Spotted Owl = 9.6 million acres

[Grumpy]

For Immediate Release, November 21, 2012
Contacts: Noah Greenwald, Center for Biological Diversity, (503) 484-7495
Joseph Vaile, Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center, (541) 488-5789
Dominick A. DellaSala, Geos Institute, (541) 621-7223

9.6 Million Acres Protected as Critical Habitat for Northern Spotted Owls

Decision Reverses Controversial Bush Administration Cuts to Habitat

WASHINGTON— Conservation groups today hailed protection of 9.6 million acres of critical habitat for the threatened northern spotted owl across federal lands in Washington, Oregon and Northern California, but were deeply disappointed by the exclusion of all private and most state lands, resulting in a 4.2 million cut from the proposed designation. The owl has continued to decline since being protected under the Endangered Species Act in 1990, in part because of continued loss of habitat on private and state lands.

“The forests that owls depend on are the same forests we cherish for clean drinking water, habitat for salmon and other wildlife, and outdoor recreation with our families,â€