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MEDIA RELEASE: Maine Audubon Applauds Legislature’s Efforts on Behalf of Endangered Species

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

April 30, 2015

Contact:
Jenn Burns Gray, Maine Audubon Staff Attorney and Advocate
jgray@maineaudubon.org, 207-798-2900

Maine Audubon Applauds Legislature’s Efforts on Behalf of Endangered Species
Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee has voted unanimously in support of LD 807

Maine Audubon is delighted to announce that the Legislature’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee has voted unanimously in support of adding five species to the state’s Endangered and Threatened Species List.

The little brown bat has been added to the Maine Endangered and Threatened Species list.

LD 807, sponsored by Sen. Tom Saviello (R-Franklin), adds five species to the endangered list (Cobblestone tiger beetle, Frigga fritillary, Six-whorl vertigo, Little brown bat, and Northern long-eared bat) and one species to the threatened list (Eastern small-footed bat). LD 807 also changes the status of two species from endangered to threatened (Clayton’s copper, Roaring Brook mayfly) and one species from threatened to endangered (Black-Crowned Night Heron). The committee voted unanimously to support the bill with an amendment to fix a technical error.

Maine Audubon supports timely review and amendments to Maine’s Threatened and Endangered Species List, which was last updated in 2007.

“Maine Audubon applauds the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee’s excellent work on LD 807,” said Charles Gauvin, executive director of Maine Audubon. “The committee listened to the science and respected the work of the biologists at the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW).  Sending the bill to the floor with such strong support sends the right message to the full legislature.”

“The committee recognizes that MDIFW biologists are dedicated to the conservation of our state’s wildlife and they know more than anyone about the status and future of each of these species in Maine,” said Sen. Paul T. Davis, Sr. (Senate Chair, R-Piscataquis). “We strongly support and commend their efforts and this bill updating the Maine Endangered Species List. I am pleased to send the bill with unanimous support to the full Legislature for its endorsement.”

Maine Audubon is especially concerned about the future of the three bat species proposed for listing. All three species hibernate together in caves, and all have declined dramatically in Maine — and in the entire northeast region — since the discovery and spread of the fungus that causes the disease known as White Nose Syndrome.

“It’s clear that bats are in trouble,” said Rep. Stanley Short, Jr. (U-Pittsfield). “I used to have dozens of bats at my house and they’ve disappeared. I even built a bat house but there’s still no activity.  Listing the bats will help open doors for much needed funding opportunities.”

“The committee did excellent work on this bill,” said Rep. Mike Shaw (House Chair, D-Standish). “It’s clear that the listing process is thorough and sound and based on science. I commend the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for proposing updates to the list based on thorough reviews of species population size, trend and distribution and the Committee for moving this bill to the floor with unanimous support.”

The bill could come to the floor any time.

Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee members:
Senator Paul T. Davis, Sr. (R-Piscataquis), Chair
Senator Scott W. Cyrway (R-Kennebec)
Senator David E. Dutremble (D-York)
Representative Michael A. Shaw (D-Standish), Chair
Representative Roland Danny Martin (D-Sinclair)
Representative Robert W. Alley, Sr. (D-Beals)
Representative Dale J. Crafts (R-Lisbon)*
Representative Stephen J. Wood (R-Greene)
Representative Roger E. Reed (R-Carmel)
Representative Patrick W. Corey (R-Windham)
Representative Gary L. Hilliard (R-Belgrade)
Representative Peter A. Lyford (R-Eddington)
Representative Stanley Byron Short, Jr. (U-Pittsfield)
Representative Matthew Dana II (Passamaquoddy Tribe)

For more information, contact Jenn Gray at jgray@maineaudubon.org, 207-798-2900

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About Maine Audubon Maine Audubon’s science-based approach to conservation, education and advocacy advances wildlife and wildlife habitat conservation in Maine. Our citizen science programs connect Maine people to engaging volunteer opportunities that make meaningful contributions to conservation research. The largest Maine-based wildlife conservation organization, Maine Audubon has eight centers and wildlife sanctuaries and serves over 50,000 people annually, with 20,000 members and 2,000 volunteers.

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