The Associated Press and Peninsula Daily News
OLYMPIA — State wildlife managers are seeking public comment on whether to keep northern spotted owls and snowy plovers on the state endangered species list.
Draft status reviews recommend keeping both species listed as endangered.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife periodically reviews the status of protected species in the state.
The public can comment on a list of recommendations through Dec. 8.
Draft reviews of the northern spotted owl and snowy plover are available on the agency’s website at http://tinyurl.com/PDN-northernspottedowls and http://tinyurl.com/PDN-snowyplover.
The northern spotted owl, in mature and old coniferous forest, was listed as endangered in 1988.
At the time of listing, the most important factor influencing the spotted owl was loss of habitat, primarily due to timber harvest, Fish and Wildlife said.
In recent years, the closely related barred owl, which out-competes the spotted owl for resources, has expanded its range and is contributing to spotted owl population decline, according to the state.
The snowy plover, a small bird with gray wings and a white breast, lives mostly in coastal areas of the state. Although its population is increasing, numbers in Washington state remain small, Fish and Wildlife said.
Written comments can be submitted via email to TandEpubliccom@dfw.wa.gov or by mail to Gerald Hayes, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA 98501-1091.
Fish and Wildlife staff will discuss the reviews and recommendations with the state Fish and Wildlife Commission at its January meeting, when a public hearing also is tentatively scheduled.
The commission will make a final determination sometime next year, Fish and Wildlife said.
