BLM Adopts New Strategy To Help Endangered Northern Spotted Owl Recovery in Oregon
The Bureau of Land Management for Oregon & Washington (BLM) announced plans to implement a U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) strategy to responsibly manage barred owl populations, a significant threat to their northern spotted cousins, on BLM-managed lands.
This will give further protection to Oregon’s endangered northern spotted owls and better prospects for owl population recovery.
BLM Implements Further Protections For Oregon’s Northern Spotted Owl
BLM seeks to sustain America’s public lands’ health, diversity, and productivity for present and future generations. The first comprehensive proposal addressing the significant threat posed by inter-species competition, the DFW proposed management plan was drafted after thorough environmental analysis and significant public involvement.
Although native to eastern North America, barred owls moved west because of human activity. In Washington, Oregon, and California, their burgeoning population now surpasses that of northern spotted owls.
Bigger and more aggressive than northern spotted owls, the barred variety frequently outcompete native spotted owls for nesting spots and prey.
Invasive barred owls, combined with fire and drought-related habitat loss, resulted in rapidly declining northern spotted owl populations despite habitat loss being limited through the BLM’s 2016 Resource Management Plans for Western Oregon. BLM’s barred owl management website contains information and answers to frequently asked questions about the barred owl.
Barry Bushue, BLM Oregon/Washington state director, indicated that northern spotted owls are at a tipping point.
Bushue believes barred owls and their habitat must be managed to save the northern spotted owl species. He said, “If we act now, future generations will still be able to see and hear northern spotted owls in our Pacific Northwest forests.”
The final Environmental Impact Statement and strategy, as well as the record of BLM’s decision to implement the barred owl control plan, are available online and in the Federal Register.