USFWS: ESA Protection for Small-Footed, Northern Long-Ear May Be Warranted

[David Riggs]

The US Fish and Wildlife Service today announced that their initial
"90-day finding" for the Center for Biological Diversity's petition to
list the Eastern Small-Footed Bat (Myotis leibii) and the Northern
Long-Eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis) under the Endangered Species
Act "may be warranted".

"Today’s decision, commonly known as a 90-day petition finding, is
based on scientific and commercial information about the species
provided in the petition requesting protection of the species under
the ESA. The petition finding does not mean that the Service has
decided it is appropriate to protect the eastern small-footed and
northern long-eared bats under the ESA. Rather, this finding is the
first step in a process that triggers a more thorough review of all
the biological information available. The finding will publish in the
Federal Register on June 29, 2011."

News Release:
http://www.fws.gov/whitenosesyndrome/news/062811.html
http://www.fws.gov/whitenosesyndrome/pdf/ESFB_NLEB_90dayNR048412Final.pdf

FAQ:
http://www.fws.gov/whitenosesyndrome/pdf/ESFB_NLEB_90dayFAQs04841Final.pdf

54-page 90-Day Finding Report:
http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2011-16344_PI.pdf

- DR

--
David A. Riggs
Myotisoft, LLC
463 Oak Street
Morgantown, WV 26505
http://www.myotisoft.com
dri...@myotisoft.com
(304) 685-7537