Review Opportunity for Lesser Prairie Chicken Plan

Parts of western and northwest Oklahoma hold some of the last remaining habitat for lesser prairie chickens. The birds are in decline, and efforts are underway by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and its partners to restore and conserve the bird.

Taken as a whole, the plan for conserving the lesser prairie chicken in Oklahoma is known as the Oklahoma Lesser Prairie Chicken Conservation Plan (OLEPCCP), which outlines focal "Core Areas" for lesser prairie chicken conservation. Based on comments received during the Department's recent public review and comment period for the OLEPCCP, additional changes to the boundary of several of the Core Areas have been proposed. The OLEPCCP planning team is currently soliciting review of and comments on the six revised Core Area boundaries (Core Areas 1, 6, 7, 9, 13, 15). Comments will be accepted via e-mail, mail, or hand-delivery. Log on tohttp://www.wildlifedepartment.com/wildlifemgmt/lepc/draft_planning.htm to view the proposed boundary changes.

E-mail comments should be sent to Alex Rizzo atarizzo@zoo.odwc.state.ok.us and should include "OLEPCCP Comments" in the subject line.

All USPS mail comments should be mailed to Attn: OLEPCCP Core Area Comments, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, PO Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152.

Hand delivered comments will be accepted in the Wildlife Division Office (Room 215) at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Central office, located on the southwest corner of NE 18th and Lincoln Boulevard (1801 North Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City). Hand delivered comments should be clearly marked "OLEPCCP Core Area Comments."

The deadline for submitting comments is 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012.

Contact:
Michael Bergin or Micah Holmes (405) 521-3856
Website: www.wildlifedepartment.com
E-mail: info@odwc.state.ok.us