The Army Priority List of At-Risk Species: 2009-2010 Status Update

The US Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires the US Army to safeguard Federally listed Threatened and Endangered Species (TES).When a species occurring on Army training lands becomes Federally listed as "threatened or endangered" under the ESA, measures to protect that species may conflict with Army activities on those lands critical to National defense (training, weapons testing, etc.).The Army's List of Priority Species at Risk (LPSAR) identifies 65 species that would cause significant mission conflict were they to be listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA.This work investigated the five listing factors identified in ESA Section 4(a)(1) for the species listed on the LPSAR, and reviewed recent US Fish and Wildlife Service findings on the current status of these species, ongoing listing proposals, and other actions that might affect their status.While no species on the LPSAR were moved to listing, newly published 90-day findings have moved three species closer to formal TES status.Results of this work should help target proactive actions, such as participation in conservation agreements to prevent the listing of a Species at Risk (SAR) and to create partnerships with non-Federal agencies through SAR management to take appropriate action.