Service Announces Endangered Species Act Listing Determinations for Three Eastern U.S. Species

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Press Release
Service Announces Endangered Species Act Listing Determinations for Three Eastern U.S. Species

Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that the cobblestone tiger beetle, longhead darter, and Peaks of Otter salamander do not warrant listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). These three species join the ranks of more than 190 others in the eastern U.S. whose populations have been determined to be stable thanks to efforts by federal, state, private and non-governmental partners. 

The cobblestone tiger beetle can be found in 13 U.S. states - Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Alabama and Mississippi - and New Brunswick, Canada. The beetle occupies pebble and cobblestone patches along rivers with swift flowing water. The beetle’s habitat is maintained by natural disturbances, like flooding and freezing, which deposit cobblestones throughout its range. 

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, including changes in precipitation patterns and temperature, could affect natural flow regimes the beetle relies on, the species has shown the ability to adapt due to its distribution across a topographically diverse region. 

The longhead darter is a small freshwater fish named for its somewhat elongated head and snout. This species resides in freshwater ecosystems within New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. The species requires pools of clean water to enable its characteristic feeding technique: swimming from rock to rock, picking macroinvertebrates from crevices and stone surfaces. 

Thanks to proactive conservation efforts by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Ohio State University, Ohio Division of Wildlife and others, the species is returning to previously occupied streams despite potential threats to water quality and the construction of dams throughout its range.

The Peaks of Otter salamander is found only within the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountain range for which it was named. The historical range of this species covers just 45 square miles, primarily within the George Washington and Jefferson national forests. The species requires healthy forest habitat, canopy cover and protection from insects, fire and extreme weather events.

Most of the salamander’s habitat is protected by the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service. Timber harvest is managed through a multi-agency habitat conservation agreement that ensures habitat and canopy cover remain intact. The Service also supports continual research and monitoring of this species by federal and university partners. Academic partners include Liberty University, Washington and Lee University, and Virginia Tech. 

The Service uses the best available science to make ESA listing determinations. Today, a draft of the batched notice is available in the Federal Register’s electronic reading room:  https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection. The final version of the batched notice will be available on October 7 at:  http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/html/FR/todays_toc.html, and supporting documents available at www.regulations.gov under docket #FWS–R5–ES–2019–0074.