This dataset depicts the boundaries of mapped barred owl management areas within the range of the northern spotted owl, as described in the draft Barred Owl Management Strategy (Strategy). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service developed the Strategy to reduce barred owl populations to improve the survival and recovery of northern spotted owls and to prevent declines in California spotted owls (S. o. occidentalis) from barred owl competition. The Strategy is a set of recommendations focused on the management of barred owls. The Strategy outlines management approaches, geographic areas, and other considerations to guide management actions by interested and willing public or private landowners or land managers. The Strategy does not create any specific requirements for proactive actions, nor does it place any additional limitations on Federal or non-Federal lands. However, implementation of actions described in the Strategy would require a Migratory Bird Treaty Act permit from the Service’s Migratory Bird Program, and any actions that are conducted under this Strategy and associated permit must fit within the description of the Strategy and follow the protocol for barred owl removal and required monitoring. The Strategy only addresses barred owl threats and management, and does not change underlying land management or modify northern spotted owl critical habitat, the Recovery Plan, or any land designations. It is complementary to, and does not replace, the management of spotted owl habitat.

In the range of the northern spotted owl, the Strategy includes three approaches to barred owl management, applied across the range at varying scales: 1) spotted owl site management, 2) General Management Areas (GMAs) with associated Focal Management Areas (FMAs), and 3) Special Designated Areas. The details of management under these approaches may vary by physiographic province, depending on the condition of spotted owls, barred owls, and habitat within the province. This dataset includes the boundaries of the GMAs and Special Designated Areas described in the Strategy. Within each GMA, the Strategy allows entities implementing the Strategy to designate one or more smaller FMAs, according to a set of priorities included in the Strategy, along with the implementing entities’ own considerations. Management recommendations for the Special Designated Areas vary by type and by province. Please see the Strategy for additional details.