Finally, there might just be some good news for Montana Grayling.
Underscore maybe.
After the debacle of the review opinion from several years ago, the Department of the Interior / Fish and Wildlife Service announced on the 28th of October in the Federal Register the intent to undertake a status review of Arctic Grayling in the Upper Missouri River System.
Most of us didn’t think another review opportunity would come around this quickly.
The review is scheduled to take about a year, with findings to be announced next August. The re-review has come about due to pressure from a variety of sources, through is probably principally due to the pressure from the Tucson based Center for Biological Diversity who’s legal challenge prompted an out of court settlement – another review of the Grayling’s status.
The key issue at hand – considering the ‘biology, ecology, taxonomy, genetics and status of Montana’s grayling’ – are they indeed a ‘distinct population’, a classification necessary to obtain protected status. In 2007 the FWS ruled no.
The Center argues that the fluvial (river resident) Montana Grayling resident in the Big Hole are a distinct population from populations remaining in Canada and Alaska, and further distinct from the adfluvial Grayling populations (live in lakes and migrate to streams / rivers for spawning). I’m not a fisheries biologist, but do have a doctoral science background, and reading through the study data from 2006 and 2007 it sure looks like the Feds missed the call.
The Center for Biological Diversity isn’t always on the mark their pursuits, but they are right on target with this issue.
Read the full notice of intent in the Federal Register here.
Several key points to note:
- The Feds screwed the pooch on the last review of Grayling in this system (announced in April of 2007).
- They are only allowing 30 days for comments on the issue for this current review. Full details about the spectrum of information they’re seeking is available in the Federal Register document above.
- Comment via email via:
- Comment via snail mail at: Arctic Grayling Status Review, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Montana Field Office, 585 Shepard Way, Helena, MT 59601.
They’re not taking faxes so forget about the black page trick.
I know – it’s Sunday, you partied too much last night and you probably forgot to change your clocks with the time change too. Those fighting the battle for grayling need your help on this one – just fire off the email or better yet a letter today….
Tags: Fish Stories
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