States Complete Wildlife Action Plans

States Complete Wildlife Action Plans



Feb 2007 - The U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service has approved wildlife action plans for all 56 
states and territories, Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne 
announced today. 
For the first time, all state and territorial fish and 
wildlife agencies have established comprehensive conservation 
plans that, together, provide a nationwide blueprint of 
actions to conserve imperiled species and prevent them from 
becoming threatened or endangered. 
"The plans identify what species and habitats are declining, 
but not yet officially threatened or endangered," Kempthorne 
said. "By using this information we can act now before it's 
too late." 
"The states possess a wealth of knowledge about the 
conservation issues and wildlife species within their 
borders," said Kempthorne. "These plans tap into this 
expertise and demonstrate our commitment to conservation 
partnerships with the state wildlife agencies." 
"Working together with them, as well as with tribes, local 
governments, conservation groups and private landowners, we 
can help prevent wildlife from becoming threatened or 
endangered," he said. 
Completion of its plan allows each state and territorial fish 
and wildlife agency to continue to receive grants under the 
State Wildlife Grant program enacted in 2001. 
The plans were reviewed by a national team that included 
representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and 
several state fish and wildlife agencies. 
The in-depth approval process took more than a year for some 
action plans. The final nine plans were approved today by the 
Service, covering Massachusetts, Ohio, Colorado, Arkansas, 
American Samoa, Guam, California, Delaware and the District of 
Columbia. 
Each plan must provide information on low and declining 
populations of wildlife and the habitats they require, 
identify problems impacting these populations, identify needed 
research and survey efforts to improve conservation, and 
determine priorities. 
The state plans also must contain specific actions. For 
example, Alabama will use some of the grant money to establish 
a facility dedicated to captive breeding the state's fish, 
mussel, snail and crayfish species of highest conservation 
concern for reintroduction back to the wild. 
Agencies will revise and update their plans at least once 
every 10 years.

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