Conservation groups plan legal action against U.S. Forest Service for endangered forest bats
Conservation groups plan legal action against U.S. Forest Service ... Carolina Public Press
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Conservation Groups Unite to Protect Endangered Forest Bats in Nantahala-Pisgah Forest
Multiple conservation groups are joining forces to address the shortcomings of the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan. On July 26, six organizations issued a notice of intent to sue the U.S. Forest Service in U.S. District Court, demanding greater efforts to protect the habitat of endangered forest bats. These organizations include the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), representing MountainTrue, the Sierra Club, The Wilderness Society, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Center for Biological Diversity. The notice of intent was filed under the Endangered Species Act, highlighting how the Forest Service’s reliance on inadequate information puts endangered wildlife at risk.
The Importance of Forest Bats to the Ecosystem
Forest bats play a crucial role in the ecosystem by consuming insect pests, pollinating plants, and dispersing seeds. They also help save billions of dollars each year in crop damage and pesticide costs. The presence or absence of bats can serve as an indicator of the overall health of a landscape. However, bat populations are declining due to white nose syndrome, a disease caused by a fungus, as well as habitat loss.
The Main Issues Raised by Conservation Groups
The notice of intent letter alleges that the Forest Service violated the ESA in multiple ways, including failing to provide the best available science and relying on inaccurate and incomplete information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The conservation groups argue that the forest plan expands logging in critical habitats for endangered bats and fails to consider the impact of climate change on forest disturbances. They also point out flaws in the FWS’s biological opinion regarding bat protection.
Expansion of Logging in Critical Habitats
Critics believe that flawed assumptions in the forest plan could lead to timber projects with a significant cumulative impact on the long-term survival of endangered bats and other species. The conservation groups are urging the Forest Service to amend the plan and limit timber harvesting in areas that could harm imperiled bat species.
Response from U.S. Forest Service
The U.S. Forest Service cannot comment on ongoing litigation, according to National Forest spokesperson Jenifer Bunty. She emphasized that the revised plan was developed in coordination with various agencies and organizations, incorporating input from the public. The Forest Service is committed to making decisions informed by science to create healthy and resilient forests.
Overall, the conservation groups hope that their legal action will lead to greater protection for endangered forest bats and prompt the Forest Service to reconsider its forest management plan.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 15: Life on Land
- Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
- Indicator: The decline or improvement in the population of endangered forest bats and other species in the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan area.
-
SDG 13: Climate Action
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
- Indicator: The extent to which the Forest Service’s forest plan considers the ecological impact of climate change on endangered forest bats and their habitat.
-
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
- Indicator: The Forest Service’s management strategies and goals outlined in the forest plan to ensure the sustainable use of forest resources and the protection of endangered species and their habitats.
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. | The decline or improvement in the population of endangered forest bats and other species in the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan area. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | The extent to which the Forest Service’s forest plan considers the ecological impact of climate change on endangered forest bats and their habitat. |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. | The Forest Service’s management strategies and goals outlined in the forest plan to ensure the sustainable use of forest resources and the protection of endangered species and their habitats. |
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Source: carolinapublicpress.org
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