June 13, 2008: NOAA's Fisheries Service announced extension of the public comment period for the Makah DEIS to Aug. 15, 2008.

• Federal Register notice (PDF 47KB)

May 9, 2008: NOAA's Fisheries Service released a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) and requested comments on the Makah Indian Tribe's February 2005 request to resume limited hunting of eastern north Pacific gray whales in the coastal portion of the Tribe's usual and accustomed fishing grounds, off the coast of Washington State, for ceremonial and subsistence purposes. The DEIS, prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), considers various alternatives to the tribe's proposed action. NOAA will consider and address all substantive comments received by 5 p.m. (PDT) on Aug, 15, 2008.

• Makah DEIS Questions & Answers (PDF 71KB)
• NOAA Fisheries Service Federal Register notice (PDF 51KB)  
• Chronology of major events related to Makah Tribal whale hunt (PDF 155KB)
• Makah DEIS Dear Reviewer letter (PDF 70KB)
• Makah draft environmental impact statement (DEIS)

PUBLIC MEETINGS

NOAA Fisheries held several public meetings to provide interested parties with an overview of the DEIS, and to provide an opportunity for public comment and testimony on it. The public meetings were held as follows:

• May 28, 2008, Port Angeles, Wash.
• June 2, 2008, Seattle, Wash.
• June 5, 2008, Silver Spring, Md.