Proposed Rule on Loggerhead Turtles

Congressman Solomon Ortiz (D-TX) and Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC) recently met with NOAA officials to press NOAA to defer consideration of the substantive aspects of the Agency’s Proposed Rule to substantially alter the current status and treatment of loggerhead sea turtles under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) until after ongoing aerial survey research and data can be incorporated into a much needed revision of the loggerhead population assessment. The Congressmen kindly invited a Representative of SSA to participate in their meeting and sent a follow-up letter to NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco further pressing their position. In addition, SSA has prepared extensive formal public comments on the Proposed Rule.