January 16, 2008
Feds to issue new Lynx habitat ruling
A federal judge yesterday ordered the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to issue new protections for Canada lynx habitat in Maine and other states, possibly adding another layer of review to development proposals for northern Maine.
The USFWS must submit a draft of the new laws by Feb. 18, 2008, and finalize the laws by Feb. 19, 2009, the ruling said. The agency is revising a November 2006 law about Canada lynx habitat that excluded about 10,000 acres of lynx habitat in northern Maine. At the time, some said the agency unfairly left out the Maine land to appease developers with plans for area, such as Plum Creek Timber Co.
The agency will accept public comment after it submits a draft of the law this February. If it is passed, requests for federal permits in the area will need to be reviewed for potential impact on the lynx.
The USFWS must submit a draft of the new laws by Feb. 18, 2008, and finalize the laws by Feb. 19, 2009, the ruling said. The agency is revising a November 2006 law about Canada lynx habitat that excluded about 10,000 acres of lynx habitat in northern Maine. At the time, some said the agency unfairly left out the Maine land to appease developers with plans for area, such as Plum Creek Timber Co.
The agency will accept public comment after it submits a draft of the law this February. If it is passed, requests for federal permits in the area will need to be reviewed for potential impact on the lynx.
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