Contacts
Will Meeks (907) 235-6546 Bruce Woods (907) 786-3695
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that a project to restore the natural biodiversity of Rat Island by eradicating invasive Norway rats will not have any significant impacts on the human environment. In a Finding of No Significant Impact, released today, the Service determined that the project proposed for Rat Island in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge does not constitute a major federal action requiring further environmental analysis. Rat Island is uninhabited and located in the Aleutian Island Chain about 1,300 miles west of Anchorage. The Nature Conservancy and Island Conservation are partners in the plan to restore wildlife habitat by removing the rats.
The decision was based on an Environmental Assessment of the project released for public comment in mid-December. Thirty-seven comments were received during the Assessment review period. Public comments were overwhelmingly supportive. The project hopes to restore seabirds, native vegetation and other elements to Rat Island's ecosystem. Non-native, predatory rats, which arrived on the island via shipwreck in the 1780's, have eliminated many bird species and affected other parts of the island's ecosystem.
Pending final approval of permits and pesticide regulation compliance, eradication operations will begin on the 6,861 acre island in the fall of 2008. Project specifics can be found in the Environment Assessment.
The Finding of No Significant Impact and the Environmental Assessment are on-line at http://alaskamaritime.fws.gov/news.htm. Paper copies may be requested by e-mailing rat_island@fws.gov, calling (907)235-6546, or by mail to Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, 95 Sterling Hwy., Suite 1, Homer, AK 99603.
The Alaska Maritime Refuge's purpose is to conserve marine birds, other migratory birds, marine mammals and the habitats on which they rely. According to Acting Refuge Manager Will Meeks, the refuge has more than 50 years of experience restoring native birds and ecosystems by removing introduced species from refuge islands. Although this will be the first whole-island rat eradication in Alaska, rats have been successfully eliminated from more than 300 islands worldwide.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
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