Critical habitat proposed for endangered willow flycatcher

Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2004 | 9:36 a.m.

SUN WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed creating critical habitat in Southern Nevada to help save the endangered Southwestern willow flycatcher.

The agency proposed designating 376,095 acres in six states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah to protect the small brown bird, according to a notice in the Federal Register on Tuesday. About 11,948 acres would be set aside along the Muddy, Virgin and Pahranagat rivers in Southern Nevada.

Setting aside protected habitat typically invites controversy -- and lawsuits -- from groups that oppose new land-use limits. Protected habitats limit growth and development, as well as ranching and water projects.

The fish and wildlife agency expects the proposal to be settled by Sept. 30, 2005, according the Federal Register.

The 15-centimeter flycatcher was placed on the federal endangered list in 1995. The number of birds has declined during the last 100 years mainly due to loss and modifications of its habitat, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The flycatcher tends to prefer areas around streams and wetlands.

About 900 to 1,000 breeding pairs remain.