Please contact Jane Clark at [log in to unmask] if you'd like more details
or contact information.

Notice of Intended Action-Chapter 77, Endangered and Threatened Plant and
Animal Species

The Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources (IDNR) is proposing a number of
changes to its lists of threatened, endangered and "special concern"
species.  The bobcat, yellowbelly water snake (both currently
endangered), river otter and grasshopper mouse (both currently
threatened) would be removed from the lists entirely and few others
would be added or changed in status.  The current proposal includes
only mammals and reptiles, but proposed changes in status for birds,
butterflies, and plants are expected soon.  Unfortunately, IDNR does
not post its rulemaking proposals on the web, but you can contact
Billy Stern at [log in to unmask] for an attachment copy of the
proposal.  Comments will be accepted until November 20, when there
will be a public meeting at 10 a.m. in the Wallace State Office
Building in Des Moines.  Send comments to Division of Parks,
Recreation, and Preserves, Department of Natural Resources, Wallace
State Office Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0034, fax (515)
281-6794.  For more information, or to give comments orally, contact
the state's Endangered Species Program at (515) 281-8524.

Amendments are proposed to the list of endangered, threatened, and special
concern mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. These proposed amendments reflect
new survey information, regional status, distribution changes since 1930,
estimated habitat changes in the next ten years, and population trends. A
copy of the worksheet used to rank the species within each group is
attached. Species with the highest scores are proposed to be listed as
endangered. Natural breaks in the scores were used to separate species into
endangered, threatened, special concern, and not listed categories. The
ranking criteria are based on information from other states, scientific
literature, and comments received after a public meeting held at Iowa State
University April 22, 1999. The public meeting at Iowa State University was
held to discuss various ranking factors and solicit public input.

The proposed amendments remove three and add one mammal species to the list
of endangered and threatened. Two of the mammal species have shown dramatic
improvements in status during the last 10 years. The river otter has
increased due to the very successful re-introduction program on inland
rivers. Bobcats have been reported from about 30 counties in the last few
years. The loess hills and southern Iowa have had the greatest number of rec
ent records for this species.

One reptile is added and one is removed from the endangered and threatened
species list. The status of several species has improved from endangered to
threatened. Two species have common and/or scientific name changes.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Information about individual species and groups of species may be reviewed
at the Division's offices in the Wallace State Office Building during normal
work hours.  Anyone wishing to review this information must schedule an
appointment by calling (515)281-8524.
These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code chapter 481B.

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