Once common across much of the eastern and upper midwestern U.S., populations have declined due to habitat loss, pesticide use, disease and climate change . BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to designate approximately 1.6 million acres of occupied critical habitat across 33 counties in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin for the endangered rusty patched bumble bee under the Endangered Species Act. Most of the proposed critical habitat designation is on private land within urban areas. If finalized, the critical habitat designation will not affect activities by private landowners unless the activity is funded or authorized by a federal agency.