
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, December 11, 1993                   TAG: 9312110152
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

PLAN TO SAVE WOODPECKER ANNOUNCED

The Forest Service proposed a new management plan Friday to enhance the recovery of the endangered red cockaded woodpecker on 2 million acres in 11 national forests in the Southeast.

The plan is designed to restore the old-growth pine forest habitat in which the bird evolved. Since it was listed as an endangered species in 1970, the woodpecker has declined to the point that there now are about 4,000 pairs remaining.

Acting Southern Regional Forester Marvin C. Meier said the new plan relies on "an ecosystem management approach focusing on restoration of the habitat conditions" under which the woodpecker once thrived.

by CNB