Recovery Plan for the Northern Spotted Owl - DRAFT

3o Ecosystem Issues: There are other forest ecosystem speciesthat may be candidates for listing under the Act which maybenefit from any recovery plan for the owl. To the extentpossible, the team should assess the relative benefits tothese species from the implementation of various recoveryoptions.o Forest Management Practices: The team should assess thepotential impacts of alternative forest and land managementpractices in determining potential recovery plan scenarios,including the plan's relationship to other land use planningexercises.o Cost to the Public: Potential plan options should documentthe direct and indirect public costs of implementation.The recovery team leader will be responsible for managing theteam, including the preparation of its work plan, staffing andadministration, drafting the recovery plan, and assuring publiccomment. The recovery team coordinator will serve as theSecretary's representative and will be responsible for providinginitial and ongoing policy guidance, through direct and frequentconsultation with the team leader and with other members, asappropriate.The development of a recovery plan for the northern spotted owlmay be the most important effort of its kind since the passage ofthe Act. The potential implications for the survival of the owl,with respect to other economic, social and environmental values,are significant. The results of your work could well have majoreffects on land management at both the Federal and non-Federallevels, and also help to set a precedent for future recovery teamsworking on plans for other listed species. Accordingly, yourdevelopment of the recovery plan for the northern spotted owl hasmy highest expectations as well as my full encouragement andsupport.Please keep me fully informed as milestones in the preparation ofthe draft recovery plan are accomplished.cc:Members of the Northern Spotted Owl Recovery Team641