Public comments will be accepted until April 14, 2006
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has completed its initial evaluation of the petition to place the Marble butterfly on the Federal list of threatened and endangered species and determined that substantial biological information exists to warrant a more in-depth examination of its status. The Service will commence with a full status review of the species that will help determine whether the butterfly should be proposed for protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and, if so, whether it should be classified as threatened or endangered.
The butterfly was thought to have been extinct for more than 90 years before its rediscovery in 1998 on San Juan Island, Washington. The species was previously not known to occur in the United States and had last been seen in 1908 on British Columbias Gabriola Island.
"The world thought the Marble butterfly was extinct for 90 years," said Ken Berg, Manager of the Services Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Office. "Rediscovering it has given us a second chance and were using it to form partnerships to ensure that the species doesnt really go extinct."
"Were assisting the National Park Service with the development and implementation of restoration actions using best management practices for the grassland ecosystem on San Juan that will improve and protect existing habitat, conserving each of the butterflys life stages," Berg said. "And were working closely with the Washington Departments of Natural Resources and Fish and Wildlife, the Xerces Society, Washington State Extension Service, San Juan County Land Bank, and local landowners to ensure that this unique species is still around 90 years from now."
The review was prompted by a petition concerning the status of the Marble butterfly. Following the petition request, the Service received a 60-day notice of intent to sue from the Xerces Society, the Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the San Juans, and Northwest Ecosystem Alliance. The Service negotiated a stipulated settlement agreement with the plaintiffs including a timetable to complete the 90-day petition finding and to survey suitable habitat for the butterfly in six northern counties of Washington.
The Service has completed its 90-day petition finding and has found the petition presents substantial scientific information. Under the petition process, a comprehensive status review, known as a 12-month status review and petition finding, follows the positive 90-day finding. The 12-month review, expected to be completed in November 2006, will determine whether the Marble butterfly should be proposed for listing as a threatened or endangered species under the ESA. The Service would then have a year to determine whether to list the species.
A 60-day public comment period on this status review begins today and ends Year200April 14, 2006. Information and comments received should be submitted to the Manager, Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, 510 Desmond Drive SE, Suite 102, Lacey, Washington 98503. Comments may also be faxed to 360-753-9405, or e-mailed to fw1wwfwocomments@fws.gov. Please include "Marble Butterfly Review? in the title line for faxes and e-mails.
Information received in response to this notice will be available for public inspection by appointment during normal business hours at the above address. The documents may also be viewed online at http://www.fws.gov/westwafwo/
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 545 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign and Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
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