FWS Reopens Comment Period for Monarch Butterfly Endangered Species Act Listing

What: On March 19, 2025, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) reopened the comment period for 60 days on a proposed rule listing the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The original rule was proposed on December 12, 2024.

Why: Approximately 4,395 acres in Alameda, Marin, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Ventura Counties, California, are set aside by the proposal’s critical habitat designation.

FWS has certified that the proposed rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities and released an economic analysis of the critical habitat designation.

Action: Submit comments on the proposed rule are now due May 19, 2025.

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE(S):

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening Comment Periods for Three Proposed Rules; Announcement of a Public Hearing for One Proposed Rule

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status with Section 4(d) Rule for Monarch Butterfly and Designation of Critical Habitat

CONTACT: Nick Goldstein

EMAIL: nick.goldstein@sba.gov

TOPIC(S): Regulatory Alerts