[BCNnet] Letters needed for Pygmy Owl Recovery

[redstart@telocity.com]

I got this notice from the Center for Biological Diversity. There is an
urgent need for letters before a Sept 5th meeting.
(To those of you already subscribed to their list, sorry for the duplicate!)

Robbie Hunsinger

___________________________________________________

Your letters are urgently needed to convince Fish and
Wildlife Service officials to release a strong recovery
plan for the Cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl.

A strong pygmy-owl recovery plan is crucial to slowing
Tucson urban sprawl. The recovery plan should improve
a pending critical habitat designation for the species,
guide and improve regional habitat conservation plans,
and improve federal agency oversight of development
permitting. 

Developers have mounted an intense lobbying campaign
to delay release and weaken the plan, and appear to
have the attention of Fish and Wildlife Service decision
makers. A short letter from you or your organization
is essential to help counter their campaign.

Letters will be most effective if received by the Service
prior to a Thursday, September 5th recovery team meeting.
The Service's fax number is (505) 248-6845.

Please personalize the sample letter below and send
or fax ASAP. 

Mr. Dale Hall, Regional Director
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Southwest Region 2 
P.O. Box 1306  
Albuquerque NM 87103-1306

Re: Support for strong pygmy-owl recovery plan

Dear Mr. Hall, 

This letter is intended to express our support for
immediate release of the strongest possible recovery
plan for the Cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl.

A strong, unambiguous pygmy-owl recovery plan is urgently
needed to shape the pending, revised critical habitat
designation, inform and guide regional habitat conservation
plans like the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan, and
improve federal agency coordination and oversight of
development permitting.

Five years ago, the Fish and Wildlife Service found
that the Arizona pygmy-owl population faced "imminent
extinction" when it listed the species as endangered.
Since then, numerous developments have been approved
in the heart of essential owl populations and habitat
without benefit of clear conservation guidance.

The Service should follow the expert recommendations
of the majority of the pygmy-owl recovery team and
recognize the critical need for protection of the Northwest
Tucson subpopulation for recovery, include the 20%
development guideline, include the northern recovery
units, and recognize the value of both upland and riparian
habitat. 

Protection of the Northwest Tucson subpopulation is
absolutely necessary as a minimum of 1/3 of all known
pygmy-owls are located in this area, along with the
largest number of reproductive nest sites and the largest
number of young. Pending further research, the Service
should proceed cautiously and exercise a conservative
conservation approach as recommended by the recovery
team. To do otherwise would reflect a rash and radical
approach to recovery planning not supported by the
recovery team. 

Five years is long enough. Please release a strong
pygmy-owl recovery plan immediately.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,  
(Your name and/or organization)

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l

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