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Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)
Provided important protections to many birds, including the spotted owl, even before the passage of the Endangered Species Act in 1973. -
Spotted Owl Status
The spotted owl was added to the list of protected migratory birds. The Northern Spotted Owl falls under this list. -
Protection Guidelines
The northern spotted owl became a regional concern in the early 1970s when an interagency committee, called the Oregon Endangered Species Task Force, began to develop guidelines for management of northern spotted owls. The criteria for number of spotted owl pairs to be protected and number of acres needed per pair changed through the years.
The Oregon Endangered Species Task Force recommended protection of 290 pairs, at 300 acres per pair.In 1984, 551 pairs of owls were to be protected, -
Endangered Species Act
President Richard Nixon signed the Endangered Species Act into law -
National Forest Management Act
Required the Forest Service to “maintain viable populations of existing native and desired non-native vertebrate species in the planning area.” Scientists worked to predict the necessary amount and distribution of suitable habitat over time, estimate the ability of habitat to support breeding pairs of owls, and analyze genetic and demographic risks to the owls. The purpose of the analysis was to understand the implications of alternatives on northern spotted owls for the first planning period. -
Final Environmental Impact Statement Published
A number of wildlife organizations claimed the plan did not adequately protect owls and their ancient forest habitat, and appealed the regional guide to the Chief of the Forest Service. The Regional Guide and accompanying Environmental Impact Statement were then sent back to the Regional Forester for preparation of a supplement that would more adequately cover spotted owl management concerns. -
Newspaper Articles and Events
The scoping meetings and hearings leading up to the SEIS identified six national public issues.These were:
-The effects of timber harvesting on spotted owl viability;
-The fact that decisions had been based on incomplete biological information and uncertain assumptions of the spotted owl;
-The consideration of a worst-case situation;
-The economic and social effects of protecting spotted owl habitat.
-The effects on other resources of protecting spotted owl habitat;
-Disagreement about habitat. -
Newspaper Events
Many Newspapers were discussing the controversial status of the Spotted owl and Old Growth logging.
Date: 3/15/89 “Real War Being Waged Over Timber Harvest” From: Lebanon Express, OR;
Date: 3/20/89 “Saving Old Timber for Mills, Not Owls” From: Post-Intelligencer, WA;
Date: 3/29/89 “Logging Fest Threatens Ecosystem and Owls” From: Oregon Daily Emerald, OR;
Date: 5/1/89 “Snail Darter Returns – As a Spotted Owl” From: Chronicle, WA;
Date: 8/13/89 “Tug of War Over Huge Old Trees” From: Spokesman. -
Fish and Wildlife Service Proposal to List the Spotted Owl as Threatened
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced its opinion that the spotted owl should be placed on the ‘threatened’ list under the Endangered Species Act. This was a reversal from the agency's decision the year before not to list the owl at all. Many people protested this proposal; claiming that many jobs would be lost. Further research was done on the owl and its habitat, and it was discovered that the old growth logging also harmed the bald eagles. -
More Publicity
The spotted owl controversy made international news. More television programs were aired about the owl and the forests, some of which generated significant public response. Timber sales from the 1989 compromise continued to be logged and generate controversy. It was discovered that nearly 15,000 acres of western Oregon old growth timber, which was occupied by spotted owls, would be logged under the compromise. -
First Threatened
Listed by the Federal Government as a threatened species. -
Revisions; A final on the Northern Spotted Owl
Federal District Court Judge William L. Dwyer ruled on the northern spotted owl lawsuit filed by the Seattle Audubon Society against the Forest Service. Two months later, on May 23, 1991, Dwyer released a related judgment directing the Forest Service to revise its standards to protect owls and their habitat. Specifically, the judge ordered the Forest Service to revise its standards and guidelines "to ensure the northern spotted owl's viability" as required by the NFMA. -
Reduction of Coverage to the Owls
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service releases a new recovery plan and reduces the amount of forest land designated as critical to the owl's recovery. The 30-year plan is projected to cost $489.2 million. The plan identifies invasive barred owls as a primary threat to spotted-owl survival, and eases restrictions on logging in some areas. -
Habitat
Fish and Wildlife Service publishes a revised designation of critical habitat for the northern spotted owl to Federal lands in California, Oregon, and Washington. -
Survey Protocol
A survey and reevaluation of the status of Northern Spotted Owls is managed. Changes to methods of preservation are made. -
Recovery Plan
Recovery plan was announced on this day to help save the Owls. In order to do so, a plan was enacted to reduce loss of habitat and protect the remaining portions. The Spotted Owl's competitor, the Barred Owl, would also be watched and controlled; allowing the Spotted Owl to recover. -
The Northern Spotted Owl's Fate
The Northen Spotted owl has a lot of challenges to face. With the sacrifice of its precious habitat for American jobs, it is hard to say that the battle is over. I believe that in the future we may find a way to sustainably and safely log forests without harming species like this one. It is up to the loggers to replace what they've destroyed and rebuild the home of this magnificent bird.