New comment period for endangered species

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced in a press release the reopening of the public comment period for 15 days on a revised proposed rule to list the West Coast Distinct Population Segment of fisher as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. 

The West Coast population of fisher is a member of the weasel family that lives in mixed conifer/hardwood forests in southern Oregon and California.  

The species once was found throughout much of Canada and the northeastern and western U.S. However, stressors such as wildfire, drought, tree diseases, vehicle mortality, predation and exposure to toxins has led to the species’ decline. 

Reopening the comment period will ensure that the latest information regarding the species is incorporated into the final rule, said fish and wildlife officials. 

The press release said the agency will consider all comments received by Jan. 3, 2020. Previously submitted comments do not need to be resubmitted. The original comment period was open from Nov. 7 through Dec. 9.  

Information on how to submit comments is at www.regulations.gov under docket number FWS–R8–ES–2018–0105. Information about the species is at www.fws.gov/cno/es/fisher/.