ETWP; Determination of Threatened Status for the Northern Population of the Copperbelly Water Snake

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) determines threatened species status pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), for the copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) in the northern portion of its range. The Service also determines that the copperbelly water snake does not warrant listing as a threatened species in the southern portion of its range and is not finalizing that portion of the proposal. This snake was referred to as the northern copperbelly water snake in several previous Federal Register publications. Historical records and recent studies indicate that this animal has declined substantially, especially in the northern portion of its range, and now persists largely in isolated pockets of suitable habitat. Rangewide, the snake has been impacted by a variety of human-induced causes, including urban/suburban encroachment, coal mining, and wetland drainage. These impacts continue to threaten the snake in the northern portion of its range but are being substantially reduced in the southern portion of its range due to modifications in surface coal mining and reclamation practices.