Scoping Begins for Environmental Assessment on Restoration of Naked Island Group
OutdoorHub 01.31.12
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), along with the U.S. Forest Service-Chugach National Forest (Forest Service), and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (State) announces the beginning of the scoping period for preparing an Environmental Assessment exploring the potential of restoring seabirds, particularly; Pigeon Guillemots in the Naked Island group (Naked, Peak, and Storey Islands) in Prince William Sound through the removal of introduced American mink.
The Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) is now the only marine bird species injured by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill listed as “not recovering” on the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council’s Injured Resources List and they have shown no sign of population recovery. Since 1989, the population of Pigeon Guillemots in Prince William Sound has declined 47 percent and there is no sign of population stabilization. The weight of available evidence indicates the primary limiting factor for guillemot reproductive success and population recovery at the Naked Island group is now predation by a recent introduction of the American mink. Also, nest predation by introduced mink has likely caused declines in other seabirds nesting at the Naked Island group. Given this steady and long-term trend, restoration action is necessary for the recovery of the Pigeon Guillemot population in Prince William Sound. The Naked Island group is historically the most important breeding location for guillemots in Prince William Sound.
The Service is responsible for preparation of this Environmental Assessment. However, the Naked Island group is administered by the Forest Service. As such, this Environmental Assessment must meet all Forest Service requirements and mandates. The State also has an interest in this project in order to ensure their mandate for fish and game management is met.
We request that you become involved in helping develop this Environmental Assessment by expressing your issues, concerns, and ideas. We will be conducting public scoping meetings at the following locations/dates/times.
We hope to see you there.
Public Scoping Meeting Locations/Dates/Times
- Valdez – City Council Chambers, 312 Chenega Avenue. February 21, 2012. 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
- Cordova – Public Library Meeting Room, 622 First Street. February 22, 2012. 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
- Whittier – City Council Chambers, P12 Building. February 23, 2012. 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
- Anchorage – Campbell Creek Science Center, 5600 Science Center Road (off Elmore Road). February 27, 2012. 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
If you cannot attend any of the public meetings, please feel free to contact Environmental Assessment project leader, David Irons by telephone, email, and/or in writing.
David Irons, Seabird Coordinator
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1011 East Tudor Road, MS-201
Anchorage, Alaska 99503 USA
email david_irons@fws.gov
Phone 907/786-3376 Fax 907/786-3641
