Consent 3.
Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting
Community Development
- Meeting Date:
- 10/11/2011
- Title:
- Approve comments on the proposal to revise critical habitat for endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher
- Submitted By:
- Carlos De La Torre, Community Development
- Department:
- Community Development
- Division:
- Planning
Presentation:
No A/V Presentation
Recommendation:
Document Signatures:
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Carlos A. De La Torre
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Community Development Director
Mandated Function?:
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Agenda Item Text:
Approve the comments recommended by the Public Lands Advisory Committee (PLAC) regarding the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service proposal to revise critical Habitat for Endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher
Background:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to revise the critical habitat for an endangered migratory bird, the southwestern willow flycatcher. The proposed revision identifies 2,009 stream miles within the 100-year floodplain of water in California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico.
This proposal to revise the critical habitat designation represents a 283% increase in critical habitat designation as compared to the 2005 critical habitat designation. Out of the proposed 2,009 stream miles, 24 +/- miles are located within Cochise County as compared to the 14 +/- miles that are currently designated as critical habitat, which represents an increase of 71% in critical habitat designation.
The PLAC strongly opposes the proposal to revise and expand the critical habitat designation for the southwestern willow flycatcher within Cochise County. The PLAC strongly believes that well managed agricultural activities including grazing provide for a healthy riparian habitat that allows the southwestern willow flycatcher to proliferate as in the case of the U-Bar Ranch in Southwestern New Mexico. Well managed field irrigation and agricultural activities should be incentivized in an effort to increase riparian habitats that ultimately result in an increase in populations of the southwestern willow flycatcher.
This proposal to revise the critical habitat designation represents a 283% increase in critical habitat designation as compared to the 2005 critical habitat designation. Out of the proposed 2,009 stream miles, 24 +/- miles are located within Cochise County as compared to the 14 +/- miles that are currently designated as critical habitat, which represents an increase of 71% in critical habitat designation.
The PLAC strongly opposes the proposal to revise and expand the critical habitat designation for the southwestern willow flycatcher within Cochise County. The PLAC strongly believes that well managed agricultural activities including grazing provide for a healthy riparian habitat that allows the southwestern willow flycatcher to proliferate as in the case of the U-Bar Ranch in Southwestern New Mexico. Well managed field irrigation and agricultural activities should be incentivized in an effort to increase riparian habitats that ultimately result in an increase in populations of the southwestern willow flycatcher.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
Send the attached letter
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
The Board will not have an opportunity to comment
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
Send the letter directly to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service on or before October 14, 2011 to:
Submitted Electronically: Federal eRulemaking Portal, http://www.regulations.gov
Submitted by Mail: Public Comments Processing
Attention: FWS-R2-ES-2011-0053
Division of Policy and Directives Management
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Service, Suite 222
Arlington, VA 22203