FWS Proposes Accounting for Climate Change-Driven Habitat Changes When Reintroducing Species

On June 6, 2022, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) proposed a rule that would allow the reintroduction of endangered or threatened species outside of their historic range to account for climate impacts. Section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act allows FWS to designate “experimental populations” of such species that may be released outside of their current range for the purpose of species conservation. Current FWS regulations only allow for the introduction of endangered species within their “historical range.” The proposed rule would remove that limitation. As explained in the proposed rule, FWS has “concluded that it may be increasingly necessary and appropriate to establish experimental populations outside of their historical range if the ability of the habitat to support one or more life history stages has been reduced due to threats, such as climate change or invasive species.”

FWS is accepting comments for 60 days after the proposed rule’s publication in the Federal Register.