Idaho Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Special Status Animal Species List Update
Bureau of Land Management
1387 South Vinnell Way
Boise, ID 83709-1657
United States
6840 (931) P
This Change 1 updates the SSS List to reflect a recent FWS determination (11/29/23) that wolverines are an ESA Threatened Species.
In accordance with BLM Manual 6840, the animal portion of the Idaho BLM Special Status Species (SSS) List has been updated, based on the latest science, to assist the field in addressing conservation and monitoring priorities.
Mission
This Instruction Memorandum (IM) transmits Idaho’s Special Status Animal Species list update. The Bureau’s national SSS policy (6840.04 sections D.4 and D.6, ), provide that State Directors are responsible for, “…ensuring that all actions comply with the Endangered Species Act (ESA)…including compliance with Section 7 consultations and conferences with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service” and for “designating Bureau sensitive species within their respective jurisdictions, and at least once every five years, reviewing and updating the Bureau sensitive species list…”. On BLM-administered lands, all offices are to “…manage Bureau sensitive species and their habitats to minimize or eliminate threats affecting the status of the species or to improve the condition of the species habitat” (6840.2.C). BLM Manual 6840 further describes Bureau sensitive species as species that require special management consideration to avoid potential future listing under the ESA.
Effective immediately
Since publication of the last formal update to the SSS animal list in FY2015, new information suggests that changes to the list were warranted including updating of some taxonomic names. Several animal species were removed from the list based on improving population trends or a re-evaluation of their nexus with BLM management. Several other species were added due to recent state, regional or national concerns.
Specific noteworthy changes included:
Species Removed - Due to improving trends/abundance, minimal BLM nexus.
- Amphibians:
- Idaho Giant Salamander
- Woodhouse’s Toad
- Birds:
- Brewer’s Sparrow
- Cassin’s Finch
- Black Tern
- Mammals:
- Coast Mole
- Piute Ground Squirrel (retained as Sensitive on Birds of Prey NCA; dropped as Sensitive elsewhere)
- Grizzly Bear Experimental Non-Essential (Bitterroot) Population. The grizzly continues to be protected as a Type 1 Special Status species, (ESA Threatened status)
Species Added - Due to regional and/or national concerns.
- Fish:
- Bluehead sucker
- Cedar Sculpin
- Invertebrates:
- Monarch Butterfly
- Western Bumblebee
- Suckley’s Cuckoo Bumblebee
- Western Ridged Mussel
6840 Special Status Species Management
Paul Makela, Wildlife Program Lead, pmakela@blm.gov (208) 373-3809 or Ethan Ellsworth, Threatened and Endangered Species Program Lead and acting Aquatic ResourcesProgram Lead, eellsworth@blm.gov (208) 373-4045
This action was coordinated between the Idaho State Office Branch of Resources and Science and terrestrial and aquatic specialists in the districts and field offices. Reviews and input were also provided by other BLM states and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game State Wildlife Action Plan Coordinator.