Critical Pipeline Replaced at Alchesay NFH
Major repairs impacting the Alchesay National Fish Hatchery (NFH) have been completed. The 3,800 foot long water supply pipeline, which ruptured in May 2009 causing the hatchery to lose one third of its available water at approximately 3,000 gallons per minute, has been replaced.
When the leak occurred, it became the Service’s number one construction priority. “This project is a great example of the Service’s commitment to Native American communities and anglers,” Said Assistant Regional Director for Fisheries Mike Oetker.
Today, the newly revamped pipeline is delivering more water to the facility than it has seen in the last ten years, at a rate of 9,000 to 10,000 gallons per minute. As of the beginning of November, 312,000 rainbow trout have been transferred from Williams Creek NFH to Alchesay NFH. A dedication for the pipeline is being planned for late spring or early summer 2012.
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| Wolf pup. Photo credit: USFWS. |
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Injured Mexican Wolf Dies On Way To Veterinarian
December 2011
On November 23, Arizona Game and Fish Department personnel on the Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team (IFT) were contacted by a member of the public who reported seeing an injured Mexican wolf in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest south of Big Lake, Arizona. The IFT located and observed the wolf the next day by tracking his radio collar signal. After confirming the wolf was injured, the IFT initiated efforts to capture the animal and evaluate its injury.
The IFT captured this wolf on December 3rd and identified it as mp1242, a young male that was born earlier this year into the Bluestem pack. IFT members found that mp1242 had an injured rear leg and was in poor body condition. In phone consultation with a veterinarian, project personnel attempted to implement life saving measures en route to the vet’s office, but the wolf died of its injuries.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) law enforcement agents have opened an investigation and the carcass has been sent to the National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory in Ashland, Oregon, for necropsy.
The Bluestem Pack has two adults (the breeding pair) and, until this death, potentially three or more pups of the year. Two pups were radio collared earlier this summer.
Mexican wolf reintroduction is a joint effort by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department, White Mountain Apache Tribe, USDA Forest Service, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - Wildlife Services, and other stakeholders.
Service Announces a 6-Month Extension of the Final Determination for the Proposed Listing of the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard
to Allow for Additional Public Comment and Discussion
December 2011
On December 5th, 2011, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will publish in the Federal Register a 6-month extension of the final determination of whether to provide protection under the Endangered Species Act (Act) for the dunes sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus) (lizard). The Service is taking this action in order to solicit additional scientific information and public comment before making any final listing determinations regarding the agency’s proposal. Publication of this announcement will reopen the comment period on the proposed rule to list the species for 45 days.
On December 14, 2010, the Service published a proposed rule to list the dunes sagebrush lizard, a lizard known from southeastern New Mexico and adjacent west Texas, as endangered under the Act. In addition to the original comment period associated with the publication of the proposed rule, we held two public meetings in April 2011 and reopened the comment period to accept additional public comments. That comment period closed on May 9, 2011.
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Questions and Answers
Federal Register
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| Mirabal is described as a Native American "Renaissance man." Traveling all over the world to perform, Mirabal has many talents and is an internationally recognized musician and composer. He is also known as a painter, master craftsman, poet, actor, screenwriter, horseman and farmer. Photo credit: USFWS, Joe Early. |
Two-Time Grammy Award Winner Shares his Culture with Southwest Region
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| Opening the presentation, Jacqueline Garreaux-Early shared that she is of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Eagle Butte, South Dakota. Photo credit: USFWS, Joe Early.
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November 2011
The Southwest Region had the honor of hearing from New Mexico native and two-time Grammy Award winner, Robert Mirabal, as he spoke of his Pueblo heritage through music and words. Mirabal maintains a traditional lifestyle, “keeping the centuries-old customs of the Taos Pueblo people.”
Through arrangements made by Native American Special Emphasis Coordinator, Jacqueline Early, Mr. Mirabal graciously donated his time and talents to perform for and educate the employees about the spiritual and cultural connection of the Native people to the land and natural resources that the Service works to protect and conserve.
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Kewa Pueblo Man Pleads Guilty to Violating Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
November 2011
Following an investigation by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement agents, a member of the Kewa Pueblo, formerly known as Santo Domingo Pueblo, pled guilty in Federal Court on November 16, 2011, to violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Aguilar entered guilty pleas to Counts 2 and 3 of a four-count indictment filed on November 10, 2010. Read the Department of Justice's news release for more information.
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Service Announces Draft Environmental Assessment on an Application for an Enhancement of Survival Permit and Draft Safe Harbor Agreement for the Houston Toad
November 2011
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) published a Notice of Availability of the draft Environmental Assessment on an enhancement of survival permit and associated draft Safe Harbor Agreement (Agreement). The requested permit, submitted by the Environmental Defense Fund (Applicant), is for a period of 30 years and would authorize incidental take of the endangered Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis) as a result of conservation actions, land management, and other land-use activities.
The conservation activities are expected to enhance Houston toad habitat, enhance breeding and toadlet emergence, create or enhance the linkage between toad habitat to facilitate dispersal, and increase toad population numbers among other benefits for the toad.
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Federal Register
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Environmental Assessment
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| Left to right: friends group volunteer, Debra Holle, Balcones Canyonlands Refuge Manager; Deputy Regional Director Joy Nicholopoulos, and Paul Dorman hatchery project leader. Inks Dam NFH, October 18, 2011. Photo credit: USFWS,Joaquin Baca. |
Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery Opens New Environmental Educational Building
November 2011
The dedication for the new Environmental Educational building was held on Tuesday, October 18, 2011, at Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery (NFH). With this facility, not only are young people offered the opportunity to learn about their natural environment, they are allowed to see it first hand, at the source.
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| Entrance to the New Environmental Education building and the native plant pollinator garden with the rain catchment system on right. Inks Dam NFH, October 18, 2011. Photo credit: USFWS,Joaquin Baca. |
Visitor Enhancement Funds were used to renovate the 70-year old stone cottage, formerly owned by the Lower Colorado River Authority. The Friends of Inks Dam NFH completed the education building interior renovations and landscaping, donating a total of 934 hours of work. The purpose of the Environmental Education building is to provide interpretive and educational materials and programs that will enhance the visiting public’s appreciation of our Nation’s fish and wildlife resources and encourage use of recreational opportunities provided by the hatchery.
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| Concho Water Snake. Photo credit: USFWS. |
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announces Recovery of the Concho Water Snake
October 2011
Citing the effects of a multi-year conservation effort involving the Colorado River Municipal Water District and other partners, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) today announced the Concho water snake has fully recovered and no longer requires the protection of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In addition, the Service is removing the federally-designated critical habitat for the Concho water snake.
“The ESA serves as a critical safety net for species that are threatened or endangered. The delisting of species such as the Concho water snake represents a conservation success achieved through the efforts of the Service and its partners.” said Dr. Benjamin Tuggle, Regional Director for the Service’s Southwest Region.
The Service’s determination to remove the Concho water snake from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife is based on a thorough review of all available information, including new information, which indicates that the threats to this species have been eliminated or reduced to the point that the species has recovered and no longer meets the definition of threatened or endangered under the ESA.
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Federal Register
FAQs
Service to Reopen the Comment Period on Proposal to Remove Johnston's Frankenia from Endangered Species Act Protection
October 2011
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is reopening the public comment period on the May 23, 2003, proposal to remove Johnston’s frankenia (Frankenia johnstonii) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants. The Service is reopening the public comment period on the delisting proposal given the time that has lapsed since the 2003 delisting proposal. The Service originally proposed delisting Johnston’s frankenia on May 22, 2003, because the population and range of the species is greater than previously known. Unfortunately, the Service was unable to finalize the delisting proposal due to higher priority listing actions.
At this time, the Service is also making available for public review and comment the Draft Post-Delisting Monitoring Plan for Johnston’s frankenia. The Draft Post-Delisting Monitoring Plan was developed in cooperation with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission, The Nature Conservancy and the Texas Department of Transportation.
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Federal Register
Lower Colorado River Authority Transmissions Services Corporation Requests Incidental Take Permit for Two Federally Listed Species
October 2011
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced today in the Federal Register the notice of availability of the draft Environmental Assessment (dEA) and an incidental take permit application for the Lower Colorado River Authority Transmissions Services Corporation (LCRA TSC) that includes a draft Habitat Conservation Plan (dHCP). This announcement begins a 60-day public comment period.
LCRA TSC has developed a draft habitat conservation plan that describes the measures they agree to undertake to minimize and mitigate the effects of incidental take of two federally listed species – the golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia) and the black-capped vireo (Vireo atricapilla) - that would result from activities associated with construction, maintenance, operation and repair of two Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ) transmission lines and their associated access roads. LCRA TSC’s proposed incidental take would occur in nine Texas counties. The purpose of the requested permit is to allow LCRA TSC to maintain the efficiency of its operations, while preserving protected species and their habitat.
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Federal Register
LE investigation leads to guilty plea in death of two Mexican gray wolves
October 2011
On Oct. 6, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a news release with the final outcome of a case investigated by the Fish and Wildlife Service law enforcement. On September 28, 2011, in Las Cruces federal court, two men entered guilty pleas to federal misdemeanor charges arising out of separate incidents during which each man killed a Mexican gray wolf. Each man was charged with taking or possessing a Mexican gray wolf that was part of the Mexican Gray Wolf Experimental Population Area without a permit, a Class B misdemeanor.
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Service Finds Listing Three Arizona Plants Not Warranted
After 12-Month Status Review
October 2011
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announced today the results of a 12-month status review on a petition to protect three plants found in southern Arizona, the Santa Rita yellowshow (Amoreuxia gonzalezii), Huachuca milk-vetch (Astragalus hypoxylus), and Fish Creek fleabane (Erigeron piscaticus) as endangered or threatened, with critical habitat, under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). After review of the best scientific and commercial information available, the Service finds that listing these three plants is not warranted at this time.
These three plant species were petitioned for listing under the ESA in 2007 as part of the 475 species petition by the WildEarth Guardians. In 2009, the Service made a positive 90-day finding for all three species. The primary threats that were listed in the petition were: urban and mining development and grazing for A. gonzalezii; degradation of habitat from livestock grazing, impacts from recreation, and indirect effects on bees to A. hypoxylus; and recreational impacts, poor watershed conditions, flooding, and small population size for E. piscaticus. This positive finding initiated a 12-month status review by the Service.
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Federal Register
Service Determines the Five Central Texas Mussel Species Warrant Protection
Under the Endangered Species Act
October 2011
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced today it has completed a status review for five Central Texas mussel species - Texas fatmucket (Lampsilis bracteata), Texas pimpleback (Quadrula petrina), Golden orb (Quadrula aurea), Texas fawnsfoot (Truncilla macrodon), and Smooth pimpleback (Quadrula houstonensis) – and determined that they warrant listing under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), however, their listing at this time is precluded by higher priority listing actions. The Service made this finding after a thorough review of all the available scientific and commercial information regarding the status of the five Central Texas mussel species and the threats to the species.
The status review was undertaken in response to petitions submitted in 2007 and 2008 by WildEarth Guardians requesting that the Service list a wide array of freshwater mussels found in the southwest. On December 15, 2009, the Service published a 90-day finding in the Federal Register on nine Texas mussels that were included in the 2007 and 2008 petitions including the Texas fatmucket, golden orb, smooth pimpleback, Texas pimpleback and Texas fawnsfoot which suggested that listing the mussel species may be warranted and initiated a status review.
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FAQs
Federal Register
Service Announces a Draft Environmental Assessment on an Application for an Enhancement of Survival Permit for the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard in Texas
October 2011
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will announce in the Federal Register October 6, 2011, a Notice Of Availability (NOA) of a draft Environmental Assessment (dEA) on an application for an enhancement of survival permit under Section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended, for the dunes sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus)(DSL). The application was submitted by The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (TX CPA). The permit application includes the draft Texas Conservation Plan for the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard (TX CP DSL) that will function as a Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) between the Service and TX CPA for the dunes sagebrush lizard (DSL) throughout its range in Texas.
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FAQs
Federal Register
Final Recovery Plan for Bexar County Karst Invertebrates Available
October 2011
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced today in the Federal Register the availability of the final recovery plan (Plan) for nine Karst Invertebrates which occur in Bexar County, Texas. The five year status review for these species, which was just completed, is available at the address below.
The nine Bexar County karst invertebrates were protected as endangered under the Endangered Species Act on December 26, 2000. These invertebrates are troglobites, spending their entire lives underground, inhabiting caves and mesocaverns (humanly impassable voids in karst limestone) in Bexar County, Texas. They are characterized by small or absent eyes and pale coloration. These species are Rhadine exilis, R. infernalis, Batrisodes venyivi, Texella cokendolpheri, Neoleptoneta microps, Cicurina baroni, C. madla, C. venii, and C. vespera.
Karst is a complex geologic formation in central Texas, that contains limestone caverns and sinkholes that have been carved by water.
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Federal Register
County Recovery Plan
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Secretary of Interior, Ken Salazar is joined by Trust for Public Land CEO Will Rogers, Congressman Martin Heinrich, Senator Jeff Bingaman, Fish and Wildlife Service Deputy Regional Director Joy Nicholopoulos, and Bernalillo County Commissioner Art De La Cruz along the Rio Grande Bosque at the future site of the first urban national wildlife refuge in the American southwest. Photo credit: DOI |
Urban Refuge Proposal Gets the Green Light
Interior Secretary and State Leaders Gather to Celebrate
October 2011
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar was recently joined by State Leaders to announced that a proposed 570-acre national wildlife refuge on a former dairy farm just a few miles south of New Mexico’s largest metropolitan area has been approved. Once established, the site will serve as an urban oasis for both wildlife and people, and will become the first urban national wildlife refuge in the southwestern United States.
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Service Determines that Three Moth Species Do Not Warrant Protection Under the Endangered Species Act
September 2011
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced today it has completed a status review of the Tamaulipan agapema (Agapema galbina), Sphingicampa blanchardi (no common name) and Ursia furtiva (no common name) and concluded that they do not warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act (Act). The Service made this finding after a thorough review of all the available scientific and commercial information regarding the status of the Tamaulipan agapema, Sphingicampa blanchardi and Ursia furtiva and the threats to these species.
The status review was undertaken as a result of the June 18, 2007, petition from Forest Guardians (now WildEarth Guardians) requesting that 475 species in the southwestern United States be listed, including Tamaulipan agapema, Sphingicampa blanchardi and Ursia furtiva. On December 16, 2009, the Service published a 90-day finding for 192 of the 475 species, which suggested that listing the three moth species may be warranted and the Service initiated a status review.
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Federal Register
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Kemp's ridley sea turtle. Photocredit: USFWS.. |
Agencies partner to help save endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles
NOAA and USFWS sign bi-national recovery plan for endangered species
September 2011
NOAA’s Fisheries Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Mexican environmental officials today released an updated plan to guide and strengthen the conservation and recovery of the endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. The Bi-National Recovery Plan revises the current recovery plan issued in 1992.
The recovery plan updates the conservation efforts that have proved successful for the Kemp’s ridley. The plan also guides the implementation of research programs that improve understanding of how human activities and natural processes affect the species. The plan also provides criteria for delisting the species. If population growth and recruitment maintain their current rates of increase, scientists estimate Kemp’s ridleys may attain an important delisting criterion of 40,000 nesting females per season over a 6-year period by 2024.
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FAQs
Threatened and Endangered Species: Achieving Recovery and Preventing Extinction
Service Announces Bald Eagles Nesting in Sonoran Desert Area of Central Arizona Removed from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
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| Photo Caption: Bald eagle. Credit: USFWS |
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Sept. 2, 2011
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is issuing a final rule removing the bald eagle in the Sonoran Desert area of central Arizona from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. Today’s action aligns the list with the 2007 delisting decision for bald eagles in the lower 48 states. The bald eagle continues to be protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
News Release
Endangered Species Program
Bald Eagle Regulations
Service Determines the Nueces River and Plateau Shiners Do Not Warrant Protection Under the Endangered Species Act
August 2011
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today it has completed a status review of the Nueces River shiner (Cyprinella sp.) and plateau shiner (Cyprinella lepida) and concluded that they do not warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act. The Service made this finding after a thorough review of all the available scientific and commercial information regarding the status of the Nueces River shiner and plateau shiner and threats to these species.
The status review was undertaken as a result of the June 25, 2007, petition from Forest Guardians (now WildEarth Guardians) requesting that 475 species in the southwestern United States be listed, including the Nueces River and plateau shiners. On December 16, 2009, the Service published a 90-day finding for 192 of the 475 species, which suggested that listing the Nueces River and plateau shiners may be warranted and initiated a status review.
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Federal Register
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Save the Date
The next webinar is scheduled for May 18 and will feature Samuel Cushman, from the U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station. The topic is Climate Change and Connectivity: Assessing Landscape and Species Vulnerability.
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Science Webinar Series Begins April 27
2011
Beginning April 27, the Great Plains LCC will present monthly science webinars featuring GPLCC sponsored research as well as other science topics related to landscape conservation throughout the region. Please join us for these events and continue to check back for future seminars.
Webinar Registration (https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/800571945)
For more information about GPLCC sponsored projects and upcoming presentations, visit our website (www.gplcc.org.) |
