The Trump administration is reopening public comment on a proposal that would add the monarch butterfly to the list of threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.
On Tuesday, the Fish and Wildlife Service announced a 60-day public comment period to determine whether the orange-and-black butterfly is at risk of extinction.
“Everyone can do their part to save the monarch butterfly,” the Fish and Wildlife Service said. “Given the species’ shared habitat use and wide distribution, all sectors of society can participate in a variety of conservation efforts throughout the butterfly’s range.”
According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, public comment plays an important role in the development of ESA listings. The agency emphasized that it wants to ensure that “everyone has the opportunity to share information relevant to the conservation status of a species, including the relevant 4(d) rule and proposed critical habitat designation.”
Section 4(d) supports butterfly conservation through species protection. During the first Trump administration, some 61 species were given higher priority than the monarch. The comment period, which begins Wednesday, will be extended to May 19.
Monarch butterflies are known for their mass aggregations and long-distance migrations to Mexico and the California coast.
“However, monarch numbers in North America have declined significantly over the past two decades,” says the Fish and Wildlife Service, which says it is “committed to every effort” to conserve monarchs.
“We can’t do this alone,” the agency added. “We are focused on increasing monarch habitat on lands we manage and working with all monarch conservation partners, including tribes, state and federal agencies, and conservation organizations.”
Sourse: www.upi.com
