- Author
- Stinson, Derek W. (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife Program)
- Publication Year
- 2020
- Species
- Mazama pocket gopher
- Region
- Puget Trough/Lowlands
- Habitat
- Upland Prairie
- Topic
- Rare Species Recovery
- Full Citation
- Stinson, D. W.. 2020. Mazama Pocket Gopher Recovery Plan and Periodic Status Review. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia.102+vii pp.
The Mazama pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama) was listed as threatened by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in March 2006. The four subspecies found in Thurston and Pierce counties were listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act in 2014. This is the Washington State Recovery Plan and periodic status review for the Mazama Pocket Gopher. This is an update of the 2013 draft recovery plan that was not finalized while genetic analysis was completed, population modeling was done, and our understanding of recovery needs progressed. It updates information on the current distribution and abundance of the species in Washington and describes factors affecting populations and habitat, and prescribes strategies to recover the species, such as protecting populations and habitat and research and monitoring needed to aid in recovery actions. It also identifies population objectives for populations needed for reclassification of the species.
As part of the State’s listing and recovery procedures, the update of the draft recovery plan and status review was available for 90-day public comment period. Responses to public comments on both the 2019 and 2013 drafts are included in Appendix E and F. Comments received were considered in preparation of the final recovery plan. The Department presented a summary of the recovery plan and periodic status review to the Fish and Wildlife Commission at the July 31, 2020 meeting, and the Commission voted to maintain the species status of Threatened on 21 August.