NEWPORT (AP) - The state on Monday issued its proposed plan for protecting beach habitat for western snowy plovers, a tiny shore bird that has been classified as a threatened species since 1993.

The draft habitat conservation plan prepared by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department calls for no new restrictions on beach driving along the 32 miles of beach where plovers currently nest in Lane, Douglas and Coos counties. But it would impose new limits on walking dogs and flying kites.

The same restrictions would be imposed on 16 miles of beach elsewhere if plovers move into them.

The plan must be approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Plovers lay their eggs in a depression in the open sand, making them vulnerable to beach buggies as well as predators. Their numbers have fallen as exotic beach grasses moved into the open sand dunes they favor for nesting — providing cover for predators — and as more people play on the beaches.

The number of birds in Oregon has climbed from less than 50 in 1993 to more than 120 now. Recent increases have been largely due to controlling predators such ravens and foxes.