1997-06-13_REPORT - M1981302 (12)

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III IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII RECEIVED 6(h&r A s 999 JUN 131997 Date: April 10, 1997 pivision of Minerals&G®olagY To: Bryan Pritchett, Alice Guthrie cc: Jim Crain, Delani Wheeler, Dave Kuntz, Jeff Holland, Rich Smith, RC Staff From: Bob Crifasi, Cary Richardson Subject: Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse On March 25, 1997, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to list the Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei, or"Preble's") as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. We have reviewed the proposal and have met with Federal, State, and Local officials that are affected by this proposal. This memorandum summarizes the proposed rule, discusses opportunities to comment on the proposed rule, identifies potential impacts to the City of Boulder in general and the Open Space and Real Estate Department (OS) in particular, describes state coordination efforts that are presently underway, and outlines a potential City/OS response. In addition, we have arranged for Peter Plage, the Service's project biologist for the Preble's listing brief City staff at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 28 regarding the proposed rule. We will let you know when we arrange a location. Summary of Proposed Rule The Service proposes to list Preble's as an endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended. Preble's is known to occur in only four counties in Colorado, (Boulder, Jefferson, Douglas, and El Paso Counties), and two counties in Wyoming. It lives primarily in heavily vegetated riparian habitats. Comments on the proposed rule from interested parties must be received by the Service by May 27, 1997. Publication of the rule in the Federal Register initiated a 60 day comment period that has at least one potential administrative extension. A final rule will be issued in approximately one year, or perhaps sooner, and will incorporate information obtained from the comments, data obtained during the year and all presently available information. According to the Service, decline of the Preble's meadow jumping mouse is linked to widespread habitat alteration including livestock grazing, water development and management practices, conversion of grasslands to farms, and residential and commercial development. The Service in its Federal Register notice specifically identifies OS properties as having known populations of Preble's and suggests that land management practices may be contributing to the species decline. For example, the Service states: