News Release
March 9, 2010
Georgia Parham 812-334-4261 x 1203
Georgia_Parham@fws.gov
Lisa Mandell 612-713-5164
Lisa_Mandell@fws.gov
Comments Sought on Revisions to Statewide Conservation Plan and Renewal Of Incidental Take Permit for Endangered Karner Blue Butterfly
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking comments on a draft environmental assessment and revised statewide habitat conservation plan for the endangered Karner blue butterfly in Wisconsin. The Service is evaluating changes to the existing conservation plan, and has made its draft assessment available for review. The deadline for comments is May 4, 2010.
Under the federal Endangered Species Act, habitat conservation plans are required to obtain an incidental take permit for species listed as endangered or threatened. Such permits allow the take (harm, harass, kill) of listed species as long as a habitat conservation plan is in place for long-term conservation of the species. The Karner blue butterfly HCP was originally approved in 1999; the requested renewal would extend the plan and the accompanying incidental take permit to 2019.
Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources coordinates the statewide HCP for 39 partners who participate in the plan and are working under the incidental take permit. The partners include the forest industry, utility companies, road management authorities, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and private landowners.
A notice of availability for the Service’s draft environmental assessment and the revised habitat conservation plan for the statewide Karner blue butterfly HCP was published in the Federal Register on March 5, 2010. The documents may be reviewed on the Service’s website at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/permits/hcp/kbb_wi/index.html
Written comments via U.S. mail to the Regional Director, Attn: Lisa Mandell, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services, 1 Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, MN 55111-4056, or by electronic mail to permitsR3ES@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 www.fws.gov.
