A proposed Safe Harbor Agreement to conserve the endangered Hine’s emerald dragonfly in DuPage County, Illinois, has been released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for comment. The draft was developed by the DuPage County Forest Preserve District for conservation measures at the Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve.
Safe Harbor Agreements are voluntary agreements between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and cooperating non-federal landowners. They are designed to benefit federally endangered and threatened species by giving landowners assurances that at no future time would the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service impose restrictions on their land as a result of conservation actions they take to benefit a listed species. These agreements essentially relieve landowners of liability under the Endangered Species Act if conservation practices on their land attract and/or perpetuate federally listed species.
The draft Safe Harbor Agreement would enable the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County to attempt to create breeding habitat for the Hine’s emerald dragonfly in areas of Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in DuPage County that are currently unsuitable. Under the agreement, the district would restore small streams favored by the Hine’s emerald dragonfly as breeding habitat. The new habitat and the Hine’s emerald dragonfly population would be monitored to gauge the success of the project and to adapt to achieve the greatest conservation benefit for the species.
The Hine’s emerald dragonfly measures up to 3 ½ inches in length and has brilliant green eyes. The larval stage is aquatic, occupying rivulets and seepage areas within wetland systems. The Hine’s emerald dragonfly occupies marshes and sedge meadows fed by calcareous groundwater seepage and underlain by dolomite bedrock. Adults also feed along shrub and forest edges near wetland habitat. The species was listed as endangered in 1995, largely due to loss of suitable habitat.
The draft Safe Harbor agreement is available on the Service’s website at:
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/Endangered/permits/sha/hed/index.html.
The Service is accepting comments on the draft through April 21. Written comments should be addressed to the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chicago Field Office, 1250 S. Grove, Suite 103, Barrington, IL 60010. Comments may be faxed to (847) 381–2285 or e-mailed to sha_dupagecounty@fws.gov.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov.
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