On November 29, 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a final rule in the Federal Register to reclassify the northern long-eared bat (NLEB) from threatened to endangered and nullify the 4(d) rule. On September 13, 2022, the Service announced a proposal to list the tricolored bat (TCB) as endangered. In spring 2023, when the uplisting rule for NLEB became effective, the Service released interim NLEB guidance and tools to help interested parties transition to the NLEB reclassification. The interim wind guidance, interim habitat modification guidance and interim section 7 consultation framework were scheduled to be in place until April 1, 2024.

We are extending the interim NLEB tools and guidance for your use until final tools are issued this summer. Our goal is to avoid confusion and disruption for federal, state and tribal partners, project proponents, landowners and other interested parties within the northern long-eared bat’s 37-state range.

For ongoing projects previously reviewed using the interim NLEB tools, no action is needed, except for federal action agencies issued a biological opinion under the Interim Consultation Framework (ICF). We will send additional guidance directly to federal agencies issued biological opinions under the ICF.

Our agency is currently developing new tools and guidance for both NLEB and TCB. In the event that the TCB is listed, these tools would be applicable to both species. On or around April 1, 2024, the Service intends to share a draft of the new tools and guidance documents for interested parties to preview. The preview period will give interested parties time to familiarize themselves with any changes and provide an opportunity to ask questions or provide feedback before the final tools and guidance go into effect later this summer in 2024. We will contact interested parties again when the draft new tools and guidance are ready for preview. Once final tools are issued later this summer, federal projects with ongoing effects to either species may need to be re-evaluated.

The Service continues to be deeply committed to working with interested parties in developing a balanced approach that addresses white-nose syndrome, streamlines environmental reviews, and advances conservation and recovery of NLEB and TCB populations.