Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment Addressing Genetic Management Options for the Florida Panther for Review and Comment

Samenvatting

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the availability for public review of a draft Environmental Assessment addressing genetic management options for the Florida panther, Felis concolor coryi. A single population estimated to number 30 to 50 adults represents the sole known remaining population in the wild. This population utilizes approximately 2-3 million acres of habitat on public and privately owned lands in south Florida. Existing data indicate that the Florida panther will likely to extinct without actions to restore genetic health to the population. The Environmental Assessment examines four genetic management alternatives for the panther. The preferred alternative involves a strategy to restore lost gene flow to the panther from a western Felis concolor population. Copies of the draft Environmental Assessment can be obtained by making requests to the address below. This notice is being furnished under provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act Regulations (40 CFR 1501.7) to obtain comments from other agencies and the public on the draft Environmental Assessment. Following an appropriate public comment and review process, the Service intends to eva