The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to revise the critical habitat designation for the Canada lynx in the contiguous United States, a species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The proposal would designate approximately 41,547 square miles as critical habitat within the boundaries of five critical habitat units in the states of Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Idaho, Washington and Wyoming.
Approximately 11,162 square miles of mostly private lands are located in northern Maine in portions of Aroostook, Franklin, Penobscot, Piscataquis and Somerset counties. Timber harvest and management are the dominant land uses within this area. Exclusion of tribal lands and lands managed in accordance with the Healthy Forest Reserve Program, if finalized, would reduce the designation to 10,131 miles.
All areas proposed as critical habitat were naturally occupied by lynx when the species was listed as threatened in 2000; currently support the most abundant, persistent and productive lynx populations in the contiguous United States; and contain the physical and biological features essential to the conservation of the species.
An informational public meeting will be held on Monday, Nov. 4, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Stearns High School auditorium at 199 State St. in Millinocket. Public comments will be accepted until Dec. 26.
Read more and see instructions on how to comment by visiting: www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/pressrel/2013/09252013_revisedCriticalHabitatLynx.php.
