Agencies Announce Preferred Plan for Reestablishing Endangered Sonoran Pronghorn Populations

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has drafted an environmental assessment for establishing a second U.S. population of endangered Sonoran pronghorn and identified Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in Yuma County as its preferred reintroduction location. An additional population expansion east of State Route 85 is also being proposed. The Service is proposing to designate any reestablished Sonoran pronghorn populations as an “experimental, nonessential population” – a designation under the Endangered Species Act that allows for greater management flexibility in reintroducing new populations within the species’ historical range. Input into both proposals is being sought through April 5, 2010.