Environment

Feds reject petition for Aleutians marine sanctuary

JUNEAU -- The federal government has rejected a petition to create a new marine sanctuary in the Aleutian Islands.

In a letter dated Friday, the director of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Director wrote that the petition did not receive support from "a breadth of community interests."

The Aleutians East Borough and other local groups opposed the designation.

Dillingham state Rep. Bryce Edgmon introduced a resolution opposing the designation. While the resolution has not yet had a hearing, other Alaska lawmakers signed on in support of it.

Several environmentally-focused nonprofits submitted the petition.

Anchorage resident Rick Steiner, a board member for one of the groups, said he was not planning to resubmit the petition, although the group may. Steiner said he was more likely to pursue a marine national monument designation.

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