A combined public meeting and hearing is scheduled in Romeoville, Illinois, on August 15, 2006, to gather public input on a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposal to designate critical habitat for the endangered Hine’s emerald dragonfly. An informational meeting will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., followed by a public hearing from 7:15 to 9:00 p.m. at the Drdak Senior/Teen Center at the Romeoville Recreation Center at 900 West Romeo Road.
On July 26, 2006, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a proposed rule identifying approximately 27,689 acres of land as critical habitat for the endangered Hine’s emerald dragonfly. Areas identified as potential critical habitat include 49 units located in the states of Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin. The Service, however, is presently considering whether to exclude all 26 units in Missouri and two units in Michigan from the final critical habitat designation on the basis of existing conservation plans and partnerships.
Public comments on the proposed rule will be accepted until September 25, 2006. Written comments on the proposal should be submitted to John Rogner, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chicago Illinois Ecological Services Fish and Wildlife Office, 1250 S. Grove, Suite 103, Barrington, Illinois 60010 or by facsimile to (847) 381-2285. Comments may also be sent by e-mail to at hedch@fws.gov, or to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Comments may also be hand-delivered to the above address.
Critical habitat is a term in the Endangered Species Act. It identifies geographic areas that contain features essential for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species and may require special management considerations or protection. The designation of critical habitat does not affect land ownership or establish a refuge, wilderness, reserve, preserve, or other conservation area conservation area
A conservation area is a type of national wildlife refuge that consists primarily or entirely of conservation easements on private lands. These conservation easements support private landowner efforts to protect important habitat for fish and wildlife and major migration corridors while helping to keep agricultural lands in production.
Learn more about conservation area . It does not allow government or public access to private lands. Federal agencies that undertake, fund or permit activities that may affect critical habitat are required to consult with the Service to ensure such actions do not adversely modify or destroy designated critical habitat.
A copy of the proposed rule, other information about the Hine’s emerald dragonfly , and directions to the hearing location are available on the Internet at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered
The Service is preparing a draft economic analysis of the proposed critical habitat that will be released for public review and comment at a later date.
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 546 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.
