Spotted Owl Recovery Plan Meeting

Help secure a future for our old-growth forests!

This meeting will cover northern spotted owl issues in the range of the northwest forest plan including the north coast of california.

The recovery team needs to hear from you because there are a few industry biologists and representatives on the team that may not act in the best interest of the owl. we need a REAL recovery plan.

///

It is a critical decision time for the northern spotted owl and the old forest habitat it needs to survive--they both need your help. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has convened a team of government and non-government scientific and technical experts to develop a recovery plan for the owl. And the team wants to hear from you.

On Wednesday, August 9th, the public is invited to an open house to learn about efforts to recover the northern spotted owl under the Endangered Species Act. The purpose of the open house is to inform the public about the recovery planning process, introduce the recovery team, and share the team's progress so far. The open house will also give the public and interested parties an opportunity to present views regarding development of the plan.

Conservation Northwest and our allies have worked to bring sound scientific information to the Spotted Owl Recovery Team that would help improve conditions for owls and contribute to their recovery. However, the Recovery Team's decision is far from certain. Please attend the hearing and ask the recovery team to take actions to protect all existing mature and old-growth forests on public lands, and other habitat critical needed for spotted owl recovery. The future of our old-growth forests is at stake.

In Washington and Oregon, we have lost approximately 90% of our old-growth forests to logging and other development. As a result, northern spotted owl populations, an indicator of the health of our old forests, have declined -- dropping precipitously by 40-60% in the last 10 years. Bold, responsible steps are needed to improve the management of their habitat in the Pacific Northwest to improve the health of our forests and prevent the owl from sliding into extinction.

Details:
The open house sessions are not formal public hearings but are designed as listening opportunities for the recovery team to hear from stakeholders and interested parties. A draft recovery plan is expected to be released to the public in mid-November 2006, followed by a 60-day public comment period. Formal public hearings will be a part of this process. A final plan is expected by November 2007.

What:
Spotted Owl Recovery Plan Open House hosted by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

When:
Wednesday, August 9, 2006
1:00-5:00 PM and 7:00-10:00 PM

Where:
Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Blvd., Portland
Meeting Room F150-151

Afternoon Meeting (1:00-5:00 PM) Format:
--The recovery team will give an introductory presentation on the recovery planning process (approx. 30 minutes).
--USFWS has invited specific stakeholders (tribes, timber industry, conservationists, and others) to give brief (approx. 10 minutes) presentations on their issues of concern relating to the recovery of the northern spotted owl.
--If there is time remaining after all invited stakeholders have made their presentations, individuals from the public will be invited to speak (approx. 3 minutes, but if ample time remains, longer presentations will be allowed).
--Written comments may be submitted.

Evening Meeting (7:00-10:00 PM) Format:
--The recovery team will give an introductory presentation on the recovery planning process (approx. 30 minutes).
--Individuals from the public are invited to speak (approx. 3 minutes, but if ample time remains, longer presentations will be allowed).
--Written comments may be submitted.

Come with us! Comment at the Public Open House:
The Recovery Team will hear oral testimony from concerned citizens; hard copies of testimonies are appreciated but certainly not required. It's alright not to be an expert on the specific policies and rules. The important thing is to speak from the heart in layman's terms as a concerned citizen.

Submit Written Comments:
It's very impactful for citizens to attend public hearings and speak on behalf of wildlife. But if you simply cannot attend the public hearing, you can submit written comments. The comment deadline for your letter to be received is August 16, 2006.

Northern Spotted Owl Recovery Team
Attn: Dave Wesley, Team Leader
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
911 NE 11th Ave.
Portland, OR 97232

For content ideas for your letter, please see: http://www.conservationnw.org/press-room/archive/2004/press9-24-04-owlfuture/