America Builds Wall Against Fungus-Infected Salamander Invasion
Published Date: 1/10/2025
Rule
Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is officially banning the import and movement of 20 salamander groups to stop a deadly fungus from invading U.S. waters. They’re also adding 16 more salamander groups to the watch list and asking the public for feedback. These rules start January 25, 2025, helping protect wildlife without big costs for most people.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Import ban on 36 salamander genera
The Fish and Wildlife Service finalized a ban on importation into the United States and shipment between the enumerated U.S. jurisdictions of all species (live or dead, including hybrids and parts) in 20 salamander genera (affirmed from the 2016 interim rule) and added 16 more genera under a second interim rule. These listings (a total of 36 genera) are effective January 25, 2025, and apply except where a permit is authorized for certain purposes or federal agencies import for their own use.
Permit exceptions and containment rules
Permits remain available to import listed salamanders for zoological, educational, medical, or scientific purposes, and Federal agencies may import listed salamanders solely for their own use. Permitted imports must follow sanitary procedures and double containment and the Service may add further permit conditions to prevent spread of the fungus.
Certain preserved materials and eggs excluded
The rule clarifies that chemically preserved parts or tissues that have been treated so Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans would be non-viable, eggs or gametes, and molecular specimens consisting only of nucleic acids are not prohibited. Frozen specimens, however, remain regulated as parts of injurious wildlife.
Clarified transport limits after 2017 court ruling
The rule affirms that importation into the United States and shipment between the enumerated jurisdictions (continental United States, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories) of listed salamanders is prohibited, and it clarifies consistent with the 2017 D.C. Circuit decision that the statute does not prohibit interstate transport between States within the continental United States. Transport from the lower 48 States to Alaska through Canada (or vice versa) remains prohibited because it includes an import into the United States.
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