One threat to the Peard Bay Special Area is potential energy development in the Arctic Ocean — there is currently no prohibition against developing an infrastructure corridor, such as a pipeline, to transport oil from offshore drilling through Peard Bay and into Alaska’s interior or across northern Alaska to facilities at Prudhoe Bay. Climate change is also having a profound effect on the region — rising temperatures and the disappearance of sea ice is causing more and more marine mammals, such as seals and walrus, to haul-out on the mainland, resulting in greater vulnerability to predators and hunters. In addition, melting permafrost is removing a critical buffer between coastlines and the impact of ocean waves. As permafrost disappears, coastal erosion could become significant, destroying wildlife habitat and nesting areas and disrupting local communities. The coastal denning and feeding habitats for threatened polar bears also become more important every year as sea ice levels continue to decline.