U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Reopens Public Comment Period on 2007 Proposal to Delist Northern Rocky Mountain Population of Gray Wolves Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced it is reopening the public comment period on its proposal to delist the gray wolf in the northern Rocky Mountains. The public will have until November 28, 2008, to submit their comments to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov or via U.S. mail or hand delivery to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: RIN 1018-Au53; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222; Arlington, VA 22203. News Release
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Protection Measures for Exploratory Wells on the Baca National Wildlife Refuge in Southern Colorado
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has determined a Finding of No Significant Impact for the final environmental assessment of the ‘Planned Oil and Gas Exploration on Baca National Wildlife Refuge, in Saguache County, Colorado.’ The Service is proposing stipulations and recommendations to protect the surface estate and other resources of the Baca National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) from unreasonable damage during all phases of the oil and gas exploration to be conducted by Lexam Explorations (U.S.A.) Inc. This includes drilling two exploratory gas wells on the Refuge. Any additional exploration wells or activities supporting the production of natural gas or oil will be analyzed through an additional and separate public process. The Service seeks to protect refuge resources while honoring Lexam’s vested rights to explore the mineral estate they own.News Release
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Lynx Comment Period Extended Until November 20, 2008
The Fish and Wildlife Service is revising the critical habitat designation for the Canada lynx. On February 28, 2008, the Service proposed to designate approximately 42,753 square miles of habitat in portions of northern Maine, northeastern Minnesota, the Northern Rocky Mountains (northwestern Montana and northeastern Idaho), the Northern Cascades (north-central Washington), and the Greater Yellowstone Area (southwestern Montana and northwestern Wyoming). The Service is seeking public comments on a draft analysis that estimates costs related to the designation of critical habitat for the Canada lynx and a draft environmental assessment. Comments and information will be accepted until November 20, 2008.
Public hearings regarding the proposed critical habitat designation will be held in:
- Kalispell, Montana on November 7, 2008 at the Red Lion Hotel, 20 N. Main Street, and
- Cody, Wyoming on November 13, 2008 at the Cody Auditorium, 1240 Beck Avenue.
- A public information session has been scheduled in Orono, Maine on November 10 at the Black Bear Inn.
News Release
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Extends Public Comment Period on Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for Red Rocks Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced it will extend the public comment period on the draft 15-year Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge to November 26, 2008. This new date represents a 30-day extension of the original public comment period, which was scheduled to close on October 27, 2008.
News Release
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South Dakotan Joshua Spies Wins 2008 Federal Duck Stamp Contest!
Joshua Spies, of Watertown, S.D., took first place in the 2008 Federal Duck Stamp Contest with his acrylic painting of a long-tailed duck with a decoy. Second place went to Jim Hautman, of Chaska, Minn., who painted an acrylic of a pair of Canada geese. Gerald Mobley of Claremore, Okla., took third place with his acrylic rendering of a pair of northern shovelers. The Federal Duck Stamp Contest, the only federally sponsored art contest, is conducted annually by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. News Release
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Get Outdoors, It's Yours!
The month of October is ideal for everyone to go outside and connect with the outdoors. This month, we as a nation also observe Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 – October 15, 2008. During this observance, we honor the many accomplishments of Hispanic Americans and recognize their exemplary contributions to America. The national theme is “Getting Involved: Our Families, Our Communities, Our Nation.”
News Release
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Ron Reynolds Receives the National Blue Heron Award
Ron Reynolds with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Bismarck, North Dakota, was presented with the prestigious National Blue Heron Award sponsored by the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. This award recognizes outstanding contributions toward the conservation of waterfowl habitat.Since 1991 Ron Reynolds has served as the Project Leader for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Habitat and Population Evaluation Team. Ron’s contributions to the conservation and understanding of waterfowl and their associated wetland and grassland habitats at state, national, and international levels are substantial. Reynolds is a respected and proven leader in waterfowl and wetlands conservation in the Prairie Pothole Region and his advice and guidance is regularly sought by individuals and agencies throughout the U.S. and Canada.
News Release
Steve Moran Receives the National Blue Heron Award
Steve Moran with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Grand Island, Nebraska, was presented with the prestigious National Blue Heron Award sponsored by the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. This award recognizes outstanding contributions toward the conservation of waterfowl habitat.Moran has served as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Rainwater Basin Joint Venture Coordinator since 1993. During this time, he has worked to form habitat conservation partnerships based on trust and cooperation with many private landowners, thereby achieving unprecedented wetland improvements on private lands.
News Release
Waterfowl Population Status Report for 2008 Now Available
The 2008 Waterfowl Population Status Report is now available. This report incorporates information first presented in the previously released preliminary report “Trends in Duck Breeding Populations, 1955-2008.” In addition, the Waterfowl Population Status Report includes information received subsequent to the release of the Trend Report, including reports on summer habitat conditions and goose and swan population status. Waterfowl Population Status, 2008
Because of concern expressed over the large change in the canvasback population estimate from 2007 to 2008, the Service has recently evaluated survey data and analytical procedures for canvasbacks. This review has led the Service to conclude that the 2008 canvasback estimate is as reliable as past years’ estimates. A summary of this assessment is available: Summary: Evaluation of canvasback population estimates.
Endangered Species Act Protections Reinstated for Northern Rocky Mountain Wolf Population
The U.S. Federal District Court in Missoula, Montana, issued a preliminary injunction on Friday, July 18, 2008, that immediately reinstated the Endangered Species Act protections for wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains. That area includes all of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming and the eastern one-third of Washington and Oregon and parts of north-central Utah. This injunction will remain in place until final resolution of this case occurs. News Release
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A Healthy River Benefits People and Wildlife: Recovery of the Missouri River
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers along with other partners including Tribal nations and states along the Missouri River are working together to implement a river recovery program to ensure the long-term survival of native river species.Visit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Web Site to learn more about how these efforts to restore a healthy river system benefit native species, local economies, recreation, and other interests, while balancing the needs of navigation and commerce.
A Great Day for Endangered Fish in the Grand Valley as Community Celebrates Completion of Capital Projects
On Tuesday, July 1, 2008, the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program hosted a dedication ceremony to celebrate the recent completion of a fish passage at the Price-Stubb Diversion Dam -- the last remaining barrier to fish migration on the Colorado River from Utah’s Lake Powell to the upper end of critical habitat near Rifle, Colorado – as well as completion of other capital projects in western Colorado to improve Colorado River habitat for people and endangered fish. These include fish passages and screens at three privately-owned diversion dams; a hatchery dedicated to raising and stocking endangered fish; canal check structures that help conserve water; a barrier net at a local reservoir that provides sport fishing opportunities; and nearly 2,700 acres of restored floodplain habitat. The dedication also acknowledged the Bureau of Reclamation which acts on behalf of the Recovery Program to oversee all aspects of capital construction projects. Learn More U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Sign Annual Funding Agreement for National Bison Range Complex
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation today signed an Annual Funding Agreement for the National Bison Range Complex, located in Moiese, Montana within the boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation. The agreement was negotiated over the past six months by professional natural resource management staff from both parties with support from Service, Department of the Interior, and Tribal leadership, and outlines the activities the Tribes will perform at the Bison Range during fiscal years 2009 through 2011.
Learn more about the Annual Funding Agreement
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announces Winners of the 2008 Colorado Junior Duck Stamp Contest
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced that Jeriel Chalk, a home-schooled student in Johnstown and repeat contest winner, took top honors by winning the "Best of Show" in Colorado at the 2008 Junior Duck Stamp Contest. Jeriel's artwork was selected from over 400 entries from across Colorado. List Of Winners
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National Web Sites of Interest
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Last updated:
October 26, 2008
