TRENTON — The Department of Environmental Protection wants to add five species to New Jersey’s endangered species list, the first time it has suggested changes to the registry in eight years. The list, which now includes 46 species of birds, reptiles, mammals and amphibians, was created by the Legislature in 1973 to increase legal protection for wildlife whose populations...
A red knot is examined by scientists along the Delaware Bay in this May 2009 file photo.TRENTON — The Department of Environmental Protection wants to add five species to New Jersey’s endangered species list, the first time it has suggested changes to the registry in eight years.
The list, which now includes 46 species of birds, reptiles, mammals and amphibians, was created by the Legislature in 1973 to increase legal protection for wildlife whose populations are in danger of disappearing.
The DEP proposal, which will be presented to the Endangered and Nongame Species Advisory Committee today, would also reclassify eight other endangered species on the list so that they will only be considered endangered during certain times of the year.
Under the proposed changes, there will also be fewer categories for classifying species that do not rise to the level of endangered or threatened. Current classifications, such as "declining," "increasing" and "stable," would be eliminated and replaced by fewer categories such as "special concern," officials said.
"What we’re trying to do is simplify the terminology so that the public can understand it more easily," DEP spokesman Larry Hajna said.
The five species proposed for the list include three birds — the black rail, the golden-winged warbler and red knot — as well as the gray petaltail dragonfly. Also newly included on the list is the tiny Indiana bat, which has been on the federal endangered list since 1973.
The eight birds which are going to be reclassified, include the bald eagle, which has rebounded in recent years. Under the new plan, it would only be considered endangered during its breeding season from January to August. The rest of the year it would be classified as "threatened."
The proposed changes would also reduce the need for protected habitat in New Jersey by about 31,000 acres — over 48 square miles — which could then be opened to economic development, the plan concludes.
"The net result of the proposed listing and de-listing is an overall reduction in lands protected as endangered and threatened species habitat," according to the plan. "The indirect effect is a potential for increased economic growth due to the net decrease in area determined to be potential threatened species habitat and thus restricted under other regulations."
Tim Dillingham, executive director of the American Littoral Society, said the loss of thousands of acres of habitat could be a significant loss for the state.
"The endangered species protections are often the last line of defense against sprawl. Local land use boards don’t do it," Dillingham said. "I think we need to be careful and make sure the reclassification of these animals is not weakening protections."
Hajna said the plan has already been approved by DEP Commissioner Bob Martin. The public comment period on the proposed changes lasts through March 19. After that, the DEP will decide whether to alter the plan, and implement the final changes, Hajna said.
Jeff Tittel, the executive director of the Sierra Club’s New Jersey chapter said most of the changes were a "major step backward" for protecting rare animals and insects. Certain species which will be listed of "special concern" should be listed as endangered or threatened, but will lack protections under the new classification, he said.
"We say we’re going to do something ... but the question becomes, what kind of protections do they get?" Tittel said. "The science shows there should be many more added to the list."
The last change to New Jersey’s list of endangered and threatened species was made in 2003. At that time, the agency concentrated on mussels, butterflies, reptiles and amphibians.
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this post included erroneous information from the DEP on the breeding season of the eagle. Kathy Clark, a biologist with the Department of Environmental Protection's Endangered and Nongame Species Program, said the eagle's total breeding and nesting season in January runs longer, from January through August.