Barred Owl Management Strategy

Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for Adopting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Barred Owl Management Strategy and Implementation of the Barred Owl Management Strategy in Western Oregon

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued a Record of Decision (ROD) adopting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Barred Owl Management Strategy. The ROD authorizes implementation of barred owl management control on BLM-administered lands within the range of the northern spotted owl in western Oregon. BLM will act as a designee under the FWS Migratory Bird Special Purpose permit issued under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This is a procedural Notice of Availability; the full impact analysis resides in the FWS Final EIS (89 FR 55647, July 5, 2024).

Record of Decision for the Barred Owl Management Strategy; Washington, Oregon, and California

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a Record of Decision selecting Alternative 2 (Management Strategy Implementation) from the final EIS for the Barred Owl Management Strategy covering Washington, Oregon, and California. The selected alternative authorizes removal of nonnative barred owls (Strix varia) from identified management areas within the range of the federally threatened northern spotted owl and from invasion pathways into California spotted owl habitat. The EIS analyzed six alternatives including no action. The decision includes issuance of a Migratory Bird Special Purpose permit under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Without management, extirpation of northern spotted owls from major portions of their historic range is considered likely in the near future.

Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Application and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan for the Eastern Indigo Snake; Turner County, GA; Categorical Exclusion

Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Barred Owl Management Strategy; Washington, Oregon, and California