{"id":37555,"date":"2025-01-27T11:51:11","date_gmt":"2025-01-27T16:51:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/?p=37555"},"modified":"2025-01-30T16:29:26","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T21:29:26","slug":"action-today-u-s-fish-and-wildlife-service-proposes-critical-habitat-for-endangered-rusty-patched-bumble-bee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2025\/01\/action-today-u-s-fish-and-wildlife-service-proposes-critical-habitat-for-endangered-rusty-patched-bumble-bee\/","title":{"rendered":"Action Today: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Critical Habitat for Endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

(Beyond Pesticides, January 27, 2025) A public comment period ends today, January 27, 2025, on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS)\u00a0proposed critical habitat rule<\/a>\u00a0to protect the rusty patched bumble bee under the Endangered Species Act<\/em> (ESA). This proposal is responsive to the agency’s\u00a02024 stipulated settlement agreement<\/a>\u00a0resulting from years of advocacy and government review and a 2023 court order (NRDC\u00a0et al.<\/em>\u00a0v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,\u00a0et al.<\/em><\/a>). The proposal follows a\u00a02017 determination<\/a>\u00a0by the agency that lists the bumble bee as an endangered species. (See previous Daily News\u00a0here<\/a>,\u00a0here<\/a>,\u00a0here<\/a>, here<\/a>, and here<\/a>.)<\/p>\r\n

>> Tell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to fully protect the endangered rusty patched bumble bee by finalizing its proposed critical habitat rule with strengthening provisions.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n

The FWS proposal grows out of a species status assessment (SSA) conducted by \u201c15 scientists with expertise in bumble bee biology, habitat management, and stressors (factors negatively affecting the species).\u201d University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign insect ecologist Jason Robinson, PhD concludes in his paper, \u201cProject-specific bumble bee habitat quality assessment<\/a>,\u201d \u201cAs the first social insect listed under the ESA, the listing of RPBB has required new methods for biological assessment. This species has a complex life cycle requiring a mosaic of different habitat types, with each life cycle stage facing unique challenges and threats.\u201d This is why a critical habitat designation is especially important and timely after seven years since the listing.<\/p>\r\n

When FWS issued its\u00a0listing announcement in 2017<\/a>, it said, \u201cCauses of the decline in rusty patched bumble bee populations are believed to be loss of habitat; disease and parasites; use of pesticides that directly or indirectly kill the bees; climate change, which can affect the availability of the flowers they depend on; and extremely small population size. Most likely, a combination of these factors has caused the decline in rusty patched bumble bees.” There is\u00a0substantial research<\/a>\u00a0demonstrating that neonicotinoid insecticides, working either individually or synergistically,\u00a0play a critical role<\/a>\u00a0in the ongoing decline of bees and other pollinators due to\u00a0mounting evidence of toxicity<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

When FWS announced the endangered species classification for the rusty patched bumble bee, it wrote: \u201cBefore it was declared endangered in 2017, the rusty patched bumble bee experienced a widespread and steep decline, with populations plummeting by about 87 percent in the past two decades. . . The cause of the species’ drastic decline is unknown, but evidence suggests a harmful interaction between a disease-causing pathogen and exposure to pesticides. Other threats to the insect include habitat loss and degradation, competition and disease introduction from managed and non-native bees, small population genetics, and climate change. The rusty patched bumble bee lives in colonies, which are formed by solitary queens emerging from overwintering sites. The species needs nectar and pollen-producing flowers for food, undisturbed nesting habitat near food sources, and suitable overwintering areas to survive. The final recovery plan for the rusty patched bumble bee includes actions such as land management to improve floral resources and measures to reduce exposure to pesticides and disease-causing pathogens. Raising awareness about the species and engaging private citizens and groups are also key to recovery.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

In this context, given the scientific findings, FWS must make sure that its designation of critical habitat takes into account all areas that are necessary to the species’ restoration, including agricultural areas and unoccupied spaces.<\/p>\r\n

>> Tell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to fully protect the endangered rusty patched bumble bee by finalizing its proposed critical habitat rule with strengthening provisions<\/a><\/strong>.<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n

The target\u00a0for this Action is\u00a0the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, via comments through\u00a0Regulations.gov<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\r\n

Comment to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
\r\n<\/strong>I am writing in support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife\u2019s proposed critical habitat rule to protect the rusty patched bumble bee under the Endangered Species Act. This proposal is responsive to the agency\u2019s 2024 stipulated settlement agreement<\/a> resulting from years of review and a 2023 court order (NRDC et al<\/em>. v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service<\/a>, et al<\/em>.). The proposal follows a 2017 determination<\/a> by the agency that lists the bumble bee as an endangered species.<\/p>\r\n

The proposal\u00a0 grows out of a species status assessment (SSA) conducted by \u201c15 scientists with expertise in bumble bee biology, habitat management, and stressors (factors negatively affecting the species).\u201d As stated in his paper, \u201cProject-specific bumble bee habitat quality assessment,\u201d Jason Robinson, PhD concludes, \u201cAs the first social insect listed under the ESA, the listing of RPBB has required new methods for biological assessment. This species has a complex life cycle requiring a mosaic of different habitat types, with each life cycle stage facing unique challenges and threats.\u201d This is why a critical habitat designation is especially important and timely after seven years since the listing. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n

When FWS made its listing announcement in 2017, it said, \u201cFWS said in its\u00a0news release<\/strong><\/a>, \u201cCauses of the decline in rusty patched bumble bee populations are believed to be loss of habitat; disease and parasites; use of pesticides that directly or indirectly kill the bees; climate change, which can affect the availability of the flowers they depend on; and extremely small population size. Most likely, a combination of these factors has caused the decline in rusty patched bumble bees.\u201d\u00a0There is\u00a0substantial research<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0demonstrating that neonicotinoid insecticides, working either individually or synergistically,\u00a0play a critical role<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0in the ongoing decline of bees and other pollinators.<\/p>\r\n

When FWS announced the endangered species classification for the rusty patched bumble bee, it wrote: \u201cBefore it was declared endangered in 2017, the rusty patched\u00a0bumble bee\u00a0experienced a widespread and\u00a0steep\u00a0decline, with\u00a0populations plummeting by about\u00a087 percent in the past two decades. . .\u00a0The cause of the species\u2019 drastic decline is unknown, but evidence suggests a harmful\u00a0interaction\u00a0between a disease-causing pathogen and exposure to pesticides. Other threats to\u00a0the\u00a0insect include habitat loss and degradation, competition and disease introduction from\u00a0managed\u00a0and non-native\u00a0bees,\u00a0small population\u00a0genetics,\u00a0and\u00a0climate change. The rusty patched\u00a0bumble bee\u00a0lives in colonies, which are formed by solitary queens\u00a0emerging\u00a0from overwintering sites. The species needs nectar\u00a0and pollen-producing flowers for\u00a0food,\u00a0undisturbed\u00a0nesting habitat near food sources, and suitable overwintering\u00a0areas\u00a0to survive.\u00a0The final recovery plan for the rusty patched\u00a0bumble bee\u00a0includes\u00a0actions such as land management to improve\u00a0floral resources\u00a0and measures to reduce exposure to pesticides and disease-causing pathogens. Raising awareness about the species\u00a0and engaging private citizens and groups are also\u00a0key\u00a0to recovery.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

In this context, given the scientific findings, FWS must make sure that its designation of critical habitat takes into account all areas that are necessary to the species restoration, including agricultural areas and unoccupied spaces.<\/p>\r\n

Thank you.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Beyond Pesticides, January 27, 2025) A public comment period ends today, January 27, 2025, on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS)\u00a0proposed critical habitat rule\u00a0to protect the rusty patched bumble bee under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This proposal is responsive to the agency’s\u00a02024 stipulated settlement agreement\u00a0resulting from years of advocacy and government review and a 2023 court order (NRDC\u00a0et al.\u00a0v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,\u00a0et al.). The proposal follows a\u00a02017 determination\u00a0by the agency that lists the bumble bee as an endangered species. (See previous Daily News\u00a0here,\u00a0here,\u00a0here, here, and here.) >> Tell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to fully protect the endangered rusty patched bumble bee by finalizing its proposed critical habitat rule with strengthening provisions. The FWS proposal grows out of a species status assessment (SSA) conducted by \u201c15 scientists with expertise in bumble bee biology, habitat management, and stressors (factors negatively affecting the species).\u201d University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign insect ecologist Jason Robinson, PhD concludes in his paper, \u201cProject-specific bumble bee habitat quality assessment,\u201d \u201cAs the first social insect listed under the ESA, the listing of RPBB has required new methods for biological assessment. This species has a complex life cycle requiring a mosaic of different habitat types, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":37591,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[249,352,565,354,364,93,1,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37555","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-agriculture","category-biodiversity","category-ecosystem-services","category-environmental-protection-agency-epa","category-fish-and-wildlife-service-fws","category-pollinators","category-uncategorized","category-wildlifeenvironment"],"yoast_head":"\nAction Today: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Critical Habitat for Endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee - Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2025\/01\/action-today-u-s-fish-and-wildlife-service-proposes-critical-habitat-for-endangered-rusty-patched-bumble-bee\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Action Today: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Critical Habitat for Endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee - Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"(Beyond Pesticides, January 27, 2025) A public comment period ends today, January 27, 2025, on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS)\u00a0proposed critical habitat rule\u00a0to protect the rusty patched bumble bee under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This proposal is responsive to the agency’s\u00a02024 stipulated settlement agreement\u00a0resulting from years of advocacy and government review and a 2023 court order (NRDC\u00a0et al.\u00a0v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,\u00a0et al.). The proposal follows a\u00a02017 determination\u00a0by the agency that lists the bumble bee as an endangered species. (See previous Daily News\u00a0here,\u00a0here,\u00a0here, here, and here.) >> Tell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to fully protect the endangered rusty patched bumble bee by finalizing its proposed critical habitat rule with strengthening provisions. 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This proposal is responsive to the agency’s\u00a02024 stipulated settlement agreement\u00a0resulting from years of advocacy and government review and a 2023 court order (NRDC\u00a0et al.\u00a0v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,\u00a0et al.). The proposal follows a\u00a02017 determination\u00a0by the agency that lists the bumble bee as an endangered species. (See previous Daily News\u00a0here,\u00a0here,\u00a0here, here, and here.) >> Tell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to fully protect the endangered rusty patched bumble bee by finalizing its proposed critical habitat rule with strengthening provisions. The FWS proposal grows out of a species status assessment (SSA) conducted by \u201c15 scientists with expertise in bumble bee biology, habitat management, and stressors (factors negatively affecting the species).\u201d University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign insect ecologist Jason Robinson, PhD concludes in his paper, \u201cProject-specific bumble bee habitat quality assessment,\u201d \u201cAs the first social insect listed under the ESA, the listing of RPBB has required new methods for biological assessment. This species has a complex life cycle requiring a mosaic of different habitat types, […]","og_url":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2025\/01\/action-today-u-s-fish-and-wildlife-service-proposes-critical-habitat-for-endangered-rusty-patched-bumble-bee\/","og_site_name":"Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/beyondpesticides","article_author":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/beyondpesticides\/","article_published_time":"2025-01-27T16:51:11+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-01-30T21:29:26+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/rustypatchedbumblebee.01302025.3.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Beyond Pesticides","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@ByondPesticides","twitter_site":"@ByondPesticides","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Beyond Pesticides","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2025\/01\/action-today-u-s-fish-and-wildlife-service-proposes-critical-habitat-for-endangered-rusty-patched-bumble-bee\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2025\/01\/action-today-u-s-fish-and-wildlife-service-proposes-critical-habitat-for-endangered-rusty-patched-bumble-bee\/"},"author":{"name":"Beyond Pesticides","@id":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/#\/schema\/person\/1b5c0a0981b549cc5b628770073031f4"},"headline":"Action Today: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Critical Habitat for Endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee","datePublished":"2025-01-27T16:51:11+00:00","dateModified":"2025-01-30T21:29:26+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2025\/01\/action-today-u-s-fish-and-wildlife-service-proposes-critical-habitat-for-endangered-rusty-patched-bumble-bee\/"},"wordCount":1127,"commentCount":4,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2025\/01\/action-today-u-s-fish-and-wildlife-service-proposes-critical-habitat-for-endangered-rusty-patched-bumble-bee\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/rustypatchedbumblebee.01302025.3.jpg","articleSection":{"0":"Agriculture","1":"Biodiversity","2":"Ecosystem Services","3":"Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)","4":"Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)","5":"Pollinators","7":"Wildlife\/Endangered Sp."},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2025\/01\/action-today-u-s-fish-and-wildlife-service-proposes-critical-habitat-for-endangered-rusty-patched-bumble-bee\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2025\/01\/action-today-u-s-fish-and-wildlife-service-proposes-critical-habitat-for-endangered-rusty-patched-bumble-bee\/","url":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2025\/01\/action-today-u-s-fish-and-wildlife-service-proposes-critical-habitat-for-endangered-rusty-patched-bumble-bee\/","name":"Action Today: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Critical Habitat for Endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee - 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