Notice of Availability — Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for predator damage management in Idaho

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NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY – 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 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) that evaluates 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 the use of M-44s or Livestock Protection Collars for predator damage management.  The FEIS will be available for review for at least 30 days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register prior to the agencies making or issuing any decisions. 

You may review the FEIS by either of the following methods:

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

•      Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:  Requesting a printed copy of the FEIS by writing to State Director – Idaho Predator Damage Management EIS, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, 9134 West Blackeagle Drive, Boise, ID 83709.

Any letters received, including the names and addresses of the requestor, 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.