Thompson Issues Statement Following U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Decision to List Northern Long-Eared Bat as Threatened

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT' Thompson (PA-05) issued this statement following the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) decision to list the Northern Long-Eared Bat (NLEB) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA):

"The ruling announced today by the Fish and Wildlife Service does nothing to clarify which activities would be exempt under this interim rule. With no exemptions for activities unrelated to population losses, this broad listing will have significant consequences for a wide range of economic sectors across Pennsylvania, as well as the additional 38 states.

Rather than locking up lands and impeding commerce, the Service needs to go back to the drawing board and focus on new ways to treat and contain the spread of the real issue facing the Northern Long-Eared Bat, White Nose Syndrome."

The Fish & Wildlife Service has repeatedly acknowledged that White Nose Syndrome (WNS) is the greatest lone cause of population losses for the NLEB, yet the proposed rule only provides exemptions for a limited number of forest management activities. As such, Thompson has called for activities such as broad forest management, timber harvesting, oil and gas development, mining, agriculture, and construction of commercial and residential buildings to be given the proper flexibility and exemptions.

Thompson has formally weighed in twice with both the Department of Interior and the Fish & Wildlife Service. Both letters, signed May 14, 2014 and March, 13, 2015, call on the Fish & Wildlife Service to provide necessary flexibility with the Service's proposal to list the Northern Long-Eared Bat under the ESA. On September 8, 2014, Thompson also participated in a field hearing in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on the proposed listing held by the House Natural Resources Committee.

###