Comment on FR Doc # 2011-21556

Dear U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Congratulations! Sea otters are moving south and reclaiming their home range naturally! As you know, range expansion is an important factor in population growth and recovery of southern sea otters. Otters expanding their current range into southern California will translate into a stronger, healthier, and larger population of sea otters. As the agency mandated to oversee the recovery of the Southern sea otter under the Endangered Species Act, you must be very enthusiastic about the future success of the sea otter population. As a member of The Otter Project, I certainly am! I am writing today to support the Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposed rule to remove all regulations and associated management actions that govern the southern sea otter. I also support the Service's preferred alternative (3C) that will allow sea otters to remain in the zone, for natural range expansion, and abolishing the "No-Otter" zone. The last time we were here in 2008, the public spoke out in overwhelming support for sea otter's rights to expand and regain full protection. At the time, Fish and Wildlife Service was poised to make the right choice and let sea otters swim free. We're still on your side, but it's up to you to take the next step. A small minority of special interests may try to thwart your efforts to protect sea otters, but as a federal agency, you have a responsibility to the public. That public has stood up for the rights of otters to thrive time and again. It’s time sea otters are given a real chance to return to their historic range. I strongly encourage you to finalize your decision to abolish the "No-Otter" zone allowing otters to expand their range naturally, and to regain full protection under the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Acts fulfilling your mandate to restore the sea otter population. Thank you for your consideration. Best regards, K. Enwright