Addition of Control Order for Nonnative species in Hawaii

From USFWS

Nonnative species in Hawaii displace, compete with, and consume native species, some of which are endangered, threatened, or otherwise in need of additional protection.  To protect native species, we have proposed a regulation to allow control of Cattle Egrets (Bubulcusibis) and Barn Owls (Tyto alba), two introduced migratory bird species in Hawaii. We also make the supporting draft environmental assessment available for public comment.  Both are available at the Regulations.gov website by entering docket FWS-HQ-MB-2013-0070 on the search page.

Because nonlethal methods have been unsuccessful in reducing the problems caused by Cattle Egrets and Barn Owls in Hawaii and because neither species is native to Hawaii, we are proposing a regulation that would allow take by agencies that have functional and/or jurisdictional responsibility for controlling invasive species and protecting native species in the Hawaiian Islands. The control methods that we propose to authorize are similar to measures allowed in other control orders and encompass a suite of techniques that give wildlife managers flexibility in achieving control of invasive species without causing significant impacts to native species.

Comments may be submitted on the Proposed Rule or the Environmental Assessment by either of the following methods.

• Submit comments to the federal eRulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on Docket FWS–HQ–MB–2013–0070; or

• Mail comments to Public Comments Processing, Attention: FWS–HQ–MB–2013–0070; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 North Fairfax Drive, MS 2042–PDM; Arlington, VA 22203–1610.

Electronic comments must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on February 3, 2014. Comments submitted by mail must be postmarked no later than February 3, 2014.

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LINK: Regulations.gov info page

WHT: US Fish & Wildlife seeking control order for cattle egrets, barn owls