U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The U.S. and Wildlife Service is hosting a public meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2008, at seven p.m. in Grand Marais, to discuss the suggestion to designate critical habitat for the Canada lynx, a federally threatened species. The meeting will be at the Cook Co. Court House, 411 West 2nd Street in Grand Marais.
At the meeting, Ron Moen, from the University of Minnesota/Natural Resources Research Institute, will present information on lynx habitat in Minnesota. Mary Shedd from Superior Countrywide Forest will discuss interagency cooperation for lynx conservation between the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S.F.W.S.. U.S.F.W.S. representatives will provide an overview of the current suggestion to include lands in Minnesota in the critical habitat designation for the lynx. A question-and-answer session will follow. Those wishing to offer comments on the suggestion will be provided with review forms and instructions.
The Service recently suggested to revise the amount of critical habitat designated under the Endangered Species Act for the Canada lynx. In total, the Service is proposing to designate approximately 42,753 square miles of habitat in portions of northern Maine, northeastern Minnesota, the Northern Rocky Mountains (northwestern Montana and northeastern Idaho), the Northern Cascades (north-central Washington), and the Greater Yellowstone Area (southwestern Montana and northwestern Wyoming).
In Minnesota, about 8,226 square miles are suggested in portions of Cook, Koochiching, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, and Superior Countrywide Forest. Of that total, about 5,378 square miles are federal or state lands.
Critical habitat is a term in the ESA that identifies geographic areas that contain features essential for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species and may require special management considerations or protections. The designation of critical habitat does not affect land ownership or establish a refuge and has no impact on private landowners taking actions on their land that do not require federal backing or permits.
Federal agencies that undertake, fund or permit activities that may affect critical habitat are required to consult with the Service to ensure such actions do not adversely modify or destroy designated critical habitat.
More information on the Canada lynx and the critical habitat suggestion is accessible at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/mammals/lynx/index.html. For directions to the meeting, go to: http://www.mncourts.gov/?page=CourtHouseProfile&ID=40014.
The mission of the U.S.F.W.S. is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov
