SW Willow Fly catcher and USDA APHIS.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is considering options for actions it can take to support the conservation of the southwestern willow flycatcher. This endangered bird nests and feeds in dense forests of willow and non-native saltcedar (tamarisk trees) along southwestern rivers.

On October 26, 2018, APHIS will publish a notice of intent in the Federal Register to conduct a scoping process and prepare an environmental assessment for a flycatcher conservation program. This notice identifies potential issues, alternatives, and conservation measures that USDA and APHIS propose to review.

We are requesting public comments from individuals, organizations, Tribes, and government agencies to determine the relevant scope of issues and range of alternatives to be addressed in the environmental process on this topic. The link may be viewed upon publication on October 26, 2018, at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2018-0064. The notice will be available for review and public comment for a 30-day period that ends on November 26, 2018.