Comment on FR Doc # 2011-18561

I am writing in support of the proposal to establish a reintroduced population of the Endangered American Burying Beetle (ABB) in Missouri, and to designate this population as a Nonessential Experimental Population under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act. I have served as an Assistant Director of the MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, and have been responsible for the agency's Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program for the past 27 years. I developed the initial plan to reintroduce the ABB to Penikese Isl., MA begining in 1990 and was involved in initiating the reintroduction to Nantucket Isl., MA begining in 1994. The methodologies for captive propagation and successful release of adult pairs are well established. It is my belief that it is appropriate to designate the four county area surrounding the release site as a Nonessential Experimental Population to reduce any potential regulatory burden. Considering the large areas of protected habitat that is already managed in the vicinity of the proposed release site, I do not believe there is a need to restrict any existing uses of privately owned lands as a result of the establishment of this population. The proposed methods for aquiring wild ABBs to be used for captive propagation and release, will not harm the donor population and will provide the necessary genetic diversity. Using the proposed protocols, I believe this project has a good chance of success.