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Lake States Forest Management Bat Habitat Conservation Plan

USFWS Reclassifies the Northern Long-Eared Bat as Endangered

On November 30, 2022, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced that the northern long-eared bat has been up-listed from threatened to endangered status under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA); please visit the USFWS northern long-eared bat webpage [exit DNR] and Federal Register notice [exit DNR] for more information and resources. The up-listing will take effect in 60 days, beginning on January 30, 2023.

Implications for Landowners Conducting Forest Management Activities

Between now and when the up-listing becomes effective, the DNR encourages landowners to continue to follow the current northern long-eared bat 4(d) rule [exit DNR]. After January 30, 2023 the DNR encourages landowners to follow any USFWS-issued guidance for landowners. The USFWS is developing “general timber management guidance that will aid in assessing risk and provide recommendations to avoid and minimize impacts to northern long-eared bats” (USFWS Frequently Asked Questions document included in the northern long-eared bat webpage above). Landowners can consult with the FWS Minnesota-Wisconsin Ecological Services Field Office [exit DNR] about their activities and complying with the ESA.

The USFWS will soon issue the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) as a result of completing the Lake States Forest Management Bat Habitat Conservation Plan (Bat HCP). Through the ITP, the DNR will administer a Landowner Enrollment Program (LEP), which will allow the DNR to extend take authorization to eligible nonfederal landowners whose activities may take northern long-eared bats. Information about the LEP will be forthcoming.

Important facts

  • Fast-moving white-nose syndrome is increasing the likelihood that the federally threatened northern long-eared bat and other bat species will be reclassified as endangered in the near future.
  • The Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan Departments of Natural Resources are developing a joint, large-scale HCP. The HCP describes the costs and benefits of forest management for bats, and details conservation measures to offset forest management impacts on bats.
  • Wisconsin forest land owners—public or private—may voluntarily participate in the HCP and have certain forest management activities in their woodlands permitted for incidental take by its provisions. They also have the option to develop their own HCP through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, if desired.
  • The HCP integrates forest practices with conservation measures to support bat populations. Input from forest land owners, forest managers, conservation groups and other stakeholders is essential to developing an effective HCP.

What you can do

View the introductory webinar. To provide background, our partners with the MN DNR have developed an introductory online video that will be available for viewing beginning Tuesday, July 25, 2017. If you need an accommodation to view the video, contact Nicholas Zouski at (608)267-7490 or email DNRNHCForestBatHCP@wisconsin.gov at your earliest convenience.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [exit DNR] has more information about other steps you can take.

Frequently asked questions

Why should I care about Wisconsin's forest bats?

Bats are a critical component of a healthy ecosystem. A bat can consume its weight in insects every night, reducing the need for agricultural pesticides and decreasing mosquito populations.

WNS is causing dramatic declines in bat populations of Wisconsin and across the country. Many forest bats are imperiled because of this disease.

Forest management activities benefit bats and other wildlife, while maintaining healthy forests and generating income for landowners and timber companies.

Many of Wisconsin's bats spend spring, summer and fall in the state's forests, where they spend their days roosting in tree cavities and crevices, and under loose bark. Female bats give birth to young while in these tree roosts. Before they are able to fly, young bats may be vulnerable to the effects of normal forest management activities.

Wisconsinites want healthy bat populations that have access to the habitat they need to thrive and reproduce.

Why does Wisconsin need a forest bat Habitat Conservation Plan?

In response to the effects of WNS, in 2015 the USFWS designated the northern long-eared bat as "threatened" under the federal Endangered Species Act. The 2015 designation included special provisions to allow for continued management of forest habitat.

If Wisconsin's forest bats continue to decline as expected, they will likely be reclassified as "endangered." If that happens, the special provisions will no longer be available.

Once designated as endangered, an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) will allow for otherwise restricted summer forest management to occur. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can issue an ITP only if the applicant develops a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP).

The HCP describes the costs and benefits of forest management for bats, and what conservation measures will be implemented to offset impacts of forest management on bats. It integrates forest practices with conservation measures that support bat populations.

What is the DNR's role in the Habitat Conservation Plan?

The Wisconsin DNR is partnering with the Minnesota and Michigan DNRs to develop the Lake States Forest Bat Habitat Conservation Plan.

As a forest land owner, the Wisconsin DNR will benefit from the HCP since the HCP will allow the Wisconsin DNR to apply for an Incidental Take Permit. The DNR will extend the same opportunity to other land owners as a public service.

A federal grant to the three states is paying for development of the HCP.

DNR experts in bat conservation and forest management are guiding development of the HCP.

As a forest land owner, what do I need to know?

If any of Wisconsin’s forest bats are reclassified as federally endangered, forest landowners will need to consider the effect of their activities on the bats.

Participation in the HCP is voluntary,but is one way to ensure that a landowner's forest management activities can be conducted without impacting endangered species.

Participants will know they are complying with federal regulations and will provide conservation benefits to bat species while managing their forest.