On September 6, 2007, a Congressional Update about a draft recovery plan for a rare snake was sent to 12 local congressional offices in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.

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Draft Recovery Plan Outlines Steps to Recover Rare Snake – Congressional Notification

Actions to help recover populations of the threatened northern copperbelly watersnake are outlined in a draft recovery plan for the species released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  The Service is seeking comments from the public on the plan, which is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in parts of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. 

Recovery plans are developed for plants and animals listed as endangered or threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act.  Recovery plans provide a blueprint of recommended actions by state, federal, corporate and other managers to improve the status of listed species to the point that they no longer need protection of the ESA.

Copperbelly watersnakes are limited to only a few small, scattered and isolated populations in south central Michigan, northeastern Indiana and northwestern Ohio.  This non-venomous snake lives in areas with shallow wetlands in forested areas, especially those that are fed by seasonal flooding.  Loss of this type of habitat is the main threat to the species.

The draft recovery plan proposes several measures to enhance populations of the northern copperbelly watersnake, including population and habitat monitoring, identification and protection of habitat, public education and outreach, and improved understanding of the species’ ecology.

A copy of the draft recovery plan is available by contacting the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Field Office, 2651 Coolidge Road, Suite 101, East Lansing, Michigan 48823-6316 (telephone (517) 351-2555) or by accessing the website: http://midwest.fws.gov/Endangered.  Comments on the plan may be sent to the address above or via e-mail to copperbellyplan@fws.gov and must be received by November 5, 2007.