Secretary Dirk Kempthorne Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, NW Washington, DC 20240

RE: My comments on the Listening Sessions on Cooperative Conservation

Dear Secretary Kempthorne,

Thank you for allowing me to comment on the Listening Sessions on Cooperative Conservation.

Cooperative conservation efforts are important but are not a substitute for the safety net provided by the Endangered Species Act. Cooperative conservation only works because of the Endangered Species Act's strong regulatory requirements, which give the public assurance that species will not go extinct. The Endangered Species Act should be strengthened, not weakened or shortchanged.

The Endangered Species Act has prevented extinction for 99% of those listed as endangered or threatened. Full funding for listing, recovery, consultation, and cooperative conservation programs of the Endangered Species Act would allow a strong and successful law to do more to save our country's great natural heritage.

I also strongly urge you to permanently protect the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area from oil and gas drilling and other disturbances. This unique and fragile treasure on the northern coast of Alaska is home to an incredibly diverse variety of migratory birds and wildlife. Its surrounding wetlands provide prime nesting and molting grounds for waterfowl from three nations, nesting birds from six continents, the rare yellow-billed Loon, and the Black Brant.

Development of oil and gas fields in the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area will fragment and damage one of the most important wetlands in the circumpolar Arctic, while doing nothing to solve our country's energy problems.

Thank you for your serious consideration of these important conservation issues.