DWR looking out for certain species

Have you seen, lately, a zebra-tailed lizard, short-eared owl or long-billed curlew? Or, by chance, a big-eared bat flying about or silky pocket mouse scampering for food or common chuckwalla sitting on a rock? Not likely.

That's because there aren't many of the animals around. Or, for that matter, any of the other 69 animals making it on Utah's proposed Species of Concern List.

The list was compiled by biologist from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and identifies wildlife where there is "credible scientific evidence to substantiate a threat to continued population viability." Meaning, a continued drop in population would push an animal to the threatened and endangered list.

The purpose of identifying the animals now, said Mike Canning, conservation data coordinator for the DWR, is to try and keep them off the federal threatened and endangered list.

"Once on the federal list, the state and the DWR are limited in what they can and can't do to manage the animals, or what the economic impact will be," he added. "Once we complete the list we can focus on the different species, and even with the limited funding we have, we can begin recovery programs."

Habitat restoration will be the main focus in any rebuilding program.

Those species on the federal list, and those on the conservation list agreed to by state and federal authorities are automatically on the concern list.

The independent state list of 75 species will be reviewed by the Wildlife Species of Concern and Habitat Designation Advisory Committee on Sept. 25.

For the first time the public is being invited to respond to the list. Written comments will be accepted this year, but must be received seven days prior to the meeting.

Those comments can be sent to Bob Morgan, executive director, Utah Department of Natural Resources, P.O.Box 145610, Salt Lake City, UT, 84114-5610.

Recommendations to any additions to the list will be reviewed at a later date.

"We're asking the public for input to verify our data, to see if we're right or wrong in listing the animal," Canning said. Those with information about a specific animal are being asked to respond.

Automatic candidates from the federal lists include endangered animals like the desert tortoise, bald eagle, humpback chub and California condor. Those on the conservation list include the Bonneville cutthroat and Columbia spotted frog.

Most Utahns are probably aware of some of the animals on the state list, such as the Yellowstone cutthroat, Bonneville cisco, gila monster, sidewinder rattlesnake, burrowing owl and peregrine falcon.

Deseret News graphic Species of concern Requires Adobe Acrobat.