LACEY, Wash. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public input on a draft environmental action statement related to the Puget Sound Energy Habitat Conservation Plan. This draft evaluates the potential impacts of issuing an incidental take permit for species listed under the Endangered Species Act in Thurston and Pierce Counties, Washington.
The habitat conservation plan supports Puget Sound Energy’s application to renew its existing permit, extend incidental take coverage of the federally listed Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly and the Roy Prairie subspecies of Mazama pocket gopher, and expand the permitting area to include sections of Pierce County.
The habitat conservation plan includes activities related to the maintenance of existing above-ground and underground utilities, which are important for public safety. Proposed mitigation for the authorized take of species includes the establishment of conservation land parcels permanently maintained as suitable habitat.
Habitat conservation plans are one of the many tools under the Endangered Species Act that promote strong partnerships with landowners to conserve listed species on private and non-federal lands.
The notice is now available in the Federal Register, and publication on Monday, February 2, will initiate a 30-day public comment period. For related documents and instructions to submit public comments, view the Federal Register notice or visit www.regulations.gov and search under docket number FWS-R1-ES-2025-0144.
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