September 7, 2021
Rare Alabama Crayfish Listed As Endangered under Endangered Species Act, Along with Critical Habitat Designation
A small crayfish found only in three Alabama creeks in the Tennessee River Basin is now federally protected. Following a rigorous scientific review, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) listed the slenderclaw crayfish as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The listing means the crayfish is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
In October 2018, the Service proposed to list the slenderclaw crayfish as threatened under the ESA with a 4(d) rule and critical habitat. Based on substantive comments received during the 60-day public comment period on the status of and threats to the species, it was deemed the species met the definition of endangered rather than threatened. Since the crayfish will be listed as an endangered species, the proposed 4(d) rule no longer applies.
“On behalf of conserving and recovering the slenderclaw crayfish, the Service and our partners in Alabama are already collaborating on conservation projects and we look forward to continuing to support these partnerships,” said Leopoldo Miranda-Castro, the Service’s Regional Director. “Substantive comments from the public that inform and improve our science and further our conservation goals are one of the many benefits of transparency and public participation in our processes.”
A review of the best available science has found that the invasive virile crayfish and poor water quality are primary threats to slenderclaw crayfish populations. As such, protecting and recovering the crayfish will also benefit local communities and other wildlife that also depend on clean, reliable water resources.
The Service is also designating two units of stream reaches as critical habitat for the slenderclaw crayfish, totaling 78 river miles. The two units are privately owned stream reaches except for the bridge crossings and road easements, which are publicly owned by the state of Alabama and Dekalb and Marshall counties. Unit One includes instream habitat in Bengis and Town creeks with all habitat occupied by slenderclaw crayfish. Unit Two includes instream habitat in Shoal, Scarham and Short creeks with an occupied and unoccupied stream segment. The critical habitat does not include upland riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian areas, only instream habitat.
Establishing critical habitat will raise awareness of the needs of the slenderclaw crayfish and other imperiled species and focus the efforts of our conservation partners. It also alerts federal agencies that they are required to make special conservation efforts when they work, fund or permit activities in those areas.
The designation of critical habitat does not affect land ownership or establish a refuge, wilderness, reserve, preserve or conservation area conservation area
A conservation area is a type of national wildlife refuge that consists primarily or entirely of conservation easements on private lands. These conservation easements support private landowner efforts to protect important habitat for fish and wildlife and major migration corridors while helping to keep agricultural lands in production.
Learn more about conservation area . This designation does not allow the government or public to access private lands, nor does it require restoration, recovery or enhancement measures by non-federal landowners.
The complete listing rule can be obtained by visiting the Federal eRulemaking Portal: regulations.gov at Docket Number FWS–R4–ES–2018–0069. This final rule is effective October 8, 2021.
Download the Species Status Assessment (SSA), or learn more about this decision by reading the Frequently Asked Questions on our website at:
https://www.fws.gov/cookeville
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information on our work and the people who can make it happen, visit fws.gov. Connect with the Service on Facebook, follow our tweets, watch the YouTube Channel and download photos from Flickr.
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