Comment from Ballinger, Susan
Susan BallingerSupportIndividual
Summary: A biologist supporting the conservation of the Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit expresses support for the proposed programmatic Conservation Benefit Agreement. The commenter argues that the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is the best agency to manage the program due to its proven leadership and the necessity of public-private partnerships on private lands.
I write in support of the proposed programmatic CBA with the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife serving as the sole permit holder, authorized to issue certificates of inclusion to interested landowners. As a biologist accompanying other WDFW biologists, I witnessed the final sighting of a single wild native Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit in Douglas County, between1999-2000. SInce then, I have witnessed the leadership and commitment of the Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife to preserve this species. The program has had remarkable success, despite many setbacks, including large-scale wildfire. The predominance of private lands in Douglas, Grant, Lincoln, Adams, and Benton counties means that the future of Washington's Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits require public-private partnerships. Under USFWS, the WDFW is the best agency to administer this new, streamlined programmatic approach and provide opportunities for additional landowners to enroll in the ongoing conservation program.