The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has determined the colorful Sacramento Mountains Checkerspot butterfly that inhabits high elevation meadows in New Mexico's Otero County will not be added to the endangered species list because the threats to its existence have lessened. The Service published its decision in today's Federal Register.
The Service proposed to list the butterfly as endangered with critical habitat in 2001 because of concerns over habitat destruction and degradation. Today's decision withdraws the proposal. Data gathered in recent years indicates the threats are not as significant as once believed.
The Endangered Species Act lists five factors that biologists must consider when determining if a species needs the protection of the Act: meeting at least one condition makes the species eligible for threatened or endangered status. The Service's decision addresses each factor and explains how the perceived threat was removed, alleviated or not warranted.
In 2001, private development was considered a significant threat as half the butterfly's habitat was thought to occur on private land. New data shows 2,709 acres contain butterfly habitat of which 777 acres are private. The Service conducted an economic study that estimates private development impacts over a twenty year period would affect up to eight acres of habitat. The USDA Forest Service manages the other acres.
"The proposal to list the butterfly brought to light existing protections such as the Village of Cloudcroft's greenbelt ordinance which has since been strengthened," said Director of the Service's Southwest Region, Dale Hall. "The proposal also got the ball rolling on several new initiatives.?
In October, Otero County passed a resolution to conserve the butterfly and outlined several regulatory measures that will protect the butterfly and its habitat.
The Forest Service has implemented many efforts to manage and maintain butterfly habitat. Butterfly collectors now need a permit for collecting any butterflies on the Smokey Bear and Sacramento Districts of the Lincoln National Forest.
The potential for catastrophic fire was another area of concern. Since 2000, the Forest Service has invested almost $11 million to reduce hazardous fuels on more than 46,000 acres in the Lincoln National Forests in Otero and Lincoln counties. In addition, data from site-specific catastrophic fires in the area show that the most destruction occurs in the forest canopy and the meadows sustained much milder damage.
The County, Village of Cloudcroft, the Forest Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service have collaborated on a Sacramento Mountains Checkerspot butterfly conservation plan. The plan provides conservation and management recommendations for public and private lands to alleviate threats to the species and its habitat.
"The Sacramento Mountains Checkerspot butterfly is a unique creature that will need the continued support of the local community to thrive," said Hall. "But there are mechanisms in place to assure that its habitat will endure.?
Butterflies undergo a complete metamorphosis with four distinct life stages. As an adult, the Sacramento Mountains Checkerspot butterflies have a wingspan of approximately two inches. Their wings are checkered with dark brown, red, orange, white and black spots and lines. The colorful pattern is made by millions of tiny scales that look like fine powder. These silky scales are one of the butterfly's defense mechanisms. Predators that grab the butterfly by its wings have a hard time hanging on to the slippery powder.
The withdrawal notice can be accessed on the internet at COLOR: blue; http://ifw2es.fws.gov/Library/. Copies can also be obtained by calling the New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office at 505-761-4700 or writing the Field Supervisor at 2105 Osuna NE, Albuquerque, 87113. COLOR: blue;
2The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 544 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign and Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
-http://southwest.fws.gov-
