26 West Coast Snails and Slugs Will Be Considered for Federal Protection

Twenty six rare mollusks may warrant federal protection as a threatened or endangered species, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service announced today, following an initial review of a petition seeking to protect 29 species of mollusks under the Endangered Species Act (Act).

Today's decision, known as a 90-day finding, is based on scientific information about the species provided in the petition requesting listing of the species under the Act. The petition finding does not mean that the Service has decided it is appropriate to give the 26 mollusks federal protection under the Act. Rather, this finding is the first step in a long process that triggers a more thorough review of all the biological information available.