The public will have the chance to comment as a federal service considers listing the West Coast fisher as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.
Fishers are members of the animal family commonly known as weasels.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced it is seeking information from the scientific community, the public and interested stakeholders on its proposal.
The Service has identified a number of threats to the fisher, including habitat loss and change due to wildfire, certain timber harvest practices in some areas, and rodenticides.
“This is a complex and challenging issue because threats to the fisher vary across its range,” said Robyn Thorson, director of the Service’s Pacific region.
“We are actively seeking input to help determine the magnitude, severity and scope of those threats in each part of its range in California, Oregon and Washington to ensure we base our final decision on the best information available.”
The Service is seeking information on the designation of the West Coast Distinct Population Segment (DPS, a population or group of populations that is discrete from other populations of the species) as a threatened species, and also DPS alternatives as described in the proposed listing.
The listing proposal cites the potential of exposures from the illicit use of anti-coagulant rodenticides on forest lands within fisher habitat as a significant threat to the species.
Rodenticide exposure in fishers has been documented in fisher populations in the reintroduced population at Olympic National Park as well as the Klamath Mountains and in Southern Sierra Nevada (both in California).
Some types of timber harvest and alteration of fisher habitat are a concern, and the Service is hoping to work with federal, state and industry partners.
“The timber industry has been a longstanding and valued partner in efforts to conserve the fisher and will continue to be so should the Service list the species,” said Ren Lohoefener, director of the Service’s Pacific Southwest region.
“We stand ready to work collaboratively with federal, state and private entities to ensure a strong and healthy future for our Pacific forests, the livelihoods they support, and the fisher, while minimizing disruption to timber practices.”
Fishers are found throughout North America.
The West Coast DPS has been reduced in size, and fishers now are found in two native populations within their historical range, once covering most of the forest in California, Oregon and Washington.
Fishers are considered extirpated from Washington and much of Oregon, with the exception of a reintroduced population on the Olympic Peninsula, where 90 fishers were released.
Fisher populations exist in the Southern and Northern Sierra Nevada Mountains, Klamath Mountains, southern Oregon and the Crater Lake area of Oregon.
Public comments will be accepted through Jan. 5, 2015.
Details can be found in the Federal Register notice at http://ift.tt/14oKwbD (search for key word “fisher”), or on the agency website at: http://ift.tt/1vUPaJM.
Comments and information can be submitted:
• electronically at http://ift.tt/MjwdZ7. In the Search box, enter FWS–R8–ES–2014–0041.
• as a Paper copy, via the U.S. mail or hand delivery, to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS–R8–ES–2014–0041. Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, Va. 22041-3803.
The Service will host a series of informational meetings and one public hearing.
The public hearing is scheduled for Nov. 17, 2014, at the Red Lion Inn (1830 Hilltop Drive) in Redding, Calif., from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
Informal informational meetings will be held at the following Washington venues:
• Nov. 20, 2014 — Lacey Community Center (6729 Pacific Ave. SE, Olympia, WA 98503), from 3 p.m.-5 p.m.
• Nov. 20, 2014 — Lacey Community Center, from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
The proposed listing rule is on view at the Federal Register and will officially publish on Tuesday, Oct. 7, opening a 90-day comment period to gather scientific information and comments from the public and stakeholders.
The Service is not proposing a rule under section 4(d) of the ESA concurrent with the proposed listing rule.
It is seeking comments and information regarding the applicability of such a rule for the species.
Under section 4(d), the Secretary of the Interior may modify the standard protections for a threatened species with measures tailored to its specific conservation needs. Strategic application of 4(d) rules can help maximize conservation for a species while also reducing conflicts with people and economic activities.
Additional information is available at: http://ift.tt/1vUPaJM.
The announcement of proposed listing is part of the Service’s efforts to implement a court-approved work plan that resolves a series of lawsuits concerning the agency’s ESA listing duties.
To learn more about the Endangered Species Program visit http://ift.tt/1vUPcRS.
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