WOODSTOCK, Vt. (AP) – A scientific group is going to recommend that the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife remove the loon from the state’s endangered species list.

The Scientific Advisory Group, which is made up of citizens and scientists representing a number of different wildlife organizations around the state, is making the recommendation.

That advice now will be forwarded to the Vermont Endangered Species Committee, which is more closely affiliated with state government. It will publicize the recommendation and take public comment before it decides whether to advise the secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources to take the loon off the endangered species list.

From 2000-2004, the average number of nesting pairs of loons was 41. The recommended number of nesting pairs for recovery is 40.

The Vermont Loon Recovery Project, a joint program of the Vermont Institute of Natural Science and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, has been in charge of monitoring and managing Vermont’s loon population since 1978.

In 1983, seven loon pairs attempted to nest in all of Vermont. In 1987 the common loon was placed on the state’s endangered species list.

Although endangered in Vermont, the North American population of loons is plentiful.

The loon decline was attributable to humans disturbing nesting areas, flooding of loon nesting areas and habitat loss.

Biologists have worked to inform the public to stay away from loon nests and they have worked with hydroelectric companies to stabilize water levels and provide floating nesting platforms.

AP-ES-09-17-04 1837EDT