HomeMy WebLinkAboutNews Release from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding Proposed Designation of Critical Habitat for Western Yellow-Billed CuckooDepartment of the Interior
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office
2800 Cottage Way, Room W-2605
Sacramento, CA 95825
Phone: 916/414-6600
Fax: 916/414-6713
Website: www.fws.gov/sacramento
August 14, 2014
News
Release
Media Contacts:
Robert Moler, (916) 414-6606; robert_moler@fws.gov (California and Nevada)
Brent Lawrence, (503) 807-4886; brent_lawrence@fws.gov (Washington, Idaho, and Oregon)
Leith Edgar, (303) 236-4588, leith_edgar@fws.gov (Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado)
Tom Buckley, (505) 248-6455. tom_buckley@fws.gov (Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas)
Service Proposes Designation of Critical Habitat for Western Yellow -Billed Cuckoo
Agency Seeks Public Comments by October 14, 2014
Sacramento — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to designate 546,335 acres of critical habitat for
the western distinct population segment (DPS) of the yellow -billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) in 80 separate
units in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. The bird is a
neotropical migrant that winters in South America and nests along rivers and streams in western North America.
"The designation of critical habitat is an important step in recovering the western yellow -billed cuckoo," said
Jennifer Norris, Field Supervisor for the Service's Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office. "Critical habitat
identifies areas with essential nesting and fledgling sites where conservation actions are needed to protect and
recover this imperiled songbird."
In the proposal, the Service is considering excluding approximately 193,347 acres from the critical habitat
designation because of existing conservation plans for those areas that protect the western yellow -billed cuckoo
and its habitat. All proposed critical habitat designations on tribal lands are being considered for exclusion.
In California, 8 units of critical habitat totaling 77,000 acres are being proposed across Humboldt, Colusa,
Glenn, Butte, Tehama, Sutter, Kern, Inyo, Riverside, Imperial, and San Bernardino Counties. California is one
of the few states the western yellow -billed cuckoo continues to live and breed, but overall numbers in the State
are down. 6,563 acres of the proposed designation are being considered for exclusion in California.
Critical habitat is a term in the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that identifies geographic areas containing
features essential for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species, and which may require special
management considerations or protection. Designation of critical habitat does not affect land ownership or
L
r r
establish a refuge or preserve, and has no impact on private landowners taking actions on their land that do not
require federal funding or permits.
On October 3, 2013, the Service proposed to list the western DPS of the yellow -billed cuckoo as a threatened
species under the ESA in the western United States, Canada and Mexico. The listing proposal, which is based on
the best scientific data available, cites threats from loss of riparian habitat and habitat fragmentation as a result of
conversion of land to agriculture, dams and river flow management, bank protection, overgrazing and
competition from exotic plants as key factors in the decline of the western yellow -billed cuckoo.
The Service is seeking information concerning the western yellow -billed cuckoo's biology and habitat, threats to
the species and current efforts to protect the bird. The Service also seeks information on the incremental
economic effects of the proposed critical habitat designation. To access the proposed rules and a specific outline
of information requested by the Service, please go to our webpage at:
http•//www fws aov/sacramento/outreach/Public-Advisories/WestemYellow-
BilledCuckoo/outreach PA Western-Yellow-Billed-Cuckoo.htm.
Comments on the proposed critical habitat rule will be accepted through October 14, 2014. Comments may be
submitted online at the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. The docket number for the
proposed rule is FWS—R8—ES-2013-0011. Comments can also be sent by U.S. Mail or hand delivery:
Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS—ES—R8-2013-001 l; Division of Policy and Directives Management;
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Headquarters, MS: BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls
Church, VA 22041-3803.
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, visit www.fws.gov.
Connect with our Facebook page at httt)://www.facebook.com/usfwspacificsouthwest, follow our tweets at
http://twitter.com/USFWSPaeSWest, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and
download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfws12acificsw/
-FWS-
2of2