One is about 70 kilometres west of Tuktoyaktuk, and the other is off the northern coast of the Yukon. The government is offering nine-year exploration licences to the successful bidders, in consecutive terms of five and four years. Between 20,000 and 40,000 beluga whales migrate into the area every summer because the shallow and relatively warm water offers them easy access to prey. Drilling is prohibited in the most sensitive areas but allowed in the surrounding water, with some restrictions. Federal officials say environmental screening processes will ensure gas explorers don't damage whale habitat. 1000 miles of endless screams, where all the dead heroes lay I've got the choice to set my knife, I've got the courage to set my life I've got the day I'll pick to die. Gotta hate someone, I don't know why I'll fight for a better way, be a dead hero for the U.S.A. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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