Fish and Wildlife Service Flags Seven Species for Review
Published Date: 7/14/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reviewed 10 species to see if they should be protected as endangered or threatened. They found 7 species might need protection and will study them more, while 3 species won’t be reviewed further. This process starts now and could lead to new protections that help wildlife and affect conservation efforts and funding over the next year.
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 8 mixed.
Cascade red fox status review
If you live in Washington State (Cascade Mountains), the Fish and Wildlife Service began a status review for the Cascade red fox on July 14, 2026. The review may lead to a proposed listing and could affect conservation actions and funding over the next year; the Service requests scientific and commercial data to inform the review.
Diamondback terrapin status review
If you live on the Atlantic or Gulf coasts listed (MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, LA, TX), the Service began a status review for the diamondback terrapin on July 14, 2026. The petition cites drowning in crab pots and other threats; the review may lead to proposals that affect conservation efforts and funding over the next year, and the Service requests data to inform the review.
Goose Lake lamprey status review
The Service began a status review on July 14, 2026 for the Goose Lake lamprey, found in Lake County, Oregon and Modoc County, California. The petition cites habitat loss from agricultural water diversions and other threats; the review may lead to conservation proposals and funding changes over the next year.
Goose Lake sucker status review
The Service began a status review on July 14, 2026 for the Goose Lake sucker, found in Lake County, Oregon and Modoc County, California. The petition cites habitat loss from agricultural water diversions and other threats; the review may lead to conservation proposals and funding changes over the next year.
Goose Lake tui chub status review
The Service began a status review on July 14, 2026 for the Goose Lake tui chub, found in Lake County, Oregon and Modoc County, California. The petition cites habitat loss from agricultural water diversions and other threats; the review may lead to conservation proposals and funding changes over the next year.
Loopy five firefly status review
If you live in Georgia, South Carolina, or Tennessee, the Service began a status review for the loopy five firefly on July 14, 2026. The petition cites urban sprawl and light pollution among threats; the review may lead to conservation proposals and funding changes over the next year, and the Service requests data to inform the review.
Plains spotted skunk status review
If you live in the Great Plains states listed (AR, IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, OK, SD, TX, WY), the Service began a status review for the plains spotted skunk on July 14, 2026. The petition presents new information that the skunk may be extirpated or in very low numbers in parts of Kansas and Nebraska; the review may lead to conservation proposals and funding changes over the next year.
Three petitions not advanced
On July 14, 2026 the Service found that petitions to list the Ellett Valley millipede, long-tailed macaque, and Louisiana black bear do not present substantial scientific or commercial information, and the Service is not initiating status reviews for those three petitions.
Public data and comment process
The Service requests scientific and commercial data for the seven species under review and directs submissions through regulations.gov or U.S. mail (see docket numbers). All submissions will be posted to regulations.gov (including personal information unless you request withholding). The findings were made on July 14, 2026.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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