SeaWorld withdraws plans for orca tank project

20111026_orcaSeaWorld, in a letter to the California Coastal Commission this week, reaffirmed its intent to no longer enlarge the killer whale tanks at its San Diego park.

Although the commission last year approved a $100 million proposal to double the volume of the orca habitat, it imposed a condition requiring that the theme park end all breeding of its killer whales. SeaWorld subsequently sued the commission, arguing that the agency has no legal authority to take such an action.

With SeaWorld’s announcement last month that it will no longer be breeding orcas at any of its marine parks, the company decided to formally withdraw its application for the tank expansion project, known as Blue World.

“This letter serves as SeaWorld San Diego’s formal withdrawal of coastal development permit Application 6-15-0424 for the Blue World orca habitat expansion,” reads the letter sent Monday to the commission.

Full story: San Diego Union Tribune

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