New deadline is August 24, 2007
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is extending the comment period on the draft Recovery Plan for the northern spotted owl from June 25, 2007, to August 24, 2007. Notice of the extension was published in todays Federal Register.
The draft recovery plan, released April 26, 2007, identifies criteria and actions needed to stop the owls decline, reduce threats and return the species to a stable, well-distributed population in Washington, Oregon and California. The northern spotted owl is protected as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act.
The Service is specifically requesting comments on the following:
- The methods used to determine desired habitat percentages listed in Recovery Criterion 4. If recommendations are offered, respondents are asked to explain the scientific foundation supporting their comments;
- The biological need, design and feasibility of attempting to provide connectivity between the Olympic Peninsula and central Washington northern spotted owl populations;
- The biological value in identifying conservation areas in southwest Washington and northwest Oregon;
- The practicality of Appendix E, which provides examples of how a salvage logging action (Recovery Action 22) may be implemented;
- The identified boundaries of the Managed Owl Conservation Areas (option 1 only) and the Conservation Support Areas;
- Methods for managing the threat posed by barred owls; and
- Ways to create incentives for private land owners and managers to support recovery of the northern spotted owl.
Comments on the plan can be sent electronically to NSOplan@fws.gov, or mailed to NSO Recovery Plan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services, 911 NE 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232. Copies of the draft recovery plan will be available by request from the same Portland address (telephone: 503-231-6131). An electronic copy of the draft recovery plan is also available at http://www.fws.gov/pacific/ecoservices/endangered/recovery/plans.html.
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 97-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 547 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.
