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<br />Wyoming, western Nebraska, and north central Colorado. With less than 50,000 reproducing individuals, only
<br />.-.10 of the 14 current populations are considered stable or increasing.
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<br />., The plant is found in moist areas of floodplains and stands 2-3 feet tall with one or a few reddish, fuzzy
<br />stems and white flowers that turn pink or red with age. Only a few flowers are open at. one time and these are
<br />located below the rounded buds and above the mature fruits. Non-flowering plants consist of a stemless, basal
<br />rosette of oblong, hairless leaves 1-7 inches long.
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<br />A species is deemed to be threatened if it is likely to become an endangered species within the
<br />foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Collection of listed plants on federal lands
<br />is unlawful. In addition, proposed federal projects and actions require review to ensure they will not jeopardize
<br />the survival of the species. For private and non-federal landowners, consultations come into play only in cases
<br />where activities involving listed species require Federal funding or permitting. The Endangered Species Act
<br />does not prohibit "take" of listed plants on private laMs.
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<br />USFWS Holds Hearings On Proposal To R~c1assify/Delist Gray Wolves: The USFWS says recovery
<br />efforts for the gray wolf are going so well that it is proposing to reclassify this animal throughout the lower 48
<br />states. As part of the proposal to change the classification of the wolf three hearings have been held, most
<br />recently on Oct. 26 in Denver.
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<br />Under the USFWS' proposal, gray wolves wOllld be divided into four distinct population segments
<br />(DPS): Western Great Lakes population, Northeastem Population, Southwestern population, and a Western
<br />population (includes states of Colorado, Idaho, Monta.na, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and portions of
<br />Arizona and New Mexico). Under the Western Population proposal, wolves would be reclassified from
<br />endangered to threatened.
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<br />Columbian Sharp-Tailed Grouse Not Listetl: On Oct. II the USFWS announced that the Columbian
<br />sharp-tailed grouse, one of seven recognized subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse, does not warrant protection
<br />under the Endangered Species Act. The finding is in response to a petition filed by the Biodiversity Legal
<br />Foundation. After a 1 ~-month review of the grouse's status across its range - encom)>assing Oregon,
<br />Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado and British Columbia - the USFWS found that the
<br />grouse is not at risk of extinction nor is it likely to become at risk of extinction.
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<br />BLM Director Announces Departure: On Nov. 1 BLM Director Tom Fry announced he would be
<br />departing from the agency. Fry, who has been BLM Director since last May, is leaving to become President of
<br />the National Ocean Industries Association.
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<br />Cables Becomes Rocky Mountain Regional Forester: On Oct. 18 Forest Service Chief Mike
<br />Dombeck announced that Lyle Laverty has been named to direct the implementation of the National Fire Plan.
<br />Laverty was appointed Rocky Mountain Regional FOrester in 1997.
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<br />Rick Cables, Regional Forester of the Alaska Region, will replace Laverty. Cables, a native of Colorado,
<br />has 24 years of experience in natural resources management. He has been responsible for managing over 22
<br />million acres of National Forests in Alaska.
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<br />Water Resources Development Act: On Oct. 31 the Senate passed a Conference Committee Report on
<br />S.2796, the Water Resources Development Act of 2000. This omnibus bilI authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of
<br />Engineers to undertake various projects for flood control, navigation, beach restoration, streambank protection,
<br />improving environmental quality, aquatic ecosystem and riverine restoration. The bill enhances the Corps'
<br />ability to address complex water problems across geographic areas through watershed and river basin
<br />assessments in cooperation with other federal, state, tribal and local entities. These assessments IIiay cover a
<br />wide variety of needs, such as ecosystem protection and restoration, flood damage reduction, navigation,
<br />watershed protection, water supply and drought protection.
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