Comment on FR Doc # 2012-00479

I am Senior Wildlife Biologist and Forest Sciences Manager for Humboldt Redwood Company, LLC (HRC). HRC owns and manages approximately 210,000 acres of redwood and Douglas-fir forestlands in Humboldt County, CA., within the historic range of the Humboldt marten. I would like to submit comments pertaining to the current range of the Humboldt marten, and on conservation measures for the species and its habitat. 1) Current range: I am aware of 3 furbearer surveys of HRC lands since the late 1980's that have not detected Humboldt marten. From 1988 to 1991 Wildland Resource Managers conducted track plate surveys for Pacific Lumber Co. (now HRC) that detected fisher and other species, but not marten (e.g. Kerns 1988). Beyer and Golightly (1996) reported on track plate surveys on HRC lands that did not detect marten. Finally, since 2000, Pacific Lumber and now HRC have conducted remote camera surveys on the same lands, and have detected fisher and other species, but not marten (e.g. HRC 2011). Thus, it is unlikely that martern currently inhabit this area of Humboldt Co. 2) Conservation measures for the species and its habitat: HRC currently operates under a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for 17 covered species, including the Pacific fisher (PALCO 1999). Conservation measures for the fisher include retention of old growth habitat reserves, mature forest habitat, snags, large downed logs, and large hardwood trees. All of these conservation measures would also benefit the Humboldt marten if it were to expand its current range into southern Humboldt County. Further, HRC is continuing the camera surveys and would likely detect marten if they were to occur here. In summary, if the Service finds that the Humboldt marten should be listed, and critical habitat is designated, then there are existing conservation measures in place for HRC lands under the HCP, and further measures are not required. Please contact me for further information. References available if requested.