Endangered Species Update - June 2019 - Presented by JD Strong, Director Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
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Endangered Species
Update -
June 2019
Presented by JD Strong, Director
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
American Burying Beetle
In May 2019, ABB proposed for downlisting to “threatened”
with special 4(d) rule (USFWS 60 Day Comment Period
open until July 2, 2019)
4(d) rules only applicable to threatened species; allows for
regulatory flexibilities, exemptions of certain activities for
overall conservation of the species
Proposed 4(d) rule would no longer prohibit incidental take
outside of certain conservations lands (in Oklahoma,
would include TNC Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, McAlester
Army Ammunition Plant. & Camp Gruber/Cherokee WMA)
ABB (cont.)
ODWC interpretation: outside listed
conservation lands, ground disturbance &
development allowed statewide without
ESA Section 10 permit
Industry
Conservation Plan (ICP) is type of HCP
through Sect. 10 of ESA
Lesser Prairie-Chicken
Formerly listed as “threatened”,
USFWS initiated discretionary
status review following listing
vacatur by federal judge.
12 mo. finding currently
scheduled for Spring 2021
Outcome can either be
proposed for listing, placed
on candidate list (“warranted
but precluded”), or found “not
warranted”.
Additional Species Under ESA Review
At least 20 additional Oklahoma
species currently under review
for ESA listings
Rattlesnake Master-borer: federal
candidate (“warranted but
precluded” due to higher priorities)
Eastern Black Rail – proposed as
threatened in October 2018
Peppered Chub (federal FY2019)
Monarch Butterfly – 12 mo. finding
delayed to Dec. 2020
Additional Species Under Review (cont.)
Beyond Federal FY 2020, next 5 years
Mussels (Western Fanshell, Louisiana Pigtoe)
Tricolored Bat
Plains Spotted Skunk
Turtles (Western Chicken Turtle, Alligator
Snapping Turtle)
ODWC role with species under ESA
listing reviews
ODWC’s goal is to primarily keep a species from
being listed and to retain it under state management
authority; this provides greater flexibility with
conservation efforts and cooperation with economic
and industrial development
ODWC provides data and comments pertinent to the
various species at the appropriate point(s) during the
listing evaluation process.
Through State Wildlife Grants, ODWC can fund
projects to gather information on the basic biology and
distribution of the hundreds of species within
Oklahoma that are not hunted or fished.
ODWC’s role with federally-listed
species
ODWC can cooperate with U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service through ESA Section 6
funding; allows states to partner w/
USFWS on recovery
For species whose recovery, and in turn,
ultimate de-listing seems realistic and
attainable, we strive to meet that goal as
expedient as possible.
Potential Upcoming Down-listings
or De-listings
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
(endangered) – ongoing Species
Status Assessment has informed
possible justification for
downlisting to “threatened”; no
date set for proposed rule
Interior Least Tern (endangered)
– has reached national
population goals in USFWS
Recovery Plan; no date set on
proposed down/de-listing rule
Questions?
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