Contrary to expectations, an independent colony of sea otters failed to materialize. The island otter population has not exceeded 23 otters, too small of a group to repopulate otter habitat if an oil spill or other event devastated the main population of otters. The Service concluded that resumption of the program to keep otters out of the management zone is likely to result in the death of some individuals and reduce the ability of others in the parent range to survive and reproduce. The biological opinion also found that expansion of the sea otter's distribution is essential to its survival and recovery. The public and other interested parties will have the opportunity to assist the Service in determining the extent of the supplemental EIS at the scoping meetings.
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Include a name and address in the e-mail message. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.