Feds to pause killing of beavers after threat of lawsuit
Feds to pause killing of beavers after threat of lawsuit
Gillian Flaccus, Associated Press Updated 4:53 pm, Wednesday, January 10, 2018
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The U.S. government will temporarily stop killing beavers in Oregon after environmental groups threatened a lawsuit alleging the practice reduces the number of dams that create deep pools that are ideal habitat for young, endangered coho salmon.
In a letter released Wednesday by a coalition of environmental groups, the government said it will further study whether the actions violate the Endangered Species Act.
Wildlife Services, a branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said in the Dec. 27, 2017, letter that it would "cease all aquatic mammal damage management activities" directed at beavers, river otters, muskrats and mink.
Wildlife Services killed more than 400 beavers in Oregon in 2016 as part of a federal effort to control damage to agricultural fields, timber land and roadways caused by flooding that resulted from beaver dams.
More:
http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Feds-to-pause-killing-of-beavers-after-threat-of-12488513.php
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