2013-05-07_PERMIT FILE - M2013007

Home Browse Search

April 1, 2013 COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE 1313 Sherman Street, Room 618 - Denver, Colorado 80203 Phone (303) 866 -3437 - FAX (303) 866 -3206 wildlife.state.co.us - parks.state.co.us Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS —R6—ES -2012 -0108 Division of Policy and Directives Management U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS 2042 —PDM Arlington, VA 22203 Re: Docket No. FWS- R6 -ES- 2012 -0108 - Proposed Rule for Gunnison Sage Grouse as an Endangered Species, and Docket No, FWS- R6 -ES- 2011 -0111 - Designation of Critical Habitat for Gunnison Sage- Grouse Attention U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) appreciates this opportunity to comment on the proposed listing of Gunnison sage - grouse (GuSG) as endangered. Colorado contains the majority of the present -day range of GuSG. CPW has led conservation efforts for GuSG for decades, partnering with local governments, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, federal agencies, universities, and landowners to develop a robust and comprehensive program to safeguard the species. Our long history of GuSG conservation includes population protection, monitoring and management, habitat conservation efforts and extensive research. We have significant concerns with the science used to support the listing proposal, and believe that existing data do not support the conclusion that the GuSG is threatened with extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Rather, we believe the best available science demonstrates that the species is sufficiently secure in a significant portion of its range that listing under the Endangered Species Act is not warranted. The vast majority (88 %) of the range -wide population and nearly two- thirds (63 %) of occupied habitat are found within the Gunnison Basin. State- and county -led conservation actions in the Gunnison Basin have produced regulatory certainty in managing major threats to the species. We are addressing concerns about extirpation of the 6 small insular Colorado GuSG populations by augmentation with transplanted birds from Gunnison Basin. It is worth noting that these populations continue to persist, albeit at low levels, since the late 1950s. STATE OF COLORADO John W. Hidkenlooper, Governor . Mike Icing, Exeaitive Director, Department of Natural Resources Rids D. Cables, Director, Colorado Parks and Wilda Packs and Wildlife Commission: Robert W. Bray • Chris Castilian • Jeanne Home BI Kane, Vloe -Chair • Gaspar Penicone • James Pribyl . John Singletary, Chair Mark Smith, Secretary • James Vtgd • Dean Wingfield • Michele Zimmerman Ex Oflido Members: Mike King and John Salazar