Service Finds the Island Marble Butterfly Does Not Warrant Federal Protection
Ted Thomas (360) 753-4327
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the Island Marble butterfly, a recently-rediscovered species thought to have been extirpated for more than 90 years, will not be added to the Federal list of threatened and endangered species. Following a 12-month status review, the Service concluded that the species does not warrant listing at this time because threats to the species are not as great as previously thought and the National Park Service (NPS) - the primary landowner of Island Marble habitat - is implementing actions, outlined in a Conservation Agreement with the Service, to ensure the conservation of the butterfly.
"The Park Service efforts, and actions taken by private landowners, have reduced the threats to the species," said Ren Lohoefener, Director of the Service's Pacific Region.
Regional Director Lohoefener said he is committed to maintaining the positive momentum of voluntary conservation actions by making Island Marble butterfly conservation a priority for Service partnerships in the Pacific Region. Working with Federal and non-Federal partners through a West Coast Butterfly Initiative, the Service will focus attention on the plight of more than a dozen declining species of West Coast butterflies and provide support for implementing positive conservation actions.
The Service made its determination not to list the Island Marble butterfly in response to a petition received in 2002 from the Xerces Society, the Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the San Juans and the Northwest Ecosystem Alliance requesting emergency listing of the species and designation of critical habitat. In an earlier 90-day petition finding the Service determined that an emergency listing was not warranted because the species occupied a larger area than was originally known. As part of the petition process the Service initiated a comprehensive status review, known as a 12-month petition finding. Today's announcement concludes that process.
To assess the status and range of the species the Service conducted extensive public outreach and 325 surveys in six northern Washington counties, including 16 of the San Juan Islands. The surveys found 26 distinct Island Marble butterfly locations and discovered at least four new populations on San Juan and Lopez Islands.
The Island Marble butterfly is a non-migratory, highly endemic species that lives its entire life within suitable habitat found on San Juan and Lopez Islands in Washington State. Adults fly for a short period in the spring, utilizing native and non-native plants of the mustard family. The butterfly inhabits upland grasslands, sand dunes and coastal lagoon habitat.
Information about the status and conservation needs for the Island Marble butterfly can be submitted to the Service by writing to Manager, Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, 510 Desmond Drive SE, Suite 102, Lacey, Washington 98503 or by fax to 260-753-9008, or e-mailed to
islandmarble@fws.gov
. Please include 'Island Marble Butterfly' in the title line for faxes and e-mails.
