Environment Minister Brian Wightman announced yesterday that the Parks and Wildlife Service had approved the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program's translocation plan. 

The move will be staged over two years, starting with the transfer of about 10 devils selected from the   insurance population   to the East Coast island by the end of the year. 

The service's approval follows the federal government's decision not to subject the proposal to a more rigorous assessment.  

Birds Tasmania is concerned that the devils will   directly or indirectly harm birds that  nest on the island such as the endangered wedge-tailed eagle and swift parrot.

``Given some breeding populations are already decreasing, devils will be a final nail in the coffin for beach-nesting shorebirds,'' chairman Eric Woehler wrote in his submission.

The Tasmanian Conservation Trust called for a more comprehensive mitigation plan to be developed before the first devils arrive.  

``Mitigation measures need to be planned in the event that rats proliferate, wedge-tailed eagles have their food supply impacted or  devils occupy historic buildings,'' biodiversity campaigner Jennifer Rowallan said.

Tourism venture The Maria Island Walk was also concerned that introducing devils would change the mood of the island.  

``Maria might quickly go from one of Australia's premier wildlife viewing destinations to one where the wildlife lives in fear for their lives and are not visitor-friendly,'' director Ian Johnstone said.

Mr Wightman said a comprehensive assessment had been undertaken and the devils and other species would be constantly monitored. 

He said Save the Tasmanian Devil Program members had spent 18 months researching how to release and manage a population of devils.

``This project has been researched and analysed -  and it stacks up,'' he said. ``The Parks and Wildlife Service has imposed conditions on the approval, to protect the island's natural and cultural heritage values.''