The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reopening the public comment period regarding the designation of critical habitat for the western yellow-billed cuckoo.
The period will be open another 60 days, through Jan. 12, 2015, for discussion on the proposal to designate as critical habitat 546,335 acres, spread across 60 separate units in Colorado, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, California, Idaho, Nevada, Texas and Wyoming.
In April, The Denver Post reported that there are about 500 breeding pairs across the West, with 10 in Colorado. One pair may have been spotted along the Piedra River.
The western yellow-billed cuckoos have seen dramatic drops in numbers since the late 19th century, when California was nesting territory for at least 15,000 pairs, according to the fact sheet put out by the Fish and Wildlife Service.
By 1986-1987, a survey found only 30-33 pairs in the state, and other states in the Southwest have seen comparable declines.
“The loss and degradation of native riparian habitat throughout the western yellow-billed cuckoo’s range have played a major role in the bird’s decline,” the fact sheet says. “Residential development, ground-water pumping, agriculture, flood control and nonnative plant invasions all negatively alter the composition of the streamside forests these birds depend on.”
abutler@durangoherald.com
To comment
Visit http://1.usa.gov/1e8Xgpt to learn more about the western yellow-billed cuckoo and the proposed plan to protect its habitat.
Send comments on the proposed critical habitat rule through Jan. 12, 2015, online at the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov. The docket number for the proposed rule is FWS–R8–ES–2013-0011.
Comments may also be mailed to Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS–ES–R8–2013–0011; Division of Policy and Directives Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, MS: BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
People who have already commented do not need to comment again.
