After reviewing the best available scientific and commercial information, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that the Peñasco least chipmunk meets the definition of endangered under the Endangered Species Act. To support the recovery of this subspecies, the Service is also designating 4,386 acres of critical habitat in Lincoln County, New Mexico. None of the designated critical habitat is on private land and has no impact to private landowners.
The Service proposed listing the Peñasco least chipmunk as endangered with critical habitat designation on Sept. 28, 2021. Today’s final listing decision complies with a court-ordered settlement to submit a final rule to the Office of the Federal Register by Dec. 2, 2024.
Once found throughout the Sacramento and White Mountains of New Mexico, the Peñasco least chipmunk is now only known to occur in the White Mountains. One of the smallest chipmunks, the Peñasco least chipmunk uses shade from mature conifers to provide protection from overhead predators as it forages on seeds and flowers in meadows and other openings in subalpine forests.
The designation of critical habitat supports recovery and conservation of the species by guiding cooperation within the federal government. Designations affect only federal agency actions or federally funded or permitted activities. Critical habitat designation does not change land ownership or create conservation areas.
The designated 4,386 acres of critical habitat completely fall under federal management as they are on U.S. Forest Service land within the Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico. Based on Mescalero Apache Tribal expertise and input, the final critical habitat will exclude Mescalero Apache Reservation land and the Ski Apache Resort (a business of the Mescalero Apache Tribe operated under a special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service).
This past June, devastating wildfires in southern New Mexico significantly impacted the village of Ruidoso, resulting in the loss of two lives and hundreds of homes. The areas impacted by the fires were declared a major disaster, which granted communities access to emergency federal programs and services to assist in recovery. The Peñasco least chipmunk’s final listing and critical habitat designation will not hinder or impact any community recovery and rebuilding efforts in response to the fires.
The Peñasco least chipmunk’s isolated population with low numbers make it extremely vulnerable to extinction. Additional threats to the subspecies include changes in plant communities due to forest encroachment into its sub-alpine meadow habitat, impacts from non-native wildlife, and land use practices such as grazing, recreation and development. In response to the June 2024 wildfires, which occurred within the Peñasco least chipmunk’s historic range and habitat, survey work will be conducted to determine any impacts to the subspecies and its habitat.
More information on the finalized Peñasco least chipmunk listing and designated critical habitat can be found in our Frequently Asked Questions.
The proposed and final rules, as well as the comments received on the proposed rule, are available at http://www.regulations.govby searching docket number FWS-R2-ES-2020-0042 or can be obtainedfrom the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office. The final rule is effective 30 days after posting in the Federal Register.
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