Issues

WGA Sends Letter to FWS Regarding Voluntary Pre-listing Conservation Agreements.This week, the Western Governors Association sent a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) requesting an extension of the public comment period for the draft Policy Regarding Voluntary Prelisting Conservation Actions. The draft policy seeks to provide incentives for landowners and government agencies to pursue voluntary conservation measures for at risk species prior to a listing decision. While the association welcomed this effort from the FWS, it expressed concern surrounding some of the details of the draft policy. From the letter:

“…the draft policy lacks sufficient detail for states to determine the draft policy’s specific goals and how they will be achieved. A more complete explanation of the policy would help states provide meaningful input.

The policy put in place by FWS should emphasize and encourage measures sufficient to preclude the need for listing, not simply award post-listing credit for prelisting actions. The draft policy discusses how voluntary prelisting conservation actions can be treated as mitigation or compensatory measures when a party seeks an incidental take permit under ESA Section 10 or as a compensatory measure under a Section 7 consultation. Section 7 and Section 10, however, apply only after a species is listed. It is unclear whether and how voluntary conservation measures will be valued by FWS in a pre-determination scenario.”

The association has requested a 90 day extension of the public comment period, ending December 21, 2014. The current comment period currently end on September 22.

LPC Meeting in Oklahoma City. On September 25th, Congressman Lankford (OK-5) will be a hosting a roundtable in Oklahoma City for energy companies enrolled in the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) lesser prairie chicken plan. The event will be held to provide the congressman with additional details surrounding the WAFWA plan, its implementation, and potential impacts on land use. For additional information regarding the meeting please contact Sam McDonald.

Northern Long-eared Bat Listing Debate Continues. Last week, the House Natural Resources Committee held an oversight hearing on the Northern Long Eared Bat in Pennsylvania. The hearing discussed an array of questions surrounding the bat’s population, including the white-nose syndrome disease impacting the bat’s population. Following the meeting, various stakeholders have expressed their own concerns surrounding a potential listing decision.

Neal Lesher, Pennsylvania Legislative Director for the National Federation of Independent Business in Harrisburg, highlighted his disagreement with a potential listing in the Patriot News this week. From his letter:

“The testimony at last week’s hearing made clear that a number of large and small businesses would be dramatically affected if restrictions on this bat’s habitat are put in place.  The timbering companies, and many of those are small family businesses, could be prevented from logging during their busiest season from April to mid-November.  Sawmills, cabinet makers, the wood flooring business, mill workers and pallet companies in turn could have a hard time getting wood to keep their businesses going. Developers and builders will be hamstrung just as the housing market returns. Farmers who manage their forests to make additional income could be prevented from doing so even when minimal timbering is thought to improve animal habitats.”

Mr. Lesher’s response also came in reaction to a letter from Mollie Matteson, a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity. Ms. Matteson, whose organization was part of a 2011 mega-settlement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service resulting in the bat’s proposed listing, criticized the hearing and emphasized the need to list the bat. As she states, “Given that white-nose syndrome has already spread to 25 of the 39 states where the northern long-eared bat is found, it’s clear the future existence of this bat is very much in doubt.”

In the News

BLM energy leases panned in Utah’s Uinta Basin. Salt Lake Tribune. Two leases overlap with critical habitat for the yellow-billed cuckoo, a migratory songbird proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act. It nests along river corridors in the Southwest. Of the 72,440 acres to be leased Nov. 18, SUWA wants 29,440 acres, or 41 percent, either put on hold or leased with stipulations that restrict surface occupancy.

Colorado birds receive protection against wind turbines. Wildlife Extra. The US’ first wind energy legislation to protect birds against wind energy and other renewable energy has been passed. The Bird Protection Act will come into force in January 2015, requiring energy producers to ensure that their facilities protect birds and other wildlife.

Arizona group pushing feds to protect monarch butterflies. White Mountain Independent. The monarch butterfly can be seen in the White Mountains. According to Gail Morris, conservation outreach specialist for Monarch Watch, residents and visitors may catch a view of the colorful butterfly at the Silver Creek Hatchery, a fishing and hunting reserve that doubles as a great place to see the monarch butterfly, just outside Show Low.

Rare Central Valley Beetle Will Retain Endangered Species Protections. Bay Area Indymedia. After a critical review by an independent scientific panel and opposition by the Center for Biological Diversity and Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced on September 16 it is withdrawing a proposal to remove Endangered Species Act protections from Valley elderberry longhorn beetles.

AZGFC Worried Draft EIS for Mexican Wolf Fails to Include AZ Cooperator’s Alternative. Ammo Land. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission (AZGFC) voted recently to take several actions related to Mexican wolf conservation in light of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) recent release of the draft Environmental Impact Statement (dEIS) on proposed rule revisions that govern Mexican wolf recovery.

UM joins sage grouse fight. Montana Kaimin. As the debate of whether or not to add sage grouse to the endangered species list continues, the University of Montana has joined to fight to save the bird. Patrick Donnelly, an ecologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is working with UM’s Avian Science Center to increase the sage grouse population.