Supplemental Information on the Proposed Change in Status and Critical Habitat Designation for the Flatwoods Salamander
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2008
Contacts:
Tom MacKenzie, FWS, (678) 296-6400, Tom_MacKenzie@fws.gov
Connie Light Dickard, 601/321-112
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provided supplemental information today in the Federal Register on the proposed rule splitting the listing of the currently threatened flatwoods salamander into two distinct species, the frosted flatwoods salamander and reticulated flatwoods salamander, and designating critical habitat for both species.
This additional notice provides a threat analysis justifying the determination that the frosted flatwoods salamander will maintain its threatened status under the Endangered Species Act.
The Service is accepting public comments from all interested parties on the proposed rule (73 FR 47258, August 13, 2008), the associated draft economic analysis, the listing status of both species, and the supplemental information. If you previously submitted comments on the August 13th proposed rule, you do not need to resubmit them because they have been incorporated into the public record and will be fully considered in preparation of the Service’s final determination.
A final decision on the reclassification of the reticulated flatwoods salamander from threatened to endangered, and designation of critical habitat for both species of flatwoods salamander, will consider all comments and information received by October 14, 2008.
The supplemental information appears in the Federal Register today and can be found at http://www.fws.gov/policy/library/E8-21878.html. A copy also can be obtained by contacting Connie Light Dickard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 6578 Dogwood View Parkway, Suite A, Jackson, Mississippi 39213; phone 601-321-1121.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. Visit the Service’s website at http://www.fws.gov or http://www.fws.gov/southeast/
