Endangered Species Law & Policy

The Service released a draft Revised Recovery Plan (PDF) for the northern spotted owl dated September 8, 2010.  The species, which inhabits portions of California, Oregon, and Washington, was listed as threatened in 1990.  A chronology of regulatory actions taken by the Service with respect to the northern spotted owl is available here (PDF).  According to a news release (PDF) issued by the Service, "[t]he draft revision is not an overhaul of the existing recovery plan but includes significant refinements based on scientific and technological advancements, especially related to evaluating suitable habitat."  The Service has established a 60-day public review period for the draft Plan.  The prior Recovery Plan was completed in 2008.