ENVIRONMENTALISTS PLAN SUIT TO PROTECT ICE SEALS

(AP) --  An environmental group says it will sue the federal government to force a decision on additional protections for Arctic seals.
The Center for Biological Diversity says in a notice of intent to sue filed this week that the Obama administration missed a deadline required by law for an endangered species listing decision on ringed, bearded and spotted seals. 

A 60-day notification letter is required before a lawsuit can be filed. 

The group in May 2008 petitioned to protect the Arctic seals because of threats to their habitat - sea ice - from global warming and petroleum development. 

In September, federal officials found that the three seal species may deserve Endangered Species Act protection. 

©2009 The Associated Press.  All rights reserved.  This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

___________________
The full version of this story is available online at http://www.physorg.com/news163359974.html