New State Endangered Species list; Blanding's turtle protections proposed
State Endangered Species List updated;
Public comments solicited for Blanding's turtle protections
Wisconsin's Endangered and Threatened Species list updated
Fifteen native birds, plants and other animals have been removed from Wisconsin's endangered and threatened species list effective Jan. 1, 2014. Some have rebounded as a result of protections and management efforts to increase their populations, while others were found to be more numerous than originally thought after targeted survey efforts.
Eight other species, including the black tern, the federally endangered Kirtland's warbler, and the upland sandpiper, have been added to the list because they are considered to be in jeopardy now or in the near future. Five invertebrates -- the beach-dune tiger beetle, ottoe skipper, a leafhopper, an Issid planthopper, and fawnsfoot mussel, were added as well to the list.
Read more in the DNR news.
Proposal to list Blanding's turtle as Protected Wild Animal
The Blanding's turtle was one of the 15 species removed from the endangered and threatened species list. But while the turtle no longer meets the scientific criteria for listing, the population is vulnerable to harvest and collection. To address this, the DNR has started a new administrative rule process to add the Blanding's turtle to the Protected Wild Animals List.
You are invited to submit comments through February 5, 2014, on the potential economic impacts on the proposed addition of the Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) to the State’s Protected Wild Animal list, possession exemptions, and turtle seasons and limits.
Pursuant to s. 227.137, Wis. Stats., the department is required to solicit comments on the economic impact of proposed rule ER-30-13 and, if requested, to coordinate with local governments in the preparation of an economic impact analysis (EIA).
A preliminary draft of the EIA and a draft of the proposed rule order are available for download at the DNR's proposed permanent rules page or at Wisconsin's administrative rules page.
If you are not able to access or download the information, please send an email to Terrell Hyde or call (608) 264-9255.
Comments may be submitted electronically to: terrell.hyde@wisconsin.gov or may be mailed to: Terrell Hyde (NH/6), Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI. 53707. Comments are to be postmarked no later than February 5, 2014.