Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Findings for 10 Species
Key claim: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that petitions to list seven species (Cascade red fox, diamondback terrapin, Goose Lake lamprey, Goose Lake sucker, Goose Lake tui chub, loopy five firefly, and plains spotted skunk) present substantial information warranting status reviews, while petitions for the Ellett Valley millipede, long-tailed macaque, and Louisiana black bear do not.
Abstract
(Proposed Rule · Interior Department, Fish and Wildlife Service) We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce 90- day findings on 10 petitions to add species to the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Based on our review, we find that the petitions to list the Cascade red fox (Vulpes vulpes cascadensis), diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin), Goose Lake lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus ssp.), Goose Lake sucker (Catostomus occidentalis lacusanserinus), Goose Lake tui chub (Siphateles thalassinus thalassinus), loopy five firefly (Photuris forresti), and plains spotted skunk (Spilogale interrupta) present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned actions may be warranted. Therefore, with the publication of this document, we announce that we are initiating status reviews of these seven species to determine whether the petitioned actions are warranted. To ensure that the status reviews are comprehensive, we request scientific and commercial data and other information regarding the species and factors that may affect their status. Based on the status reviews, we will issue 12-month petition findings, which will address whether or not the petitioned actions are warranted, in accordance with the Act. We further find that the petitions to list the Ellett Valley millipede (Pseudotremia cavernarum), long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis), and Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) do not present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating the petitioned actions may be warranted. Therefore, we are not initiating status reviews for these three species.
Why this matters
ESA 90-day findings are the gatekeeping step that determines which species advance to full status reviews and potential listing, which in turn drives Section 7 consultation burdens on federal permits, land management, and infrastructure projects. Positive findings for aquatic species in the Goose Lake basin and for the wide-ranging diamondback terrapin and plains spotted skunk could eventually constrain water management, coastal development, and land use across multiple states, while negative findings for the long-tailed macaque and Louisiana black bear close out those petitions without further federal action.