A draft plan to help guide recovery efforts for the endangered Laguna Mountains skipper (Pyrgus ruralis lagunae) is now available for public review and comment.
The draft recovery plan lays out a strategy to recover this small, native California butterfly, including augmenting or reintroducing the butterfly into areas within its historic range.
Laguna mountains skippers inhabit large wet mountain meadows and associated forest openings at elevations above 3,900 feet elevation. The species is currently found at four locations on Palomar Mountain. Previously known populations on the species’ namesake Laguna Mountains have been extirpated.
Recovery Plans are not regulatory documents, and do not require any agency or landowner to implement specific recovery actions. However, recovery of the Laguna Mountains skipper will require a coordinated effort with federal, state and private partners.
The notice announcing the availability of the Draft Recovery Plan for the Laguna Mountains Skipper published in the Federal Register on Jan. 26, 2016, and can be accessed here. Comments and information will be accepted until March 28, 2016. All relevant information received from the public, government agencies, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested parties will be considered in development of the final Recovery Plan.
To receive a copy of the draft recovery plan, please contact Bradd Bridges, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, 2177 Salk Avenue, Suite 250, Carlsbad, CA, 92008; telephone (760) 431–9440; or download a copy of the draft plan at LMS Draft Recovery Plan.
Comments may be submitted by one of the following methods:
- Submit written comments and materials to Bradd Bridges, at the above address;
- Hand-deliver written comments to our Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office at the above address, or fax them to (760) 431-9624, or
- Send comments by e-mail to fw8cfwocomments@fws.gov. Please include "Laguna Mountains Skipper Draft Recovery Plan" in the subject line.
Additional information about the Laguna Mountains skipper is available on our ECOS website.
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.cno. Connect with our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/usfwspacificsouthwest, follow our tweets at http://twitter.com/USFWSPacSWest, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfws_pacificsw/
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