Critical habitat proposed for 22 NMI species
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has opened a public comment period for a proposed critical habitat for 22 species found in the Northern Marianas. The proposed critical habitat includes 59,887 acres across the CNMI and Guam, covering Saipan, Tinian, Rota, Aguiguan, Alamagan, Asunción, Pagan and Sarigan. The proposed critical habitat is for Slevin’s skink (guali’ik halumtåno, gholuuf), the Pacific sheath-tailed bat (fanihin gånas), four land snails, three insects and 13 plants. All 22 species are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act, and a full list of the species can be found in the Federal Register. The primary threats to listed species in the Mariana Islands are invasive species and habitat loss. Additional threats include urban development, drought, wildfires and natural events such as typhoons, earthquakes and tsunamis. It is important to note critical habitat designations only affect federal agency actions or federally funded or permitted activities. Critical habitat designations do not affect activities by private landowners that have no federal connection, such as federal funding or federal permits required to carry out the activity. To submit a public comment, go to regulations.gov, search FWS-R1-ES-2024-0194, and enter your thoughts as a comment.