November 5, 2021 10:30 a.m.

On Thursday, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission determined land-owning or land-managing state agencies that may have a role in the conservation of marbled murrelet.

A release from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said that species was recently reclassified from threatened to endangered under the Oregon Endangered Species Act. Species listed as endangered require endangered species management plans when they are found on state lands.

ODFW, Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon Parks and Recreation, Oregon Department of State Lands, Oregon Department of Transportation, Oregon Military Department, Oregon Department of Corrections, Oregon Department of Aviation, Oregon Youth Authority and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board could all play a role in conservation as marbled murrelets, or their forest habitat, could be found on their land.

The release said with Commission approval of the list, ODFW will work with designated agencies as they determine the role their land will serve in the conservation of the marbled murrelet. Agencies must submit their plans for Commission consideration within 18 months of the July 15th, 2021 listing decision.

In the meantime, the OSEA also requires that all state agencies must follow survival guidelines, which were adopted by the Commission in July. These serve as interim protection measures until formal management plans are approved by the Commission by June 2023.