The Services was nearing completion of a review of the two species under a 1979 Tongrass Land Management Plan when a revised plan was signed by the U.S. Forest Services of May 31 when the new plan was released.
The Queen Charlotte goshawk id a bird of prey that occurw primarily in the Tongrass National Forest in southeast Alaska. Tthe birds range also includes the Queen Charlotte islands and Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. The Alexander Archipelago wolf occurs almost exclusivily in the tongrass National Forest.
Queen Charlotte goshawks prey on a variety of birds and mammals closely associated with old - growth forest, including red squirrels, blue and spruce grouse, varied thrush and Stellers jays. he birds rely on the element of surprise to catch their prey, perching on branches for short periods between breifflights and using trees and foliage to conceal their approach from a potential quarry. The harvest of old growth forest is expected to decrease the availability of prey and to reduce the goshawks ability to hunt successfully.
The Alexander Archipelogo wolf is widely distributed on the mainland and most large islands in southeast Alaska with the exceptions of Admirality, Baranof and Chicagof Islands. Potential threats to the species include human-caused mortality, canine disease and the loss of prey as a result of timber harvest.
The Service will solcit public comment on the impact of the 1997 Tongrass plan on both species and will issue a new finding by August 31.
FWS
