Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to C. B., September 24, 1997

Congregs of tl )t ШпйеЬ States; $ouse of JRcprcSEntatibee 3Basf)ington. ЭС 20515-2002 September 24, 1997 Thanks for contacting me regarding the Makah whaling proposal for gray whales. I benefit by hearing your views on this vital issue. In May 1995, the Makah Tribal Council of the Pacific Northwest wrote to the Departments of Commerce and State indicating that the Council intended to ask the agencies formally to seek approval by the International Whaling Commission for an annual ceremonial and subsistence harvest of up to five grey whales. The Council argued that whaling has been a traditional part of the tribe’s way of life, and that there were no legal impediments to prevent this from occurring. The Clinton Administration endorsed the Makah tribe’s request. Next month, the U. S. delegation to the IWC’s annual meeting plans to present the Makah’s request for international approval. In the meantime, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a $200,000 grant to the tribe to hire a public relations consultant, a nutritionist to study the role of whale blubber in the Makah diet, and a veterinarian to recommend ways to kill whales more humanely. I am disturbed that the NMFS chose to spend precious grant money on such a frivolous expenditure. While I personally disagree with the Administration’s efforts to gain approval for the Makah request, it is not clear what Congress can do to stop it. The IWC is the sole international body with authority to regulate whaling. Moreover, because the gray whale is no longer on the list of endangered and protected species under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), and because the 1885 Treaty ofNeah Bay protects certain culturally-significant practices by indigenous peoples, the U. S. government may not have the legal authority to prevent the whale harvest. I will keep your views in mind as my House colleagues and I take final action on the fiscal year 1 998 Interior appropriations bill later this year. Be assured that I will not look favorably upon future attempts by the NMFS to spend taxpayer dollars on this or other questionable projects. Again, thank you for contacting me. If I can be of further assistance on any additional issues, please do not hesitate to call or write me. Very truly yours, Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Member of Congress