HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.03.2024 Board Correspondence - FW_ USFWS Releases Final EIS on Barred Owl Management Strategy.ATTENTION: This message originated from outside Butte County. Please exercise judgment before opening
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From:Clerk of the Board
To:Bennett, Robin; Clerk of the Board; Connelly, Bill; Cook, Holly; Cook, Robin; Durfee, Peter; Jessee, Meegan;
Kimmelshue, Tod; Kitts, Melissa; Lee, Lewis; Pickett, Andy; Ritter, Tami; Stephens, Brad J.; Sweeney, Kathleen;
Teeter, Doug; Zepeda, Elizabeth; Mendoza, Louie
Cc:Nevers, Dawn; Hauck, Janna
Subject:Board Correspondence - FW: USFWS Releases Final EIS on Barred Owl Management Strategy
Date:Wednesday, July 10, 2024 8:29:32 AM
Please see Board Correspondence -
LeAnne Hancock
Management Analyst I
Butte County Administration
T. 530.552.3314
From: Snow, Meghan K <meghan_snow@fws.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, July 3, 2024 11:01 AM
To: Snow, Meghan K <meghan_snow@fws.gov>
Subject: USFWS Releases Final EIS on Barred Owl Management Strategy
Good morning,
Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is announcing its final environmental impact
statement analyzing proposed barred owl management alternatives to protect northern and California
spotted owls in Washington, Oregon and California from invasive barred owls. The Service’s preferred
alternative is the implementation of a proposed Barred Owl Management Strategy, which would result in
the annual removal of less than one-half of 1% of the current North American barred owl population.
Northern spotted owl populations are rapidly declining due to competition with invasive barred owls and
habitat loss. California spotted owls, which are proposed for ESA listing, face a similar risk as barred owl
populations continue to move south into their range.
If the proposed strategy is adopted and fully implemented, lethal removal of barred owls by trained
professionals would occur in less than half of the areas where spotted and invasive barred owls co-exist
within the northern spotted owl’s range; and would limit their invasion into the California spotted owl’s
range. Public hunting of barred owls is not allowed under the proposed strategy and lead ammunition will
not be used for any lethal removal actions.
If the proposed strategy is adopted, the Service would receive a permit under the Migratory Bird Treaty
Act. The Service could then designate interested Tribes, federal and state agencies, companies, or
specific landowners to implement barred owl management on their lands if actions are consistent with the
strategy, conditions of the permit, and state laws and policies. Those who implement the strategy will be
accountable for annual monitoring and reporting.
The final EIS and proposed strategy reflect the input received throughout the scoping and public
comment process, as well as feedback from cooperating agencies and Tribes. The Service expects to
announce a final record of decision on the proposed strategy at least 30 days after the formal publication
of the final EIS in the Federal Register.
More information is available on the Service’s barred owl management website, including the draft and
final EIS, proposed strategy, and FAQs. The final EIS will be available in the coming days in the Federal
at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2022-0074.
For further information, please see the Service’s press release. Please let me know if you have any
questions.
Thank you,
Meghan
Meghan Snow
Public Affairs Specialist, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(916) 539-7494
meghan_snow@fws.gov