The Fish and Wildlife Service proposed designating 1.6 million acres as critical habitat Monday for the endangered rusty patched bumblebee, in a remarkable reversal from the agency’s prior determination.
More course adjustments could come, as the proposal covering 33 counties in six mostly Midwestern states will soon be in the hands of the second Trump administration. During Team Trump’s first go-around, the FWS in 2020 declared it would be imprudent to designate any critical habitat for the bee.
“The rusty patched bumblebee has already vanished from nearly 90 percent of its historical range, and we can not afford further delays in protecting high-quality habitat that can save the bee from extinction,” said Lucas Rhoads, senior attorney for pollinators and pesticides at the Natural Resources Defense Council.
In an interview, Rhoads noted that “it’s possible that they could withdraw this and issue a new proposed rulemaking” when the new Trump team takes office.
