Contact: Lois Grunwald - office: 805/644-1766

October 7, 2004

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing that no critical habitat be designated for four subspecies of island fox because there are no specific areas on the four islands inhabited by the foxes that meet the Endangered Species Act’s (ESA) definition of critical habitat.

In its proposal, published in today’s Federal Register, the Service finds that because the foxes use a mosaic of habitats on the islands for foraging and breeding, no specific areas are uniquely important; therefore, none can be singled out specifically as critical habitat, as is required under the Endangered Species Act. In addition, major threats to the foxes are disease, predation from golden eagles, and the effects of non-native mammals – not alteration of the islands’ habitats.

“The foxes use virtually all of the habitats on the islands and none of these habitats is threatened – in fact they are protected and managed by several Federal and non-profit organizations,” said Steve Thompson, manager of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s California/Nevada Office.

Critical habitat identifies specific geographic areas that are essential for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species and that may require special management considerations.

Each subspecies of island fox (Urocyon littoralis) inhabits a separate island. The subspecies are: Santa Cruz Island fox (U.l. santacruzae), San Miguel Island fox (U.l. littoralis), Santa Rosa Island fox (U.l. santarosae), and Santa Catalina Island fox (U.l. catalinae). Portions of Santa Cruz, San Miguel and Santa Rosa islands are managed by the National Park Service. The Nature Conservancy manages lands on Santa Cruz Island. Most lands on Santa Catalina Island are overseen by The Santa Catalina Island Conservancy while others are privately owned.

Island foxes are inquisitive, and they generally show little fear of humans. Their backs are grayish-white and black, and their underbellies are dull white. The base of their ears and sides of their necks and limbs are cinnamon-rust colored. They are one of the world’s smallest canid species, no larger than a typical house cat.

This critical habitat proposal for the four subspecies of island fox was completed in response to a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity.

In 30 years of implementing the Endangered Species Act, the Service has found that the designation of critical habitat provides little additional protection to most listed species, while preventing the Service from using scarce conservation resources for activities with greater conservation benefits.

In almost all cases, recovery of listed species will come through voluntary cooperative partnerships, not regulatory measures such as critical habitat. Habitat is also protected through cooperative measures under the Endangered Species Act including Habitat Conservation Plans, Safe Harbor Agreements, Candidate Conservation Agreements and state programs. In addition, voluntary partnership programs such as the Service’s Private Stewardship Grants and Partners for Fish and Wildlife program also restore habitat. Habitat for endangered species is provided on many national wildlife refuges, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state wildlife management areas.

To ensure the public is provided with an opportunity to review and comment on the proposal, the Service will be accepting public comments until December 6, 2004. Comments can be sent to: fw1islandfox@r1.fws.gov. Written comments can also be sent to: Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 2493 Portola Road, Suite B; Ventura, CA 93002. They can also be faxed to 805/644-3958. A final rule will then be prepared. A complete description of the Service's proposed rule can be obtained by downloading the document from the Federal Register Web site or from: http//ventura.fws.gov, by writing to the address above, or by calling 805/644-1766.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 544 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 63 Fish and Wildlife Management offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the ESA, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to State fish and wildlife agencies.

-FWS-

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