Comments sought on proposed bird habitat

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released for public comment yesterday a proposed rule designating critical habitat for the endangered Rota bridled white-eye—a small forest bird with a distinctive ring of white feathers around its eyes—in accordance with a lawsuit settlement.

The Rota bridled white-eye exists only on the island of Rota.

“Designation of critical habitat is one of the early stages of protecting rare species and provides interested parties the opportunity to provide valuable input,” said David B. Allen, regional director of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Pacific Region. “Critical habitat does not guarantee the survival of a species, but rather the Service looks at this stage as an opportunity to inform the public and foster partnerships with the local government and people of Rota.”

The Service proposed that one unit of 3,958 acres be designated as critical habitat for the species on the island of Rota. The unit was occupied by the Rota bridled white-eye at the time of listing and contains native limestone forest and nonnative forest. The proposed designation consists of 94 percent government land under the jurisdiction of the CNMI and 6 percent private land. Of this, approximately 1,225 acres overlap with existing critical habitat designated for the Mariana crow in 2004.

This critical habitat designation is proposed in response to a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity. On Sept. 14, 2004, a settlement agreement was filed in the U.S. District Court (District of Hawaii) stating that a critical habitat proposal must be submitted by Sept. 7, 2005, to the Federal Register for publication. In addition, the settlement states that final critical habitat be designated and published be Sept. 7, 2006.

Critical habitat is a term in the Endangered Species Act that identifies specific geographic areas that are essential for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species and which may require special management considerations. However, a designation does not affect land ownership or establish a refuge, wilderness, reserve, preserve, or other special conservation area. It does not allow government or public access to private lands and does not close areas to all access or use. Federal agencies that undertake, fund or permit activities that may affect critical habitat are required to consult with the Service to ensure such actions do not adversely modify or destroy designated critical habitat.

In 30 years of implementing the ESA, the Service has found that designation of critical habitat provides little additional protection for most listed species, while preventing the agency from using scarce conservation resource for activities with greater conservation benefits.

In almost all cases, recovery of listed species will come through voluntary cooperative partnerships, not regulatory measures such as critical habitat. Habitat is also protected through cooperative measures under the ESA, including Habitat Conservation Plans, Safe Harbor Agreements, Candidate Conservation Agreements, and state programs. In addition, voluntary partnership programs such as the Service’s Private Stewardship Grants and the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program also restore habitat.

The Rota bridled white-eye is a small (approximately 4 inches in size) yellowish bird with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. Average weight of the bird is about one-third of an ounce. The species feeds primarily on insects and often is found in small flocks of five to seven birds. Related species include the Guam bridled white-eye, which is believed to be extinct, and the Saipan bridled white-eye, which is relatively abundant on Saipan, Tinian, and Aguigan.

Since 1982, the Rota bridled white-eye population has declined by 90 percent, with current estimated numbering 1,092 birds. Possible factors contributing to the decline include degradation or loss of habitat due to development, agricultural activities, predation by introduced rats and black drongos (a bird species from Taiwan), and naturally occurring events such as typhoons.

The Service appreciates all comments on the proposed rule but is particularly seeking information concerning:

* why habitat should or should not be designated and whether or not the benefit of designation outweighs the benefits of not designating critical habitat for the species;

* specific information on the amount and distribution of Rota bridled white-eye habitat, and what habitat is essential to the survival of the species and why;

* land use designations and current or planned activities in the subject areas and their possible impacts on proposed critical habitat;

* any foreseeable economic, or other potential impacts resulting from the proposed designation and any impacts on small entities; and

* whether our approach to designating critical habitat could be improved or modified in any way to provide for greater public participation and understanding, or to assist us in accommodating public concerns and comments.

The Service will consider comments from all interested parties received by Nov. 14, 2005. Requests for public hearing must be received, in writing by Oct. 31, 2005. Comments and materials concerning the proposal may be sent via the Internet to RBWE_CritHab@fws.gov. Include “Attn: Rota bridled white-eye” in your subject header and your name and return address in the body of the message.

Comments and information may also be mailed or faxed to field supervisor Patrick Leonard, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, 300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 3-122, Box 50088, Honolulu, Hawaii 96850 (Fax 808-792-9581).

The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on Sept. 14, 2005. Copies of the proposed rule may be downloaded from the Service’s website at http://pacificislands.fws.gov. or be calling the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Honolulu Office 808-792-9400. (PR)