Proposed Updates to the List of Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Fish and Wildlife Species of New York State

Proposed Updates

Starting in 2024, the DEC will begin the process of proposing updates to the New York State List of Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Fish & Wildlife Species. This process will be done incrementally by species group, beginning with freshwater fish. In addition to freshwater fish, this proposed update will also include the additions of six fish and wildlife species listed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and recently found to be present in New York State and one species of recently described frog. Upon completion of this initial process, subsequent rules will be proposed to evaluate and address changes to listed invertebrates, marine species, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds.
 

Freshwater Fish

Displayed in the table below are the current and proposed changes for freshwater fish species. Each of these species has undergone a comprehensive review and an updated status assessment has been prepared, including an updated map of records. The assessments were used as the basis of any proposed change in status and are linked in the table below under common name. Based on our assessments, these proposed changes are consistent with regulations and the conservation needs of the species. 

Additional Fish and Wildlife Species

Along with freshwater fish, this proposed update will also include the additions of seven fish and wildlife species. Under the state endangered species law and its implementing regulations, federally endangered and threatened species found in New York are automatically considered state endangered and threatened species, regardless of statewide trends. Since the last update to the New York State List of Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species, six fish and wildlife species found in New York and not already on the New York State List have been become federally endangered or threatened. Incorporating these six species in this proposed update will allow this status change to be reflected in state regulations. Additionally, the Atlantic Coast Leopard Frog, a new species discovered to be present in New York and confined to only three counties, is also being added to the list in this update. Available status assessments are linked in the table below. 

¹ Currently listed as "endangered" by the U. S. Department of the Interior. 

² Currently listed as "threatened" by the U. S. Department of the Interior. 

³ Species is extirpated from New York State.

Definitions

Endangered - Any native species in imminent danger of extirpation or extinction in New York State. 

Threatened - Any native species likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future in New York State. 

Special Concern - Any native species for which a welfare concern or risk of endangerment has been documented in New York State. Species of special concern warrant attention and consideration but current information, collected by the department, does not justify listing these species as either endangered or threatened. 

Extinct - Species is no longer living or existing. 

Extirpated - Species is not extinct, but no longer occurring in a wild state within New York, or no longer exhibiting patterns of use traditional for that species in New York (e.g. historical breeders no longer breeding here).

Authority

Environmental Conservation Law of New York, Section 11-0535 and 6 NYCRR (New York Code of Rules and Regulations) Part 182 - effective (last promulgated in state regulation) December 4, 1999.