Toads, Bees, Warblers: Feds Mull Endangered Species Makeover
Published Date: 1/21/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reviewing eight species to decide if they should be added to or removed from the endangered and threatened lists. This includes animals like the Amargosa toad and the Morrison bumble bee, plus a review to possibly delist the golden-cheeked warbler. They’re asking for new info and will make final decisions within a year, helping protect wildlife and guide conservation efforts.
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 9 mixed.
Amargosa Toad Status Review Started
On January 21, 2025, the Fish and Wildlife Service found that the petition presents substantial information indicating that listing the Amargosa toad (Nye County, Nevada) as threatened or endangered may be warranted, and the Service is initiating a full 12-month status review. The petition identified threats including gold mining, and the Service said it will evaluate other potential threats such as solar development, livestock grazing, and water diversion during the status review.
Carson Valley Monkeyflower Review Underway
The Service found on January 21, 2025 that listing the Carson Valley monkeyflower (Carson City, Douglas, Lyon, Washoe Counties, NV; Alpine County, CA) as threatened or endangered may be warranted and is starting a 12-month status review. The petition cited habitat loss from commercial, residential, and industrial development and will have those threats evaluated during the review.
Golden‑cheeked Warbler Delisting Review
On January 21, 2025, the Service found that the petition to delist the golden‑cheeked warbler (which occurs in Texas and parts of Central America) presents substantial information that delisting may be warranted, and the Service is initiating a 12-month status review. The petitioners presented information about greater habitat extent, use of smaller habitat patches, and higher abundance than previously thought.
Large Marble Butterfly Status Review
The Service found on January 21, 2025 that listing the large marble butterfly (and the large-marble type subspecies in central western California) may be warranted and is beginning a 12-month status review to evaluate habitat loss from urbanization and other threats. The species' U.S. range includes Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Mohave Ground Squirrel Review Initiated
The Service found on January 21, 2025 that listing the Mohave ground squirrel (southwestern Inyo, eastern Kern, northeastern Los Angeles, and northwestern San Bernardino counties, California) as threatened or endangered may be warranted and is initiating a 12-month status review because of concerns about habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation.
Morrison Bumble Bee Status Review
On January 21, 2025, the Service found that listing the Morrison bumble bee (range includes eastern Sierra Nevada, northeastern Arizona, northern New Mexico, Colorado, and parts of Idaho and Washington) as threatened or endangered may be warranted, and it is starting a 12-month status review to evaluate threats such as pesticides, grazing, urban development, pathogens, and climate change.
Oasis Valley Speckled Dace Review Started
The Service determined on January 21, 2025 that the petition for the Oasis Valley population of Amargosa speckled dace (Oasis Valley watershed, Nye County, Nevada) presents substantial information that it may qualify as a distinct population segment and that listing as threatened or endangered may be warranted; a 12-month status review will follow with threats such as gold mining, water diversions, and invasive species to be evaluated.
Tennessee Bottlebrush Crayfish Review
On January 21, 2025, the Service found that listing the Tennessee bottlebrush crayfish (Lawrence County, Tennessee, and Lauderdale County, Alabama) as threatened or endangered may be warranted and is initiating a 12-month status review because of habitat destruction linked to dams, agriculture, urban runoff, and wastewater facilities.
Public Submissions Will Be Posted
You can send scientific or commercial information about any of the eight species by using https://www.regulations.gov or by U.S. mail to the Fish and Wildlife Service addresses listed in the notice. The Service will post everything it receives on https://www.regulations.gov, which generally means any personal information you include will also be posted; Microsoft Word is their preferred file format and spreadsheets are preferred for multiple submissions.
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