Comment on FR Doc # E8-24827

I believe that your proposal should designate all areas of habitat needed to support a fully recovered,self-sustaining lynx population, not just those areas currently occupied. This includes areas needed as linkage zones between currently isolated lynx populations. I strongly urge you to increase the proposed Critical Habitat designation in the followings areas: (a) include suitable habitat in the southern Rocky Mountains of Colorado and adjacent states; (b) include suitable habitat in the Idaho panhandle and NE Washington State; (c) expand the Critical Habitat eastward from Yellowstone NP to include the headwaters of the Sunlight Creek watershed (excellent old growth spruce-fir) in Park County, Wyoming; (d) protect linkage zones between these areas. I appreciate the USFWS proposing an improved Critical Habitat designation for the lynx. I strongly support Critical Habitat designation as the most effective means available to protect the necessary habitat to support a fully recovered lynx population.