Common Contracts

Safe Harbor Agreement for the Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel

March 12th, 2002

• Filed
  March 12th, 2002

The species covered by this Safe Harbor Agreement (Agreement) between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and Bob and Peggy Mack (the Permittees) is the northern Idaho ground squirrel (Spermophilus brunneus brunneus). On March 23, 1998, the FWS published in the Federal Register a proposed rule to list the northern Idaho ground squirrel as threatened, under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), throughout its range in Adams and Valley Counties, Idaho (FR 63:13825). The FWS reviewed the status of the species and concluded that the population of this subspecies has declined significantly since 1985. As noted in the proposed rule, the estimated total population in 1985 was about 5,000 animals but by 1998, the total population of this subspecies had declined to about 700 individuals. Based on field surveys during the spring and summer of 1999 (Haak 2000), and other information, the total population size could currently be as low as 300-400 individuals (R. Howard, pers. comm.). The northern