Environmental Assessment for Fisher Reintroduction Plan Released Today; Public Input Invited

Date: September 7, 2007
Contact: Barb Maynes, 360-565-3005

The Fisher Reintroduction Plan Environmental Assessment (EA) has been released for public review, announced Olympic National Park Superintendent Bill Laitner today. The EA was developed in partnership with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, with collaboration by the Olympic National Forest.

"Thanks to the many thoughtful comments we received during our initial input period, we have been able to craft an EA that not only analyzes the proposal but also addresses the public’s most important questions and concerns,” said Superintendent Laitner. “We now invite interested people to review the full proposal and analysis and share their comments with us.”

Fishers are house-cat sized members of the weasel family and are related to mink, otter and marten. Fishers are native to the forests of Washington, including the Olympic Peninsula, but vanished from the state because of overtrapping in the late 1800s/early 1900s and habitat loss.

“Reintroducing fishers to the forests of Olympic National Park would bring back a native species and restore a natural balance between predators and prey,” emphasized Laitner.

A 30-day public review and comment period for the Fisher Reintroduction Plan EA began today and will continue through October 10, 2007. Interested members of the public are invited to attend a meeting about the proposed fisher reintroduction to be held in Forks on Tuesday, September 18. The meeting will be held at the Washington Department of Natural Resources Conference Room and is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A presentation about the proposal will be followed by an opportunity for the public to ask questions and provide comments.

Public comments may be submitted online by selecting Olympic National Park at the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment website or sent to the following address. All comments must be received by October 10, 2007.

Superintendent – Fisher Reintroduction Olympic National Park
600 East Park Avenue
Port Angeles, WA 98362

Commentors should be aware that their entire comment – including personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While commentors can ask that their personal identifying information be withheld from public review, the NPS cannot guarantee that this will be possible.

More information about proposed Fisher Reintroduction to Olympic National Park.