![]() ![]() ![]() Government Accountability Office can investigate the "sufficiency of the environmental review processes for offshore wind projects." He was joined by fellow New Jersey Republican Jeff Van Drew, Andy Harris, of Maryland and Scott Perry, of Pennsylvania in promising additional hearings and demands for information, and claiming federal agencies have ignored expressions of concern by one of their own scientists about the effects of wind farms on whales. Christopher Smith of New Jersey called for a pause on such work until the U.S. On March 16, four Republican Congressmen held a hearing in Wildwood, New Jersey to call for a pause on all offshore wind projects. They noted that since 2008, NOAA has implemented vessel speed regulations to reduce the number of whale deaths caused by boat strikes, and that updated rules regarding the issue are due by June. The senators asked NOAA to detail how it plans to address and prevent whale deaths outline the agency's procedures for notifying the public when a whale deaths is discovered and when the results of necropsy examinations are ready and list any challenges the agency faces in determining the causes of whale deaths, and whether specific actions by Congress or the administration might help. Gaches said the agency will work directly with Congress to address any concerns it may have about the issue and the agency's response to it. NOAA has declared "unusual mortality events" involving whales on both coasts, including one on the East Coast dating back to 2016. Some showed signs of emaciation, but NOAA said more research is needed. The senators also expressed concern about the deaths of gray whales on the West Coast, where 298 of the animals have washed ashore since 2019. ![]() They were 21 humpback whales three sperm whales three minke whales two North Atlantic right whales and one sei whale. Lauren Gaches, a NOAA spokesperson, said that as of Wednesday, 30 whale deaths have been recorded on the Atlantic Coast since Dec. "If we do not act, other whale species may face the same fate." "Without action, the (North Atlantic right whale) will likely go extinct," they wrote. The senators voiced particular concern about two deaths of endangered North Atlantic right whales, although most of the whale deaths involved the more plentiful humpback species. "We know that NOAA’s preliminary findings for many of the whales washing up along the Atlantic coast this year have shown evidence of a vessel strike." Most of New Jersey will get 1 to 2 inches of rain, the heaviest of which is expected to fall Thursday night and into Friday morning. "To protect these animals, we must follow the facts and address the known, documented causes of death," he said. In a statement to The Associated Press on Wednesday, Booker said he wants the agency to protect whales and communicate quickly about any deaths. ![]()
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