Comment from Cherie Northon

Endangered and Threatened Species: Designation of Critical Habitat for the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale (Document ID NOAA-NMFS-2009-0100-0084) I am a resident of Anchorage in the Cook Inlet watershed. Much of the joy and pleasure I receive from living here comes from the fish and wildlife of the region. Driving along Turnagain Arm in late August and seeing the Cook Inlet belugas moving along the coast feeding on salmon is a delight for me and my guests. These gentle creatures need protection. Besides that, I hold graduate degrees in geography and have carefully read the comments and proposed rules to protect the belugas. I trust in NMFS’s assessment, analysis and science, and I strongly believe that the two distinct critical habitat areas (1 and 2) should be protected. I also work for the Anchorage Waterways Council and our mission is to protect, restore, enhance the waterways and wetlands of the Anchorage bowl. This includes all the anadromous streams and creeks that support the belugas and many other species. I believe that RESPONSIBLE development is viable, and we can co-exist with belugas—and we should. Development can be replaced, an extinct species cannot. Unfortunately the belugas do not have the money and lobbying efforts behind them, but that should not make this issue resolved merely on who has more money. Please establish a critical habitat area for the Cook Inlet Belugas! Cherie Northon, Ph.D.