The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will host an information workshop on the draft recovery plan for the western snowy plover in Santa Barbara on Tuesday, September 18, 2001.The workshop will be held from 1-3 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel, 1111 E. Cabrillo Blvd.
The purpose of the workshop is to give individuals the opportunity to ask questions about or comment on the plan. A brief presentation will be given on the plan, followed by a question and answer session with a panel from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. After the workshop, participants will be able to meet individually with panel members.
The plan outlines strategies for recovering the Pacific coast population of the western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus), a small threatened shorebird. The Pacific coast population of the western snowy plover was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1993.
The draft recovery plan describes the status, current management, recovery objectives and criteria, and specific actions needed to remove the western snowy plover from the List of Endangered and Threatened Species. The draft plan was developed by a 23-member recovery team, including 7 technical experts and 16 landowner, management and recreational interests representatives from the Federal, State, local and private sectors.
The Pacific coast population of the western snowy plover is threatened primarily by human disturbance, loss of nesting habitat to development, encroachment of European beachgrass on nesting grounds and, at some sites, predation by crows, ravens, foxes and domestic dogs and cats as well as other native and non-native predators. Natural factors, such as inclement weather, have also affected the quality and quantity of snowy plover habitat.
Copies of the draft recovery plan are available by contacting the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office at the address below. The plan is also be available at the following website: http://www.r1.fws.gov. Comments are invited until December 12, 2001, and need to be submitted to the Field Supervisor, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, 2800 Cottage Way, W-2605, Sacramento, California 95825. Comments may also be submitted electronically by sending them to the following address: fw1wsprp@fws.gov
Public Workshop on Western Snowy Plover Draft Recovery Plan Set for September 18 in Santa Barbara
