Pre-Listing:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) determines whether to add a species to the Federal lists of endangered and threatened and wildlife plants through our listing program. The first step in the listing process is to assess the status of a species. We publish "notices of review" that identify U.S. species that we believe meet the definition of endangered or threatened (we refer to these as candidate species). Through our notices of review, we seek biological information that will complete the status reviews for these candidate species. 2007 Candidate Notice of Review.

While candidate species meet our listing criteria, the Service is often precluded from formally listing a species due to other higher priority activities. Candidate species do not receive protection under the Endangered Species Act but the Service works with Federal and non-Federal partners to conserve these species. Candidate conservation agreements are often initiated for these species with the goal of eliminating the current threats and ultimately preventing the need for listing. More information on candidate conservation.

Draft Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances (CCAA) Handbook available for review and comment (Endangered Species):

Now available - Service Guidance on Conservation Efforts. For more information, refer to our National Endangered Species Website.

Candidate Species in New York State - There are three candidate species (under Service jurisdiction) known to occur in New York. The Eastern massasauga rattlesnake, the New England cottontail, and the rayed bean. A fourth candidate, the bog asphodel (a plant in the lily family) includes New York within its potential range but is believed to be extirpated from this state. In addition, NOAA-Fisheries has designated the Atlantic sturgeon as a candidate for listing.

Eastern Massassauga Rattlesnake(Sistrurus catenatus catenatus)

 

 

 

 

 

Listing:

Leedy's roseroot (Sedum integrifolium spp. Leedyi)

Once a species is chosen for listing, we or the NOAA Fisheries publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register. Comments may be provided during the specified comment period and one of three courses of action is taken: (1) a final listing rule is published; (2) the proposal is withdrawn because the biological information does not support the listing; or (3) the proposal is extended for 6 months because of substantial disagreement concerning the biological appropriateness of the listing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Critical Habitat - TheService also designates critical habitat for many listed species through our listing program.

Critical Habitat within New York State - Within New York State, the Service has designated critical habitat for the Great Lakes population of piping plovers.

For more information on the Service's Endangered Species Program, go to http://endangered.fws.gov