Draft Environmental Impact Statement: Predator Damage Management in Idaho

Wildlife Services (WS), a program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, is announcing the availability of its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) evaluating alternatives to address predator damage management to protect agriculture, natural resources, property, and human health and safety in Idaho.  The preferred alternative (Alternative 2) is a modified version of current WS predator damage management activities in Idaho.  Alternative 2 allows WS to respond to requests for assistance with predator damage management on federal, state, tribal, municipal, and private lands using non-lethal and lethal operational and technical assistance strategies.  However, activities to protect natural resources would only include actions to protect Threatened and Endangered Species and limited projects requested by IDFG to enhance big game populations.  Alternative 2 does not include use of M-44s or Livestock Protection Collars for predator damage management.  The DEIS is available for review and comment prior to issuing a decision. 

Opportunity for Public Comment

WS is requesting public comments on the DEIS.  Comments, information, and analyses provided should be as specific as possible and include an explanation of why the information is important to the analysis.

The public comment period will be open for 45 days after the Environmental Protection Agency publishes a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register.  The DEIS is anticipated to be published on September 27 with comments due on November 12.  Once the Notice of Availability is published, WS will post the closing date of the comment period in the docket APHIS-2019-0005 on Regulations.gov.  All comments received on or before the closing date will be considered.

You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal:  Go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket/APHIS-2019-0005

Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:  Send your comment to State Director – Idaho Predator Damage Management EIS, USDA 
APHIS Wildlife Services, 9134 West Blackeagle Drive, Boise, ID 83709.

All comments received, including the names and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record and will be released for public review as required and allowed by law. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

Mr. Jared Hedelius, State Director, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, 9134 West Blackeagle Drive, Boise, ID 83709; (208) 373-1630.