The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public comment on a draft recovery plan for the Mount Charleston blue butterfly. The document will appear in the Federal Register on May 10, 2021, opening a 60-day public comment period. The Service is requesting information regarding the species’ biology, threats and recovery needs.
The butterfly lives in high elevations in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, approximately 25 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada. It was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in October 2013. Critical habitat was designated for the species in June 2015.
“Recovery plans provide guidance on how to help listed species recover to the point that they no longer warrant ESA protection,” said Glen Knowles, field supervisor for the Southern Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office. “The draft recovery plan for the Mt. Charleston blue butterfly provides an important opportunity for scientists and the public to understand what is needed to achieve this goal.”
Recovery of the Mount Charleston blue butterfly will occur when threats are sufficiently reduced or populations meet the criteria listed in the draft recovery plan. Threats to the species include the loss and degradation of habitat due to fire, fire suppression, fuels reduction projects, recreation development projects, extreme precipitation and drought.
The draft recovery plan and additional species information are available here. Comments on the draft recovery plan will be accepted until July 9, 2021. The public can submit comments and information electronically to Glen_Knowles@fws.gov. Written comments should be mailed to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southern Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office, 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130. If you need additional assistance, please contact the Southern Nevada Field Office at 702-515-5230.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information about our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov/cno/ or connect with us via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
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