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Dakota Skipper and Poweshiek Skipperling

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Below is a chronological list of previous Federal Register publications, with associated information materials, and other actions pertaining to the Endangered Species Act status of the Dakota skipper and Poweshiek skipperling. The Service listed the Dakota skipper as threatened and the Poweshiek skipperling as endangered under the authority of the Endangered Species Act (Federal Register Final Rule: October 24, 2014). We have also proposed designating critical habitat for both butterflies, the final decision on designating critical habitat will be made at a later date.

October 23, 2014: Dakota Skipper and Poweshiek Skipperling Listed under Endangered Species Act

Dakota skipper reared at the Minnesota Zoo.

Photo Courtesy of Cale Nordmeyer/Minnesota Zoo

News Release (Oct. 23, 2014): U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Protects Two Prairie Butterfly Species Under Endangered species Act

Questions and Answers: Dakota Skipper and Poweshiek Skipperling Listed as Threatened and Endangered

Questions and Answers:

Dakota Skipper 4(d) Rule

Federal Register Final Rule (Oct. 24, 2014): Threatened Species Status for Dakota Skipper and Endangered Species Status for Poweshiek Skipperling (78-page PDF)

Fact Sheet Dakota Skipper

Fact Sheet Poweshiek Skipperling

September 22, 2014: Public Comment Period Re-opened for Proposed Critical Habitat - Draft Economic Analysis Available

The Service is announcing availability of a Draft Economic Analysis that evaluates the economic impact of designating critical habitat for the Dakota skipper and Poweshiek skipperling. The Draft Economic Analysis is available for public review and comment through October 23, 2014.

In addition, the comment period on our proposal to designate critical habitat for the Dakota skipper and Poweshiek skipperling and the comment period on our proposal to establish a special rule under section 4(d) of the ESA (referred to as a 4(d) rule) for the Dakota skipper. The comment period on proposed critical habitat is open until October 23, 2014 and the comment period on the proposed 4(d) rule is open until October 7, 2014.

The Dakota skipper and Poweshiek skipperling are butterflies native to tallgrass prairies of north-central United States and south-central Canada.

Photo by USFWS; Laura Hubers

Dakota Skipper Proposed Critical Habitat Maps

Minnesota - maps of revised critical habitat units from Sept. 23, 2014 Proposed Rule

Minnesota - maps from Oct. 24, 2013 Proposed Rule

North Dakota - maps from Oct. 24, 2013 Proposed Rule

South Dakota - maps from Oct. 24, 2013 Proposed Rule

Map inadvertantly left out of Oct. 24,2014, proposal but included in Sept. 23, 2014, proposal:
South Dakota Units 20, 21 and 22, Brookings County

Poweshiek Skipperling Proposed Critical Habitat Maps

Iowa

Michigan

Minnesota - maps of revised critical habitat units from Sept. 23, 2014 Proposed Rule

Minnesota - maps from Oct. 24, 2013 Proposed Rule

North Dakota

South Dakota

Wisconsin

Text Descriptions of Proposed Critical Habitat Units Revised in Sept. 23, 2014 Federal Register (61-page PDF ; 329KB)

Text Descriptions of Proposed Critical Habitat Units from Oct. 24, 2013 Proposal (117-page PDF; 328KB)

News Release (Sept. 22, 2014): U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Invites Additional Comments on Endangered Species Act Proposals for Two Prairie Butterflies - Service also seeks comment on draft economic analysis

Federal Register Publication: Listing and Designation of Critical Habitat for the Dakota Skipper and the Poweshiek Skipperling - Reopening Comment Period

Questions and Answers Fact Sheet: Draft Economic Analysis of Proposed Critical Habitat Available for Public Review and Comment Period Re-opened on Proposals to Designate Critical Habitat for Both Butterflies and Establish 4(d) Rule for Dakota Skipper

Questions and Answers Fact Sheet: Proposed 4(d) Rule for Dakota Skipper

Fact Sheet Critical Habitat Fact Sheet (1-page PDF)

Text Descriptions of Proposed Critical Habitat Units for Dakota Skipper and Poweshiek Skipperling - Updated (61-page PDF ; 329KB)

Critical Habitat Economic Analysis

Screening Analysis of the Likely Economic Impacts of Critical Habitat Designation for the Dakota Skipper and Poweshiek Skipperling (25-page PDF; 1.5MB)

Incremental Effects Memorandum for the Economic Analysis of the Proposed Rule (32-page PDF ; 2.4MB)

Supplemental Information on Land Values – Critical Habitat Designation for the Dakota Skipper and Poweshiek Skipperling (11-page PDF )

October 23, 2013:

Proposal to List and Proposal to Designate Critical Habitat

News Release (Oct. 23, 2013): U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Endangered Species Act Protection for Two Butterflies

Federal Register Proposed Rule (Oct. 24, 2013): Threatened Status for Dakota Skipper and Endangered Status for Poweshiek Skipperling (53-page PDF; 694KB)

• References Cited in Proposed Rule to List the Dakota Skipper and Poweshiek Skipperling (PDF)

Federal Register Proposed Rule (Oct. 24, 2013): Designation of Critical Habitat for Dakota Skipper and Poweshiek Skipperling (121-Page PDF; 6.5MB)

• References Cited in Proposed Rule to Designate Critical Habitat for the Dakota Skipper and Poweshiek Skipperling (PDF)

Questions and Answers Fact Sheet: Dakota Skipper and Poweshiek Skipperling Proposals to List as Endangered or Threatened and Designate Critical Habitat

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