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Rare Reptile May Receive a Reprieve Afterall

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.

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. The Service manages the 96 million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 545 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign and Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.

Source: FWS