The Susan’s purse-making caddisfly may warrant federal protection as a threatened or endangered species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today, following an initial review of a petition seeking to protect the small, moth-like insect under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
The Service will undertake a more thorough review of the Susan’s purse-making caddisfly to determine whether to propose adding the species to the federal list of threatened and endangered wildlife and plants.
The Susan’s purse-making caddisfly is found only in Trout Creek Spring in Chaffee County, Colorado and in High Creek Fen in Park County, Colorado.
Today’s decision, commonly known as a 90-day finding, is based on scientific information about the Susan’s purse-making caddisfly provided in the petition requesting listing the species under the ESA. The petition finding does not mean that the Service has decided it is appropriate to give the Susan’s purse-making caddisfly federal protection under the ESA. Rather, this finding is the first step in a long process that triggers a more thorough review of all the biological information available.
To ensure this review is comprehensive, the Service is soliciting information from state and federal natural resource agencies and all interested parties regarding the Susan’s purse-making caddisfly and its habitat.
The Service is seeking information regarding the species historical and current status and distribution; its biology and ecology; and ongoing conservation measures for the species and its habitat; and threats to the long-term persistence of the species.
If it is determined that listing the Susan’s purse-making caddisfly is warranted, the Service intends to propose critical habitat. Therefore, the Service also requests data and information on what may constitute physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the species, where these features are currently found, and whether any of these features may require special management considerations or protection. In addition, information is sought regarding whether there are areas outside the geographical area occupied by the species that are essential to the conservation of the species.
Comments and information will be accepted until September 7, 2009 and can be submitted electronically via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at: http://www.regulations.gov">, or can be mailed or hand delivered to Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R6-ES-2009-0025; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222; Arlington, VA 22203.
The Service will evaluate all information regarding the status and distribution of the Susan’s purse-making caddisfly, including the impacts or potential impacts to the species resulting from either human activities or natural causes.
The petition submitted by the Xerces Society, Center for Native Ecosystems, WildEarth Guardians, and Western Watersheds Project asserts that grazing, logging and other activities affect Susan’s purse-making caddisfly habitat. These potential impacts will be examined during the status review.
For more information regarding the Susan’s purse-making caddisfly, please visit our web site at http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie
