Tweeters,

Thanks to all that responded to me personally on the info I provided about the Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse (CSTG) listing. Here's an update and some other news.

The process to uplist the CSTG is lengthy, and has to do with the packed agendas for the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC), the required public comment periods for rule changes, and the duration needed to "open and shut" the required elements of the Washington Administrative Code.

1. WDFW files forms in the Washington register that announce the potential rule change needed and opens a public comment period.
2. There's an overlapping public comment period for SEPA.
3. There'll be a briefing and public hearing on the potential reclassification to the FWC (likely June) with a briefing and public hearing.
4. The decision will occur at the August FWC meeting.
5. After the decision, the WDFW will file the paperwork to change the rule, which would go into effect 30 days later (September).


Soon, the WDFW will issue Periodic Status Reviews for the pygmy rabbit and sea otter. Those of you that get WDFW news will see it first. Once that news is released, you'll have an opportunity to weigh in on whatever the listing for those species is.

There has been much news lately relevant to Washington wildlife: Recent news examples, include: 1) The Trump Administration's Reinterpretation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act<https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.audubon.org%2Fnews%2F17-former-federal-officials-zinke-dont-change-migratory-bird-treaty-act-0&data=02%7C01%7C%7C32dc5104cd1841345cad08d562aa3a9d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636523405623243198&sdata=1n3UIVNp%2FXbCog3E%2BvM6iYN%2F643FKocODPk6blzotcE%3D&reserved=0>; 2) controversy over federal government's<https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fws.gov%2Fmountain-prairie%2Fpressrel%2F2018%2F01112018_Status_Review_Indicates_Canada_lynx_Recovery_inLower48.php&data=02%7C01%7C%7C32dc5104cd1841345cad08d562aa3a9d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636523405623243198&sdata=g4J8s6Oh3nOPd62nYcZBwsEOsziv4ArZYTPc5M3UB7k%3D&reserved=0> possible step toward delisting Canada lynx<https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spokesman.com%2Fstories%2F2018%2Fjan%2F11%2Ffederal-governments-step-toward-delisting-canada-l%2F%23%2F0&data=02%7C01%7C%7C32dc5104cd1841345cad08d562aa3a9d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636523405623243198&sdata=UTk4GNk1rWTmz66uGdlbEutjTxAzmp9SpFWYNPhJGRs%3D&reserved=0>; and 3) the re-introduction in Congress of Recovering America's Wildlife Act, HR 4647.<https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.congress.gov%2Fbill%2F115th-congress%2Fhouse-bill%2F4647%2Ftitles%3Fq%3D%257B%2522search%2522%253A%255B%2522jeff%2Bfortenberry%2522%255D%257D&data=02%7C01%7C%7C32dc5104cd1841345cad08d562aa3a9d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636523405623243198&sdata=JjyQdaMSrpKFh%2B11M%2BbgoaMe8kro7OOmxg29O9j9q6Q%3D&reserved=0>

That's it for now, and may all your birds be identified,
Denis DeSilvis
avnacrs4birds at outlook.com

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