December 1, 2004
2004 Archives
Wintering Whooping Crane Population Reaches Record High in Texas
Just Ahead of the Ultralight-led Cranes, Wild Whooping Cranes Completes Fall Migration to Southeastern U.S.
November 22, 2004
The first of eastern North America's new migratory flock of wild whooping cranes has arrived at its winter home in Florida, as the younger, ultralight-led cranes continued making progress on their first southward migration. The birds are part of an effort by the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP) to establish a self-sustaining wild, migrating flock of whooping cranes in eastern North America.
The five whooping cranes from the Class of 2003 that spent the summer in Michigan are also on their way south for their first unassisted fall migration. Four of them made history once again when they detoured through South Carolina, spending some time on Cape Romain NWR, along the Atlantic coast, before heading north into North Carolina. This is the first time whooping cranes have been in South Carolina in more than a century.
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Northern Spotted Owl still Threatened despite progress in addressing habitat needs
November 18, 2004
After completing a formal 5-year status review of the northern spotted owl, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has concluded that the species continues to warrant the protection of the Endangered Species Act as a threatened species.
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Whooping cranes are halfway through their winter migration
November 12, 2004
The annual whooping crane migration from Canada to Texas has reached its mid point with cranes resting in Oklahoma before reaching their wintering grounds along the Texas coast.
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Dr. John Morgart is new Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Coordinator
November 12, 2004
Dr. John R. Morgart, a wildlife biologist at the Service's Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, has been selected as the coordinator of the high-profile Mexican gray wolf recovery program.
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First Wild Condor Chick Takes Off
November 4, 2004
The first wild-born condor chick to fly in California in 22 years officially fledged Nov. 4 when it took a 150-foot flight. It first left its nest in early September, perching 20-50 feet below the nest cave where it hatched April 9 near the Hopper Mountain NWR, CA.
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Draft Conservation Plan for the Sacramento Mountains Checkerspot Butterfly Is Available for Review and Comment
October 7, 2004
In response to growing interest by the local community to conserve the butterfly, the Service began coordination in 2004 with local and Federal partners to assess current threats to this proposed species and develop a draft Conservation Plan. Comments are due on or before November 8, 2004. A public meeting will be held on October 13, 2004.
Links
- Read the draft Conservation Plan. [1.77MB]
Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund Awards Announced
September 23, 2004
The Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded $70 million in grants to 28 states and one territory to support conservation planning and acquisition of vital habitat for threatened and endangered fish, wildlife and plant species. The grants will benefit species ranging from the Delmarva fox squirrel in the East to peninsular bighorn sheep in the West.
Private Stewardship Grants Program-- Awards Announced For Conservation of Imperiled Species on Private Lands
August 26, 2004
The Service announced today that it is awarding more than $7 million to support efforts on private lands to protect imperiled species through its Private Stewardship Grants Program.
Links
- Read the news release. [90.1KB]
Gray Wolf Back from the Brink - Eastern Population Proposed for Removal from Endangered Species List
July 16, 2004
Three decades after gray wolves were nearly extinct in the lower 48 states, wolves in the eastern U.S. have recovered to the point where they can be proposed for removal from the Federal list of endangered and threatened species.
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Working Together - Partnerships for Endangered Species Recovery
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, the Endangered Species Program is pleased to announce the release of a new poster, Working Together: Partnerships for Endangered Species Recovery. This poster celebrates the many successes achieved by working in partnership with others to conserve our Nation’s threatened and endangered fish, wildlife, and plants.
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Service Publishes Updated List of Candidates
May 04, 2004
If the Service has enough information to propose listing a species as threatened or endangered, but is precluded from taking action by higher listing priorities, that species becomes a candidate species. Twenty-six new species were added to the Candidate list since it was last published in 2002.
Links
- Read the news release [173.13KB]
- Read the new "Candidate Notice of Review." [185.28KB]
Conservation Programs Made Easier for Landowners
April 28, 2004
Private landowners will find it easier to understand and participate in two Fish and Wildlife Service voluntary conservation agreements that benefit imperiled species, thanks to changes in regulations that take effect June 02.
Links
- Read the Federal Register notice. [55.24KB]
Service Announces Conservation Banking Guidance
May 08, 2003
Conservation banking can reduce piecemeal approaches to conservation by establishing larger reserves and enhancing habitat connectivity, while saving time and money for landowners. This guidance details how, when, and where the Service will use this collaborative, incentive-based approach to species conservation.
Links
- Read the guidance. [171.87KB]
- Read the Federal Register Notice of Availability [34.2KB]
Comment Period Reopened for Proposed Revisions to Conservation Agreements
February 23, 2004
Comments will be accepted until March 9, 2004, on a proposal to revise existing permitting regulations for the enhancement of species survival. The proposal was originally published in the Federal Register on September 10, 2003, as "Revisions to the Regulations Applicable to Permits Issued Under the Endangered Species Act."
The revision is designed, in part, to remove a potential disincentive for landowners to manage their property for the benefit of listed and candidate species by allowing for more control over species outside of the area covered by the agreement.
Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund Seeks Grant Proposals
February 11, 2004
The Service announced today it is seeking proposals for grants issued under the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund. Approximately $80 million will be available in Fiscal Year 2004. These grants are offered directly to states and territories, which may in turn distribute them to private landowners and conservation groups.
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Guidance for Issuing Section 10 Permits with No Surprises Assurances
January 30, 2004
On January 28, the Director issued additional guidance to Service employees nationwide about issuing incidental take permits with no surprises assurances, in light of a recent Federal Court decision that struck down our "permit revocation rule" for permits issued under section 10 of the Endangered Species Act and required us to reconsider it and our "No Surprises" rule as well.
The Court did not strike down the No Surprises rule. The Service will continue issuing, renewing, amending, and transferring permits, and these permits will include No Surprises assurances. However, as there are still pending motions in this case, severability language must still be included. For more, please see the Director's January 28th memo [59.1KB].
Private Stewardship Grants Program Seeks Proposals for Funding
January 06, 2004
The Service announced today that it is seeking proposals for private lands conservation funding through its Private Stewardship Grants Program. Approximately $7.1 million will be available in Fiscal Year 2004 to support efforts on private lands to protect imperiled species.
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