Originally published August 14, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified August 14, 2007 at 8:44 AM
Spotted-owl plans flunk peer review by scientists
The Bush administration's plans for saving the northern spotted owl from extinction have flunked a peer review by scientists. Under a contract with...
The Associated Press
GRANTS PASS, Ore. — The Bush administration's plans for saving the northern spotted owl from extinction have flunked a peer review by scientists.
Under a contract with the administration, the Society for Conservation Biology and the American Ornithologists' Union said the government did not consider the best available science before making room for more logging in old-growth forests. The organizations reviewed both a draft recovery plan and a proposal to reduce critical habitat for the owl by 22 percent.
The two proposals are key to plans to bring back clear-cut logging in old-growth forests on U.S. Bureau of Land Management forests in Western Oregon in order to restore dwindling timber payments to counties.
The reviewers of the recovery plan said there appears to be a scientific consensus that it would not only fail to bring back owl populations but also would result in downgrading its status from threatened to endangered.
The spotted owl was declared a threatened species in 1990 due primarily to heavy logging in the old-growth forest where it nests and feeds.
Owl numbers have continued to decline, recent research shows.
Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman Joan Jewett said the peer review would be considered before producing a final owl-recovery plan and critical-habitat designations.
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
NEW - 12:56 AM
Arson suspect has long history of setting fires
NEW - 01:27 AM
Band of advocates, activists now McGinn's likely insiders
Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
NEW - 01:26 AM
Kirkland annex 'yes' could be slipping away
Licata looks at boosting traffic-ticket revenue

Opening day at Crystal Mountain
Skiers crowded the slopes at Crystal Mountain for one of the resort's earliest openings.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Seattle U. Men's Hoops | Big recruit goes from Huskies to Redhawks
- Razor found in muffin an accident, 'mortified' baker says
- Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
- Suspect's family shaken by slaying of police officer
- Mountlake Terrace woman reports razor in muffin
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
628 - Seattle man to pack a pistol into community center to protest mayor's ban
180 - Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
177 - GOP clueless as families struggle with health care
156 - ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
125 - KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
124 - Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
110 - Prosecutor weighs death penalty in police slaying
103 - Wright State game thread
96 - Person of interest in custody in connection with Greenwood arsons
93
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- Washington in race for federal education funds
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Goodwill's Glitter Sale is Nov. 14-15
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Boeing: 787 fix is complete on first plane
- Seattle U. Men's Hoops | Big recruit goes from Huskies to Redhawks





