08-06-2004, 02:17 AM
PIERRE, S.D. -- The State of South Dakota was recently successful in gaining exclusion from critical habitat designation for the Topeka shiner, a federal endangered species found in eastern South Dakota. On July 27, 2004, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced its final designation for critical habitat, an Endangered Species Act tool. Topeka shiner critical habitat was designated in Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota, while South Dakota, Missouri and Kansas were excluded.
According to Game, Fish and Parks Aquatic Ecologist Jeff Shearer, critical habitat can be designated for endangered or threatened species if the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determines that specific areas are essential to conserve the species.
"If negative impacts outweigh the benefits, the service can choose to exclude areas from the designation," he said. "Game, Fish and Parks advocated against the designation in South Dakota, because of the perceived negative impact by private landowners within the species’ range in the state, which includes portions of the James, Big Sioux, and Vermillion river basins." Shearer added that Game, Fish and Parks worked closely with the USFWS’ Ecological Services Office in Pierre and with many interested organizations and entities to prove that the state’s Topeka Shiner Management Plan would accomplish what is needed to keep South Dakota’s Topeka shiner populations healthy.
"This success story illustrates the flexibility of the Endangered Species Act and the tremendous importance of working together on these issues," said Game, Fish and Parks Secretary John Cooper. "We have made a strong commitment to this species, which is doing well in South Dakota. When states are fully engaged on endangered species issues and willing to put a strong effort forward, we can lessen the impact on South Dakota residents."
To learn more about the state’s Topeka shiner management planning effort, visit online at [url "http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/Diversity/Topeka%20Shiner/Topekashiner.htm"][font "Arial"]www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/Diversity/Topeka%20Shiner/Topekashiner.htm[/font][/url][font "Arial"].[/font]
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According to Game, Fish and Parks Aquatic Ecologist Jeff Shearer, critical habitat can be designated for endangered or threatened species if the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determines that specific areas are essential to conserve the species.
"If negative impacts outweigh the benefits, the service can choose to exclude areas from the designation," he said. "Game, Fish and Parks advocated against the designation in South Dakota, because of the perceived negative impact by private landowners within the species’ range in the state, which includes portions of the James, Big Sioux, and Vermillion river basins." Shearer added that Game, Fish and Parks worked closely with the USFWS’ Ecological Services Office in Pierre and with many interested organizations and entities to prove that the state’s Topeka Shiner Management Plan would accomplish what is needed to keep South Dakota’s Topeka shiner populations healthy.
"This success story illustrates the flexibility of the Endangered Species Act and the tremendous importance of working together on these issues," said Game, Fish and Parks Secretary John Cooper. "We have made a strong commitment to this species, which is doing well in South Dakota. When states are fully engaged on endangered species issues and willing to put a strong effort forward, we can lessen the impact on South Dakota residents."
To learn more about the state’s Topeka shiner management planning effort, visit online at [url "http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/Diversity/Topeka%20Shiner/Topekashiner.htm"][font "Arial"]www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/Diversity/Topeka%20Shiner/Topekashiner.htm[/font][/url][font "Arial"].[/font]
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