Geoffrey Haskett

On Nov. 15 the Daily News published a story ("Alaska officials pan endangered species law") about a forum at which state officials expressed dissatisfaction with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In reading the story, it appears that little new information came out of the forum. Unfortunately, many of the quotes in the Nov. 15 piece reflect, at best, a misunderstanding of the law, and at worst are not supported by fact.

In a Dec. 12 Compass piece, Attorney General Dan Sullivan questioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's decision to list the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and stated that the act will impact development here in Alaska. I would like to answer those questions and address those concerns.