The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has announced the availability of a draft recovery plan for Taylor's checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha taylori) and a 60-day public comment period.
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly is endemic to the Pacific Northwest. Once found throughout native prairies of western Washington, Oregon, and southwest British Columbia, the decline of this butterfly accompanied the loss of prairie and oak meadow ecosystems in the region. This is the first recovery plan for the species, which was federally listed as endangered in 2013.
Working with our partners, the Service uses a range of conservation tools to recover threatened and endangered species. Recovery plans are one such tool, providing a roadmap for recovery of listed species in coordination with public and private partners. A recovery plan provides guidance on how best to help listed species achieve recovery, but it is not a regulatory document.
The recovery strategy seeks to improve: (1) resiliency by building and managing habitat sufficient for large, self-sustaining population complexes that are capable of withstanding stochastic events; (2) redundancy by maintaining and reintroducing multiple population complexes within and across recovery regions to withstand catastrophic events; and (3) representation by maintaining and expanding genetic and ecological diversity.
The public is invited to provide comment on the draft plan through January 17, 2023.
Submitting Comments
To ensure consideration, we must receive written comments on or before January 17, 2023. However, we will accept information at any time. Submit your comments on the draft document in writing by any one of the following methods:
- U.S. mail: Rose Agbalog, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 500 Desmond Dr. SE, Lacey, Washington 98503
- Email: WFWO_LR@fws.gov. Please include “Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly Recovery Plan Comments” in the subject line.
You may obtain a copy of the draft recovery plan online, or by U.S. mail: send a request to Rose Agbalog, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 500 Desmond Dr. SE, Lacey, Washington 98503.
By telephone: 360–753–9440
By email: rose_agbalog@fws.gov
Public Availability of Comments
All comments received, including names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses or other personal identifying information, will become part of the decision record and will be available to the public. If you submit a hardcopy comment that includes personal identifying information, you may request at the top of your document that we withhold this information from public review. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Comments and materials we receive will be available for public inspection by appointment.
