ETWP; Proposed Threatened Status for the Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposes to list the northern Idaho ground squirrel (Spermophilus brunneus brunneus) as a threatened species throughout its range in western Idaho pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This subspecies is known from 21 sites in Adams and Valley Counties, Idaho. It is primarily threatened by habitat loss due to seral forest encroachment into former suitable meadow habitats. Seral forest encroachment results in habitat fragmentation, isolating northern Idaho ground squirrel colonies. The subspecies is also threatened by competition from the larger Columbian ground squirrel (Spermophilus columbianus), land use changes, recreational shooting and naturally occurring events. This proposal, if made final, would extend Federal protection provisions provided by the Act for the northern Idaho ground squirrel.