Additional Coverage:
Monarch Butterflies to Receive Federal Protection
In a significant move, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced plans to extend federal protections to monarch butterflies. The proposal, which will undergo public comment for 90 days, would list the butterfly as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act.
Declining Populations Drive Decision
The decision follows years of warnings from conservationists that monarch populations are rapidly declining. Environmental factors such as climate change, agricultural expansion, and herbicide use have contributed to the loss of milkweed, the primary food source for monarch caterpillars.
Critical Habitat Designated
The proposal includes designating 4,395 acres in California as critical habitat for monarchs that migrate west of the Rocky Mountains. This designation prohibits federal agencies from destroying or modifying the habitat and requires landowners with projects requiring federal permits to mitigate any impacts on the butterflies.
Protection Measures
Under the proposed listing, it would be illegal to kill or transport monarchs. However, people can continue to remove milkweed and raise monarchs for educational purposes. Incidental kills from vehicle strikes are also allowed.
Historical Effort
The effort to list monarchs as threatened began a decade ago. Conservation groups petitioned the government in 2014, and after a legal settlement, the government agreed to make a decision by December 2024.
Reasons for Threatened Status
Scientists determined that monarchs west of the Rockies face a high risk of extinction by 2080, while the eastern population faces a moderate risk. As a result, the species was proposed as threatened rather than endangered.
Public Comment and Next Steps
The public will have 90 days to comment on the proposal. The wildlife service will then review the comments and decide whether to proceed with the listing or modify it. If the listing is finalized, it will be published by December 2025.