W.Va. squirrel removed from endangered species list
The West Virginia northern flying squirrel is being removed from the endangered species list, federal wildlife officials announced this morning.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The West Virginia northern flying squirrel is being removed from the endangered species list, federal wildlife officials announced this morning.
Interior Secretary Dick Kempthorne issued a news release about the move, which was to be formally announced in a Federal Register notice on Tuesday.
Kempthorne said that the squirrel has recovered from the brink of extinction. He attributed the rebound to conservation efforts and regeneration of the squirrel's forest habitat.
"Based on data from more than 20 years of monitoring the squirrel's presence in the forest, as well as the completion of extensive habitat analysis, our scientists are confident that the squirrel has recovered to the point where it no longer requires federal protection," Kempthorne said.
Check wvgazette.com later today for updated information.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The West Virginia northern flying squirrel is being removed from the endangered species list, federal wildlife officials announced this morning.
Interior Secretary Dick Kempthorne issued a news release about the move, which was to be formally announced in a Federal Register notice on Tuesday.
Kempthorne said that the squirrel has recovered from the brink of extinction. He attributed the rebound to conservation efforts and regeneration of the squirrel's forest habitat.
"Based on data from more than 20 years of monitoring the squirrel's presence in the forest, as well as the completion of extensive habitat analysis, our scientists are confident that the squirrel has recovered to the point where it no longer requires federal protection," Kempthorne said.
Check wvgazette.com later today for updated information.
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I have no problem with the timber industry when it acts responsibly. This however is not the case in Blackwater Canyon. It would be great if it were but the fact is that it is not. The state definitely dropped the ball on this purchase but I feel that not all of the details of this sale are publicly known to a great extent. This is a very ecologically sensitive area. I trust that you are a timber cutter who would take things like endangered species habitat into account and not clear cut. It really is not profitable in the long run.
I wonder how much the timber industry spent on this declassification?