spotted own safe harbor oregon washington 082012

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own property, and caretake our wildlife and natural resources.

For Release on August 20, 2012
Contact: Doug Zimmer, (360) 753-4370

Notice of Availability of SDS and Broughton Lumber Companies
Safe Harbor Agreemment Documents and Request for Public Comments

Today the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the
availability for public comment of a draft Safe Harbor Agreement (draft
SHA), draft Implementing Agreement (draft IA) and a draft Environment
Assessment (draft EA) for SDS Co. LLC (SDS) and the Broughton Lumber
Company (BLC). The companies have applied to the Service for an Enhancement
of Survival Permit (Permit) under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered
Species Act. This Permit allows participating property owners to receive
formal assurances from the Service that, if they fulfill the conditions of
the SHA, the FWS will not require any additional or different management
activities by the participants without their consent, in exchange for
actions that contribute to the recovery of the listed species. In addition,
at the end of the Permit agreement period, participants may return the
enrolled property to agreed-upon baseline conditions.

The permit application includes the three documents named above. The 30-day
comment period ends September 20, 2012.

Copies of the draft SHA, draft IA, and the draft EA, and other relevant
documents addressing the Service’s proposed issuance of the Permit may be
viewed on the internet at: http://www.fws.gov/westwafwo. On the day of
publication in the Federal Register the documents may also be viewed at
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/html/FR/todays_toc.html .
Following that date they can be found at
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=FR . You
may also request copies of the documents by contacting the Service’s
Washington Fish and Wildlife Office at 510 Desmond Drive SE, Suite 102,
Lacey, WA 98503; phone (360)753-9440. They will also be printed in the
Federal Register for today’s date.

The Permit would authorize SDS and BLC to carry out habitat management
measures to benefit the northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina)
which is listed as a threatened species under the federal Endangered
Species Act, and would allow SDS and BLC to manage their lands under the
SHA for the net benefit of the northern spotted owl. At the end of the
Permit period, the Permit participants would be allowed to return their
lands to agreed-upon baseline conditions of the SHA. The proposed term of
the Permit and the SHA is 60 years.

The SHA covers approximately 81,587 acres in Skamania, Klickitat and Yakima
Counties in Washington, and Hood River and Wasco Counties in Oregon. BLC’s
approximately 12,400 acres and SDS’ approximately 69,186 acres are within a
35-mile radius of the SDS Lumber Company’s mills located in Bingen,
Washington.

The USFWS requests public comments on the Permit application, draft SHA,
draft IA, and the draft EA. To ensure consideration, please send your
written comments by September 20, 2012. You can submit written comments
concerning this notice by email to [email protected]. You may also submit
written comments by mail to Mark Ostwald, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, 510 Desmond Drive, Southeast, Suite
102, Lacey, Washington 98503 or via email at [email protected].

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 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 www.fws.gov. Connect with
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www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at
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