CAL4 Cal4Wheel opposes expansion of critical habitat for Sierra Fisher

[Access Issues - California Four Wheel Drive]

Cal4Wheel opposes expansion of critical habitat for Sierra Fisher
Thursday, 19 January 2023

Cal4Wheel submitted comments to oppose the proposed expansion of critical habitat for the Sierra Fisher. The US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) released a revised version of the 2021 critical habitat proposal for the southern Sierra Fisher. The revision proposes designation of approximately 595,495 acres of critical habitat in portions of Fresno, Kern, Madera, Mariposa, Tulare and Tuolumne counties in California, which is an increase of 41,041 acres from the initial proposal.

Cal4Wheel's comments urged the FWS to objectively weigh all points of impact from this proposed listing – not only impact on Fishers, but also, impact on:

• Other species of flora and fauna that reside in the same habitat as Fishers
• General health and resilience of public lands where Fishers reside
• Real and impending increased risk of catastrophic wildfire if additional restrictions on human activity are imposed on Fisher habitat as a result of approving this proposed rule
• Social and economic welfare of humans who reside, conduct commerce, and recreate within the range of habitat occupied by Fishers
• The accurate, factual impact of various human activities on the health of Fisher habitat and conservation of this species, including but not excluded to OHV recreation
• The imperative for FWS to use the most current, accurate, best available science to clearly demonstrate the need and justification for this proposed designation of critical habitat

Read the full comment letter via this link

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Photo courtesy US Fish & Wildlife Service

Rose Winn, Cal4Wheel Natural Resources Consultant
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