On the heels of significant comments by two regional fish and wildlife agency associations and two state forester associations, the US Fish and Wildlife Agency (USFWS) has re-opened the comment period for the listing of the Northern Long-Eared Bat as an endangered species.  These four state associations rejected the call to list the species as endangered stating that the “listing is not supported by the best scientific and commercial data available” (pg. 2 of the Associations letter).  The state forester associations also point out that standard forestry management practices would be impacted by the ruling without a special exemption.

The Northern Long-Eared Bat listing has been met with significant public comment as its range includes much of the Southeast, Midwest, and all of the Northeast United States (see range map).

If you would like to prepare comments on this listing, you have until December 18th to do so using the link provided below.  The USFWS final decision on the listing of the Northern Long-Eared Bat as an endangered species is now due April 2, 2015.

http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/mammals/nlba/pdf/MAFWA_SEAFWA_NLEBletter5Nov2014.pdf

http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/mammals/nlba/NR18Nov2014ReOpenCmmntPrd_NLEB.html.