ContactsJoan Jewett, 503-231-6211
Public comments accepted until September 29, 2008
Questions and Answers
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a proposal to revise the
critical habitat designation for the marbled murrelet, a threatened species
protected under the Endangered Species Act. The proposed revision would remove
approximately 254,070 acres of forest land in northern California and Oregon
from the 1996 designation of 3,887,800 acres. The revised designation, if finalized,
would total 3,633,800 acres.
The marbled murrelet is a small seabird that spends most of its time in the
marine environment and nests in forests along the Pacific Coast.
The Service is proposing to remove the critical habitat designation from two
areas that do not meet the definition of critical habitat for the species and
are not considered essential for the marbled murrelet?s conservation.
In one area, encompassing about 191,370 acres in northern California and southern
Oregon, extensive surveys have indicated that marbled murrelets are very unlikely
to be using the area. Another area proposed for removal, approximately 62,700
acres in Lane and Douglas counties in Oregon, is farther than 35 miles from
the Pacific Ocean. Removing these areas would better conform with the 1997
marbled murrelet recovery plan, by limiting critical habitat to the areas where
the majority of known occupied murrelet sites are found. No changes are proposed
for the marbled murrelet critical habitat designation in the state of Washington.
"If this information had been available earlier, these areas would not
have been included in the 1996 critical habitat designation," said Ren
Lohoefener, Director of the Service's Pacific Region. "These proposed
changes are scientifically based technical adjustments and, if finalized, will
remove an unnecessary regulatory burden in the management of these federal
lands."
Critical habitat identifies geographic areas that contain features essential
for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species and that may require
special management or protection. The designation of critical habitat under
the Endangered Species Act does not affect land ownership or establish a refuge,
wilderness, reserve, preserve or other conservation area. It does not allow
government or public access to private lands. A critical habitat designation
does not affect private lands unless federal funds, permits or activities are
involved. Federal agencies that undertake, fund or permit activities that may
affect critical habitat are required to consult with the Service to ensure
that such actions do not adversely modify or destroy critical habitat.
The proposed critical habitat rule is scheduled to be published in the Federal
Register on July 31, 2008. The proposed rule, maps and descriptions of the
areas proposed for critical habitat can be found at
www.fws.gov/pacific/ecoservices/mamupch.html
Comments on the critical habitat proposal will be accepted until September
29, 2008. You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments. This method will be available upon publication
of the rule in the Federal Register; or U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public
Comments Processing, Attn: RIN 1018-AW18; Division of Policy and Directives
Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222;
Arlington, VA 22203. We will not accept e-mail or faxes. We will post all comments
on http://www.regulations.gov.
The Service completed a recovery plan for the marbled murrelet in 1997 and
a 5-year status review of the species in 2004. The final revised critical habitat
designation is scheduled to be made by December 2008.
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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