A unique, dime-sized snail found only at Chittenango Falls State Park in Madison County, New York, and whose survival is threatened, is the subject of a recovery plan now available for review and comment. Comments on the draft plan for the Chittenango ovate amber snail may be directed in writing to: Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New York Field Office, 3817 Luke Road, Cortland, NY 13045, by e-mail to robyn_niver@fws.gov">, or by fax to 607-753-9699. Comments must be received by Jan. 15, 2004. Copies of the draft recovery plan are available on the Internet at http://nyfo.fws.gov/es/2003DraftCOASPlan.pdf, or by writing to the above address or calling 607-753-9334.
The Chittenango ovate amber snail was discovered in 1905. The 8,000-year-old species was protected by the Endangered Species Act in 1978 due to its rarity and apparent population decline, according to Robyn Niver, endangered species recovery biologist for the Service.
