I
Feds increase area of proposed critical habitat for lynx
By Joyce Campbell
Canada lynx could benefit from the proposed protection of about 2,000 square miles of critical habitat in Okanogan and Chelan counties, but conservationists are wondering if it is too little, too late.
Across the lower 48 states, federal wildlife officials propose to establish 42,753 square miles of Endangered Species Act-protected habitat in six states. That would be 23 times the area proposed for designation in 2006, when 1,841 square miles were designated for critical habitat within three national parks, including 135 square miles in North Cascades National Park.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced on Feb. 28 a proposal to revise the amount of protected land for the threatened species after allegations of inappropriate use of scientific information within the agency. The USFWS is revisiting seven other endangered species actions associated with the allegations.
The revised proposal would extend ESA-protected habitat in North Central Washington to include U.S. Forest Service lands and BLM lands, which were excluded in the 2006 proposal.
Other areas critical to maintaining and restoring lynx populations were identified, but excluded in the recent proposal, according to a press release by Conservation Northwest. The Kettle River Range, the Selkirks and southern Cascades, where lynx currently live, are essential to the long-term survival of the species, according to Dave Werntz, scientific director for the Bellingham-based organization.
Remote timber sales planned on the Loomis State Forest and Okanogan National Forest would also impact the survival of the lynx, according to Werntz. "Our state and federal governments should not be planning timber sales in rare and remote lynx habitat," said Werntz. "They should instead focus on thinning areas near communities to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire."
The tufted-eared cats with short black-tipped tails are well equipped to travel over snow and pursue snowshoe hare in boreal forest habitats. They den in piles of large woody debris and thrive in deep, fluffy snow conditions.
All proposed designated habitat areas have recently verified records of lynx occurrence and reproduction, according to the agency.
Public comments will be accepted until April 28. Comments may be mailed to Division of Policy and Directives Management, USFWS, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222, Arlington, VA 22203 or by electronic access at www.regulations.gov
By Joyce Campbell
Canada lynx could benefit from the proposed protection of about 2,000 square miles of critical habitat in Okanogan and Chelan counties, but conservationists are wondering if it is too little, too late.
Across the lower 48 states, federal wildlife officials propose to establish 42,753 square miles of Endangered Species Act-protected habitat in six states. That would be 23 times the area proposed for designation in 2006, when 1,841 square miles were designated for critical habitat within three national parks, including 135 square miles in North Cascades National Park.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced on Feb. 28 a proposal to revise the amount of protected land for the threatened species after allegations of inappropriate use of scientific information within the agency. The USFWS is revisiting seven other endangered species actions associated with the allegations.
The revised proposal would extend ESA-protected habitat in North Central Washington to include U.S. Forest Service lands and BLM lands, which were excluded in the 2006 proposal.
Other areas critical to maintaining and restoring lynx populations were identified, but excluded in the recent proposal, according to a press release by Conservation Northwest. The Kettle River Range, the Selkirks and southern Cascades, where lynx currently live, are essential to the long-term survival of the species, according to Dave Werntz, scientific director for the Bellingham-based organization.
Remote timber sales planned on the Loomis State Forest and Okanogan National Forest would also impact the survival of the lynx, according to Werntz. "Our state and federal governments should not be planning timber sales in rare and remote lynx habitat," said Werntz. "They should instead focus on thinning areas near communities to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire."
The tufted-eared cats with short black-tipped tails are well equipped to travel over snow and pursue snowshoe hare in boreal forest habitats. They den in piles of large woody debris and thrive in deep, fluffy snow conditions.
All proposed designated habitat areas have recently verified records of lynx occurrence and reproduction, according to the agency.
Public comments will be accepted until April 28. Comments may be mailed to Division of Policy and Directives Management, USFWS, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222, Arlington, VA 22203 or by electronic access at www.regulations.gov
