Mazama Pocket Gopher
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
Thurston County’s long-awaited plan for local management of federally protected species was finally realized Wednesday when a final environment impact statement was released.
Carolina Mejia, Chair of Thurston County Commission, stated that the county’s Habitat Conservation Plan will allow developers to obtain permits for projects in unincorporated Thurston counties once it is approved.
She stated that the County wants this federal permit to ensure that people in our community don’t have to go to the federal government to get a local building permit. It will simplify the permit process, keep decisions local and help us comply with federal conservation requirements.
The EIS is the last step prior to the U.S. The final step before the U.S. is the EIS. This plan will allow the county to permit construction projects and protect habitat for federally-protected species like the Mazama pocket gopher.
Brad Thompson, State Supervisor for U.S., stated that publication of the final EIS was an important step. He said that he looks forward to issuing a decision regarding Thurston County’s permit request in coming weeks. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The final EIS will be published by the USFWS in the Federal Register within the next few weeks. After that, the USFWS will publish the final EIS in the Federal Register within 30 days. The plan may then be adopted this summer.
The Endangered Species act requires that developers get federal approval before they can start projects on land that could provide habitat for federally endangered and threatened species.
Thurston County applied to USFWS for federal permits and drafted the plan after certain species were added on to the ESA lists, according the county. Informational webpage. The affected species include: the Mazama pocket gopher; the Oregon spotted gopher; Taylors checkerspot butterfly; and the Oregon-vesper sparrow.
The HCP is still not in place. A final inspection period for gophers will begin June 1 and end October 31 for anyone interested in developing habitat for the critters. According to the county. The HCP will allow developers to apply for answers and receive information on their development proposals all year, rather than waiting for inspections during active gopher periods.
