November 2016 Edition | Volume 70, Issue 11
Published since 1946
WMI Facilitates Novel Approach to ESA Information Gathering for Northern Rocky Mountains Fisher
The Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) recently organized two stakeholder meetings designed to help the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) make a fully-informed decision on the status of the Northern Rocky Mountains (NRM) distinct population segment of fisher. The new approach allowed the Service to supplement their normal process for gathering information to use in making a decision on whether or not a species is warranted for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). During the meetings, participants with different sources of data and different views about data had the opportunity to discuss their information and perspectives. WMI Western Field Representative Chris Smith reported that the discussions were constructive with a great deal of information exchanged. What the long-term outcome will be remains to be seen.
Montana Ecological Services Office Supervisor Jodi Bush, whose office is responsible for completing the SSA, said the meetings were, ?an experiment in trying to improve the way the Service gathers information and helping everyone understand the ESA listing process.?
The meetings gave the Service the opportunity to listen to the discussion and ask questions of those providing data to improve the Service?s understanding of the data and any limitations on its use. The Service?s goal in engaging with diverse interests in these transparent discussions was to increase all parties? understanding of the data that will be considered by the Service in making its decision. The Service believes this will result in a better-informed as well as better-understood final decision.
The first meeting was held in Missoula, Montana on October 11 and 12. A second meeting was held in Coeur d?Alene, Idaho on November 3 and 4. Both meetings followed the same format with the Service providing a brief overview of the general biology of NRM Fisher, the ESA listing process, and their information needs. Participants then spent parts of two days sharing and discussing scientific and commercial data they believe the Service should consider in making its decision.
The information discussed ranged from recent genetic research completed by the Rocky Mountain Research Station, comprehensive distribution surveys, and models of the effects of climate change on habitat suitability to anecdotal observations of trappers, citizen scientists, and Native American traditional ecological knowledge and language. All the parties involved provided positive feedback to WMI and the Service about the meetings and expressed appreciation for the opportunity for an open dialog about the status of NRM fisher.
WMI will prepare a summary of the meetings and a final report for the Service, which will become part of the administrative record for the final decision. In addition to helping the Service, Smith said he hopes the meetings also identify knowledge gaps regarding the NRM fisher that can guide future research and monitoring, as well as increase collaboration among interested parties to address information gaps or conservation needs of NRM fisher. In keeping with WMI?s mission of enhancing the conservation and professional management of North American wildlife, Smith also said these meetings will help evaluate the degree to which this approach reduces questions or controversy regarding the Service?s interpretation and application of data in a listing decision.