Beetle gets extra protection

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20100407/NEWS01/704079822/0#beetle-gets-extra-protection

Published Wednesday April 7, 2010

LINCOLN (AP) — More than 1,900 acres in Lancaster and Saunders counties have been designated critical habitat for the endangered Salt Creek tiger beetle, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Wednesday.

Wildlife Service spokeswoman Diane Katzenberger said from her office in Lakewood, Colo., that the designation merely adds an extra layer of review if a landowner wants to do something with the land that requires federal funding or permit.

She said the landowner would have to consult with Fish and Wildlife or with the appropriate federal agency to see whether the changes to the land could harm the beetles or their habitat.

The 1,933 acres include saline wetlands and stream formations along Little Salt Creek and Rock Creek.

The half-inch-long Salt Creek tiger beetle is considered one of the rarest insects in the United States. It was listed as endangered in October 2005.
Advertising

During last June’s annual count, researchers found 194 adult beetles — up from 165 found in 2008. But that’s far short of the 263 found in 2007 and around a quarter of the 777 in 2002.

FULL story and photo at link.