Draft Environmental Assessment - Captive Breeding Pilot Program for the Endangered Mount Graham Red Squirrel

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has prepared this draft Environmental Assessment (dEA) to analyze potential effects to physical, biological, social, and cultural resources that may result from establishing a captive breeding pilot program for the endangered Mount (Mt.) Graham red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis) (red squirrel or squirrel). The proposal stems from a FWS Federal action: removal of up to 16 Mt. Graham red squirrels from the wild to establish a captive breeding pilot program. The dEA was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508), and FWS NEPA Reference Handbook (January 1997).