[silence]

This just in from Conservation NW -- The Rarest Cat Needs Our Voice Canada lynx in Washington are still losing ground -- their essential habitat. The good news: US Fish & Wildlife Service recently released a habitat plan for lynx recovery. A federal judge determined that an earlier version was politically tainted and required revision. The bad news: this new plan doesn't go as far as this beautiful shy cat needs. Particularly important in northeastern Washington State are lands in the Columbia Highlands in the Kettle River Range (including the Wedge) and Selkirk Mountains (Little Pend Oreille and Salmo-Priest). But, we can make a difference. The agency is currently accepting comments on its revised habitat plan for Canada lynx recovery. Please send a comment by April 28, 2008. Go here to see a sample letter (but in your own words plez): http://www.conservationnw.org/wildlife-habitat/revised-habitat-plan-for-lynx#sample-letter Here to submit it online: http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=SubmitComment&o=09000064803cf6fb BTW: critical habitat designation does not prevent management activities, such as logging, from taking place in lynx habitat, but it will require a biologist be at the table when land-use decisions are being made — a simple and sensible step for recovery of the rarest of the three wild cat species remaining in Washington And FYI: Washington State Fish & Wildlife biologist Gary Koehler is one of the country’s leading experts on lynx. WSFW is fully committed to the recovery and conservation efforts of this rare and threatened species: http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/diversty/soc/recovery/lynx/lynx.htm Want a little more background info first? Go here: http://www.conservationnw.org/scat/lynx-short-changed-in-wa

[BeyondLost]

I am happy to see the designation around our property in the upper Methow. Yes, we do see lynx there but sightings are rare. I have seen lynx 6 times in 9 years. We see lynx tracks on our property quite regularly as they come through hunting in the night. This was published in the Methow Valley News last week.

[treeswarper]

I'm sorry, but my opinion is this is just another nail in the coffin for rural areas and folks who live there trying to make ends meet. A good thing for people who want to move and have second homes in "wilderness". But a bad thing that seems to be inevitable for rural folks. No, it officially won't stop "management activities". It'll add yet another restriction to all the other restrictions making any logging even the lightest touch, economically unfeasible. Let me see, here's how it works. Jan 1 to ? Bald eagle nesting--no work March 1 to at least July 1--Spotted owl might be in area but not known for sure but just in case--no work. April ? to August--Might could be a Marbled Murrelet around--no work until August then you can't start up til 2 hours after sunrise and must stop 2 hours before sunset. August thru October--Usually have to go to hootowl hours or shutdown due to fire danger. October to end of year--Rainy season, protect fish, no work. December to April 1--Winter range restriction, no work. Actually, they might as well go ahead cuz the season is pretty much filled up with restrictions. Doesn't the Lynx like to live in Lodgepole pine? Aren't the lodgepole stands pretty much mature and dying from the beetles? The next step is a stand replacement fire. Save the lynx from that? Go ahead. I think I'll take up a different line of work, like carpentry to help build the rural McMansions.

[MadCapLaughs]

[kleet]

[silence]

ok guys .. let's not get personal here plez The lynx (Lynx canadensis) is the rarest of three cat species native to Washington probably numbering fewer than 100 individuals in the state. Most of the lynx habitat in the 6 Lynx Management Zones is on federal lands (~92%), and almost 40% is in wilderness, parks and other reserves. Prior to 1947, lynx in Washington were classified a “predatory animal” with a bounty of $5. Lynx were trapped or hunted until 1991 when a decline was readily apparent. It now seems clear that the lynx population in Washington could not sustain perennial exploitation due to the fragmented nature of subalpine-boreal habitats, low density of snowshoe hares, and variable quality of habitat through time. The lynx was listed as a state threatened species in 1993, and became a Threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) in April 2000. -- WDFW

[treeswarper]

It is very personal. Not necessarily the lynx, but the combination along with all the other stuff. Oh well, we'll become another "mountain" town because some rather well off show biz folks from the South have moved here. Shoulda kept the singlewide just to annoy them.

[MadCapLaughs]

[silence]

treeswarper .. i empathize with your situation -- honest .. and just meant no "name calling" or insinuations about a person's character -- as i was seeing things leading that way and wanted to nip it in the bud i sincerely hope we can manage the lynx recovery fairly for all concerned .. in my opinion this extremely rare cat does have a right to its natural habitat .. and at the very least needs the protection afforded under this plan to help with that -- esp in light of the info i shared above. anyway i certainly appreciate your input .. as we should be exposed to all sides and all opinions here. thanks

[wamtngal]

treeswarper, I think you are missing a vitally important point. The lynx have no voice. You have a voice, which you are using. If people do not look out for creatures, who will? You, at least, can do something about your situation. Look at it from a different perspective, perhaps.

[GlacierGlider]

Survival of the fittest....man...we need think about ourselves also....

[silence]

[GlacierGlider]

Eveolution is proof after 2 million years we are at the top, other species will just have to cope. LOL...I knew I would get a response....in reality I believe that we should do everything in our power to save any species that is in danger. We have populated and ruined this planet and now we have to fix it. But we still need to take everything else into consideration. i think the whole thing about logging is just stupid....just stop the logging in WA all together and let nature take it course...trees have ar ight to live also. The Lynx are a cool animal I did a paper on them and think that we should do everything needed to ensure the species survives.