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<DIV><SPAN class=582364221-20072009><FONT size=4><STRONG>Joint
Statement</STRONG></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=582364221-20072009>US Fish & Wildlife Service -- <SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">Lee
Folliard, FWS:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>503-231-6179</SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=582364221-20072009>USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
-- <SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">Jill
Rees, NRCS:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>503-414-3273</SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=582364221-20072009>Oregon Department of Forestry -- <SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">Kevin
Weeks, ODF: 503-945-7427</SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=582364221-20072009></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=582364221-20072009>July 21, 2009</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=582364221-20072009></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=582364221-20072009>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">DRAFT SAFE HARBOR AGREEMENT RELEASED FOR PUBLIC
REVIEW<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
/><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Promotes Conservation Projects for the Northern Spotted
Owl in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State
w:st="on">Oregon</st1:State></st1:place><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today opened a 30-day public comment
period on a draft Safe Harbor Agreement and associated 50-year permit for the
enhancement of the survival of the threatened northern spotted owl. The
agreement and permit are designed to encourage forest restoration efforts on
private land that will help recover the species. Notice of the documents’
availability was published in today’s <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Federal Register</I>, and comments must be
received by close-of-business August 20, 2009.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>“We see this as an innovative combination of agency capabilities coming
together to do something very positive for private forest landowners and
northern spotted owls,” said Paul Henson, state supervisor for the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service in <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Oregon</st1:place></st1:State>.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>“<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Oregon</st1:State></st1:place>
values innovative approaches for balancing the environmental, economic and
social benefits of our forests,” said <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Jim
Paul</st1:PersonName>, chief of the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Private
Forests Division. “<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Safe</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Harbor</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> is a voluntary approach forest
landowners can opt for to meet the objectives of the Endangered Species Act for
protecting owl habitat while also meeting their land management goals.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This is our first effort at providing
this type of assurance through Stewardship Agreements.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If this proves of value to landowners we
may have the opportunity to apply a similar approach to other species in the
future.”</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“This is a unique, incentive-based approach to
conservation of a federally listed species. The effort will further species
recovery while allowing forest landowners to continue earning a profit from
their working lands,” explained Ron Alvarado, state conservationist for the USDA
Natural Resources Conservation Service. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="BACKGROUND: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>The Safe Harbor Agreement and associated permit cover the range of the
spotted owl in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State
w:st="on">Oregon</st1:State></st1:place> and were developed in partnership by
Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS),
and the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF).<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>ODF will hold the permit and enroll
landowners with the assistance of the Fish and Wildlife Service.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=BasicParagraph
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>NRCS' Healthy Forest Reserve Program (HFRP), a
voluntary, working lands conservation program under the 2008 Farm Bill, will be
implemented with the Safe Harbor Agreement for eligible applicants. The focus of
HFRP in <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Oregon</st1:place></st1:State>
is to help landowners improve habitat for the threatened northern spotted owl on
lands managed under sustainable forest practices. Landowners who elect to
participate in HFRP will be able to enroll in the Safe Harbor Agreement.
</FONT></P>
<P class=BasicParagraph
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Safe</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Harbor</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> Agreements are designed to benefit
federally listed endangered and threatened species by giving landowners
assurances that additional future restrictions will not be imposed by the Fish
and Wildlife Service on their land as a result of their voluntary conservation
actions. In other words; landowners won’t be punished for creating good habitat
for endangered or threatened species through their management. To date, nearly
three million acres of land have been enrolled in Safe Harbor Agreements
nationwide, benefiting a variety of listed species.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>The Healthy Forest Reserve Program has been implemented in eight states
across the nation, with <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State
w:st="on">Oregon</st1:State></st1:place> added in 2009.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This fiscal year, the Oregon NRCS has
$1.7 million for the program. Funding will be used to purchase permanent
easements and conduct restoration activities on private working forests that are
managed to benefit spotted owls. The Safe Harbor Agreement will provide
regulatory assurances to landowners who develop suitable habitat through
HFRP.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>Copies of the draft Safe Harbor Agreement and associated 50-year permit
may be obtained by contacting Lee Folliard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2600
S.E. 98<SUP>th</SUP> Ave., Suite 100, Portland, Oregon 97266; facsimile
503-231-6195; or by making an appointment to view the documents at the above
address during normal business hours. The office phone number is
503-231-6179.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The documents may
also be viewed on the Internet through </FONT><A
href="http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/species/"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/species/</FONT></A><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Written comments should be
submitted to State Supervisor, Fish and Wildlife Service, <st1:address
w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">2600 S.E. 98<SUP>th</SUP> Ave., Suite
100</st1:Street>, <st1:City w:st="on">Portland</st1:City>, <st1:State
w:st="on">Oregon</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode
w:st="on">97266</st1:PostalCode></st1:address>, or by facsimile
503-231-6195.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Comments should
include the name and address of the person commenting, and refer to the “Oregon
Spotted Owl Programmatic SHA.”</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>#<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>#<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>#</FONT></P>
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align=center><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is
working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and
their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a
leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our
scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated
professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work
and the people who make it happen, visit <B>www.fws.gov</B></FONT></FONT></P>
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size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
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size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Frequently Asked
Questions<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><B>How Do <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Safe</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Harbor</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> Agreements Work?</B>
</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>In a Safe Harbor Agreement, the landowner agrees to maintain, create,
restore or improve habitat for endangered or threatened species. The U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, working with the landowner, will establish a baseline
condition for each covered species (the spotted owl in this case).<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Proposed actions must be expected to
result in a net conservation benefit to be eligible for enrollment in a Safe
Harbor Agreement. The landowner may then incidentally take listed species,
generally at the end of the agreement term, as long as baseline conditions are
maintained.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><B>Who Can Get One?</B> </FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>Any non-federal landowner can be a party to a Safe Harbor Agreement.
These agreements are often between the landowner and the Fish and Wildlife
Service or between the Fish and Wildlife Service and other stakeholders (such as
state natural resource agencies, tribal governments, local governments,
conservation organizations and businesses) who work directly with
landowners.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In this case, the FWS
proposes to issue a permit to the Oregon Department of Forestry and they, in
turn, will assist landowners who wish to participate.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><B>How long does it take to develop a <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Safe</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Harbor</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> Agreement?</B> </FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>Many Safe Harbor Agreements can be developed within a few months. More
complex Safe Harbor Agreements will take longer, depending on the species'
ecology, size of the project, number of parties to the agreement, and funding
available for the program.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The
programmatic nature of this Safe Harbor Agreement provides a framework that
allows for a quicker, streamlined approach to facilitate landowner participation
and enrollment.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><B>What if I sell or transfer ownership of my land? Does
the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Safe</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Harbor</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> Agreement go with
the sale?</B> </FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>If you sell or give away your enrolled lands, we will honor the
agreement, providing the new owner signs the original agreement or a new
mutually agreeable one.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><B>Can <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Safe</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Harbor</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> Agreements be Renewed?</B>
</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>Yes, agreements generally can be renewed for as long as the landowner
wishes and as long as the landowner follows the terms of the
agreement.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><B>What are the assurances?</B> </FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will provide assurances that, when the
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Safe</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Harbor</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> Agreement ends, the
participating landowner may use the property in any otherwise legal manner that
doesn't move it below baseline conditions determined at the onset of the
Agreement. These assurances operate with the enrolled lands and are valid for as
long as the participant is complying with the Safe Harbor Agreement and
associated permit. In return for the participant's efforts, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service will authorize incidental take through the section 10 (a)(1)(A)
process of the Endangered Species Act. This permit would allow participants to
incidentally take individual listed species or modify habitat to return covered
species levels and habitat conditions to those agreed upon as
baseline.</FONT></P>
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size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
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size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 6pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana">The
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its
programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age,
disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental
status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs,
reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any
public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of
program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact
USDA's <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">TARGET</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> at (202) 720-2600
(voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director,
Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C.
20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an
equal opportunity provider and employer.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
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