HomeMy WebLinkAbout072122 USFWS Seeks Public Input on Barred Owl Management Strategy________________________________
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Good morning,
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public input in the preparation of a draft Environmental Impact Statement for a Barred Owl Management Strategy to address the threat of
the non-native barred owl to native northern and California spotted owls. This announcement opens a 30-day public scoping period that closes August 22, 2022. The notice is in the Federal
Register reading room today <https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2022-15739/environmental-impact-statements-availability-etc-barred-owl-management-strategy-washington-oregon>
and will publish tomorrow, July 22, 2022.
The Service recently completed a multi-year barred owl removal experiment <https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/WiensEtAl2021.pdf> to test whether northern spotted owls
would benefit from the removal of barred owls. This was the largest field experiment ever conducted of its kind – taking part in three western states and incorporating 17 years of demographic
data on northern spotted owl.
The results from the study show barred owl removal had a strong, positive effect on northern spotted owl survival, which ultimately stopped population declines in areas where barred
owls were removed. Northern spotted owl populations continued to decline sharply in control areas where barred owls were not removed. Information from this study is being used in the
development of the barred owl management strategy.
For more information, a press release and Q&As are located here: https://www.fws.gov/press-release/2022-07/service-seeks-public-input-barred-owl-management-strategy <https://www.fws.gov/press-release
/2022-07/service-seeks-public-input-barred-owl-management-strategy> The press release is also included below. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Andrew LaValle
PRESS RELEASE
Service Seeks Public Input on Barred Owl Management Strategy
Jul 21, 2022
Media Contacts
Jodie Delavan <https://www.fws.gov/staff-profile/jodie-delavan>
PORTLAND, Ore. - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service invites public input in the preparation of a draft Environmental Impact Statement for a Barred Owl Management Strategy to address
the threat of the non-native barred owl to native northern and California spotted owls. This announcement opens a 30-day public scoping period.
Northern spotted owl populations are in serious decline due to competition from the invasive and non-native barred owl, along with past and ongoing habitat loss. Reducing the negative
impacts of barred owls is necessary for the long-term survival and recovery of the federally listed northern spotted owl.
California spotted owls face a similar risk from barred owl competition as barred owl populations continue to expand southward. The Service is taking the lead in developing a Barred
Owl Management Strategy that could be implemented by federal, state or Tribal agencies and other landowners.
“There is a sense of urgency here. The Service looks forward to working with our partners to swiftly develop and implement a management strategy that reduces the harmful impacts barred
owls are having on spotted owls,” said Craig Rowland, acting state supervisor for the Service’s Oregon office. “We are seeking input from all interested parties so we can take the best
possible path forward.”
Public input will be used to prepare a draft Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act. The Service is working with partners and other stakeholders to
consider all possible methods to manage barred owls, including lethal removal.
The Service recently completed a multi-year barred owl removal experiment <https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/WiensEtAl2021.pdf> to test whether northern spotted owls
would benefit from the removal of barred owls. This was the largest field experiment ever conducted of its kind – taking part in three western states and incorporating 17 years of demographic
data on northern spotted owl.
The results from the study show barred owl removal had a strong, positive effect on northern spotted owl survival, which ultimately stopped population declines in areas where barred
owls were removed. Northern spotted owl populations continued to decline sharply in control areas where barred owls were not removed. Information from this study is being used in the
development of the barred owl management strategy.
The Service has opened a 30-day public scoping comment period and is seeking public input to help identify issues and concerns, potential impacts and possible alternatives for the development
and implementation of the Environmental Impact Statement for a barred owl management strategy. Information on how to submit public comments can be found one regulations.gov by searching
under docket number FWS–R1–ES–2022–0074 <https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2022-15739/environmental-impact-statements-availability-etc-barred-owl-management-strategy-washington-orego
n> .
The Service will hold a virtual public meeting July 28, 2022, from 6-8 p.m., Pacific Time. The meeting will include a presentation followed by questions and discussion on the Environmental
Impact Statement process for the management strategy. A link and access instructions to the virtual meeting will be posted to http://www.fws.gov/office/oregon-fish-and-wildlife <https://www.fws.gov/
office/oregon-fish-and-wildlife> at least one week prior to the public meeting date.
For more information about the Barred Owl Management Strategy, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/project/barred-owl-management <https://www.fws.gov/project/barred-owl-management> .
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For
more information about our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov/office/oregon-fish-and-wildlife <https://www.fws.gov/office/oregon-fish-and-wildlife> or
connect with us via Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066771546662> , Twitter <https://twitter.com/usfwspacific> , YouTube <https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=htt
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Andrew LaValle
Public Affairs Specialist
Washington Ecological Services Office
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
www.fws.gov/office/washington-fish-and-wildlife <https://www.fws.gov/office/washington-fish-and-wildlife>
360-628-3810 (c)
I am out of the office every other Friday