Fish and Game seeking public input on pelican management plan

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is asking for public input on Idaho's management plan for the conservation of American white pelicans. The ten-year plan (2016-2025) is to conserve American white pelican populations and to manage impacts to Idaho's fisheries. Idaho's pelican population has increased dramatically over the last 25 years from a few hundred breeding birds in 1990 to several thousand breeders in recent years. This is generally considered a positive outcome of pelican conservation in the western population segment. However, the increase in pelicans has also resulted in predation impacts on native cutthroat trout and other important recreational fisheries in southern Idaho. Through this plan, Idaho Fish and Game is proposing a balanced approach that ensures the conservation of pelicans but reduces their impact to other conservation and recreation interests. The draft plan updates population trends, monitoring strategies, and management actions that will help alleviate predation impacts to fisheries in southern Idaho. Because pelicans are protected as a non-game species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Fish and Game will work closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to seek authority for some management actions. Ongoing monitoring of both bird and fish populations will enable an adaptive management approach throughout the life of the 10-year plan. To review the plan and submit comments, go online to Management Plan for the Conservation of American White Pelicans in Idaho on Fish and Game's website at https://idfg.idaho.gov/form/pelican-plan-2016. Copies of the plan may also be obtained at regional Fish and Game offices. Comments may be submitted on the website or mailed to Pelican Plan Comments, c/o Idaho Fish and Game, P.O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707. The deadline for submitting comments goes through April 2, 2016. All public input will be reviewed and as appropriate, will be incorporated into the draft plan. Comments will also be summarized and presented to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission for their consideration.