Best Management Practices Help Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle in Recent Listing
Update: On June 27, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a final rule designating the Suwannee alligator snapping turtle as threatened with a tailored 4(d) rule. The 4(d) rule removed the proposed exceptions for incidental take resulting from construction and maintenance near and in streams, and pesticide and herbicide use. However, the rule retained the exceptions for incidental take resulting from forest management activities implemented in accordance with state-approved BMPs. The final rule also reiterated the conservation benefits of forestry BMPs. This rule goes into effect July 29, 2024. Read the final rule here.
FLA hosted a Timber Talk in 2021 to showcase the conservation benefits of forestry BMPs to agency leadership and other stakeholders
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the Service) is proposing to list the Suwannee alligator snapping turtle, found in the Suwannee River basin of Georgia and Florida, as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act with a Section 4(d) rule to tailor “take” prohibitions. The proposed 4(d) rule provides exceptions to the prohibitions for forest management activities such as construction, maintenance, pesticide and herbicide use, and other silviculture practices that implement industry and/or state-approved best management practices (BMPs). FLA submitted comments on June 7 commending the Service for providing exceptions for BMPs within the proposed rule. By acknowledging the use of state-approved BMPs, the Service can implement a scientifically sound conservation plan for the Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle that not only protects the species but recognizes the good stewardship of private landowners and their working forests.
