Comment on FR Doc # 2010-20522

The proposed action is well justified and the reintroduction will contribute the the recovery of this species. With regard to two questions from the FWS I believe 1) the geographic boundary of the NEP is appropriate, and 2) the introduced cranes will have no negative effects on other native species or ecosystems. The reintroduction should also have no major effects on other land uses in the area. The area is quite isolated from effects of the Deepwater Horizon Spill, so that spill should not threaten or affect the reintroduction. My only concern is with the section on genetics, which is one of my research interests. I question the wisdom of releasing birds that are overly representative of those lineages that have high reproductive success in captivity. As acknowledged, such biases in selecting individuals for release will reduce the genetic diversity in the new population. Furthermore, and of more immediate concern, lineages that are more successful in captivity might well have traits that will make them less successful in the wild. I suggest effort be made early in the program to equalize the contribution of different captive lineages the reintroduced birds as much as possible. However, while I think this concern is important, it should in no way delay the reintroduction effort. If the only way to move this valuable project forward is to release birds from only the most fecund lineages, I would still support the effort.