The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said it was “not prudent” to identify critical habitats for the tricolored bat.Noor AdatiaTexas Comptroller Glenn Hegar asked U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last week to refrain from identifying critical habitats for tricolored bats over concerns about how it could limit the state’s ability to produce energy.
“Given the distribution of tricolored bats compared to the actual prevalence of white-nose syndrome in Texas, designating significant portions of the state could have major economic implications if a critical habitat designation reduces or impedes energy production,” he wrote. These habitats usually have certain “biological and physical features” that are essential to the survival of an endangered species, Smith-Castro said., the agency determined that designating critical habitats for the tricolored bat is “not prudent” because current dwellings for the species are not facing widespread destruction or modification.
“Calling out the hibernacula and the roost locations is a problem in some cases,” Smith-Castro said. “And so that may be what led us to the not-prudent finding.” Listing a species as endangered, including the decision on whether to designate critical habitats, is a process that can take up to 12 months. The service is in the middle of evaluating public comments before it makes a final decision.
Tricolored bats are prevalent in the eastern and central parts of Texas, with some populations expanding west and north. They haven’t been affected by white-nose syndrome nearly as much as populations in other parts of the country, Smith-Castro said.
Yes, by all means, we should protect the oil and gas industry.
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