4VAC15-20-130. Endangered and threatened species; adoption of federal list; additional species enumerated

A. The board hereby adopts the Federal Endangered and Threatened Species List, Endangered Species Act of December 28, 1973 (16 USC §§ 1531 through 1543), as amended as of October 10, 2024, and declares all species listed thereon to be endangered or threatened species in the Commonwealth. Pursuant to subdivision 12 of § 29.1-103 of the Code of Virginia, the director is hereby delegated authority to propose adoption of modifications and amendments to the Federal Endangered and Threatened Species List in accordance with the procedures of §§ 29.1-501 and 29.1-502 of the Code of Virginia.

B. In addition to the provisions of subsection A of this section, the following species are declared endangered or threatened in the Commonwealth and are afforded the protection provided by Article 6 (§ 29.1-563 et seq.) of Chapter 5 of Title 29.1 of the Code of Virginia:

1. Fish:

1. Fish:

Endangered:

Endangered:

Dace, Clinch Chrosomus sp. cf. saylori

Dace, Clinch

Chrosomus sp. cf. saylori

Dace, Tennessee Phoxinus tennesseensis

Dace, Tennessee

Phoxinus tennesseensis

Darter, sharphead Etheostoma acuticeps

Darter, sharphead

Etheostoma acuticeps

Darter, variegate Etheostoma variatum

Darter, variegate

Etheostoma variatum

Sunfish, blackbanded Enneacanthus chaetodon

Sunfish, blackbanded

Enneacanthus chaetodon

Threatened:

Threatened:

Darter, Carolina Etheostoma collis

Darter, Carolina

Etheostoma collis

Darter, golden Etheostoma denoncourti

Darter, golden

Etheostoma denoncourti

Darter, greenfin Etheostoma chlorobranchium

Darter, greenfin

Etheostoma chlorobranchium

Darter, western sand Ammocrypta clara

Darter, western sand

Ammocrypta clara

Madtom, orangefin Noturus gilberti

Madtom, orangefin

Noturus gilberti

Paddlefish Polyodon spathula

Paddlefish

Polyodon spathula

Shiner, emerald Notropis atherinoides

Shiner, emerald

Notropis atherinoides

Shiner, steelcolor Cyprinella whipplei

Shiner, steelcolor

Cyprinella whipplei

Shiner, whitemouth Notropis alborus

Shiner, whitemouth

Notropis alborus

2. Amphibians:

2

western sand

Ammocrypta clara

Madtom, orangefin Noturus gilberti

Madtom, orangefin

Noturus gilberti

Paddlefish Polyodon spathula

Paddlefish

Polyodon spathula

Shiner, emerald Notropis atherinoides

Shiner, emerald

Notropis atherinoides

Shiner, steelcolor Cyprinella whipplei

Shiner, steelcolor

Cyprinella whipplei

Shiner, whitemouth Notropis alborus

Shiner, whitemouth

Notropis alborus

2. Amphibians:

2. Amphibians:

Endangered:

Endangered:

Salamander, eastern tiger Ambystoma tigrinum

Salamander, eastern tiger

Ambystoma tigrinum

Threatened:

Threatened:

Salamander, Mabee's Ambystoma mabeei

Salamander, Mabee's

Ambystoma mabeei

3. Reptiles:

3. Reptiles:

Endangered:

Endangered:

Rattlesnake, canebrake (Coastal Plain population of timber rattlesnake) Crotalus horridus

Rattlesnake, canebrake (Coastal Plain population of timber rattlesnake)

Crotalus horridus

Turtle, bog Glyptemys muhlenbergii

Turtle, bog

Glyptemys muhlenbergii

Turtle, eastern chicken Deirochelys reticularia

Turtle, eastern chicken

Deirochelys reticularia

Threatened:

Threatened:

Lizard, eastern glass Ophisaurus ventralis

Lizard, eastern glass

Ophisaurus ventralis

Turtle, wood Glyptemys insculpta

Turtle, wood

Glyptemys insculpta

4. Birds:

4. Birds:

Endangered:

Endangered:

Plover, Wilson's Charadrius wilsonia

Plover, Wilson's

Charadrius wilsonia

Rail, black Laterallus jamaicensis

Rail, black

Laterallus jamaicensis

Woodpecker, red-cockaded Dryobates borealis

Woodpecker, red-cockaded

Dryobates borealis

Wren, Bewick's Thryomanes bewickii

Wren, Bewick's

Thryomanes bewickii

Threatened:

Threatened:

Falcon, peregrine Falco peregrinus

Falcon, peregrine

Falco peregrinus

Shrike, loggerhead Lanius ludovicianus

Shrike, loggerhead

Lanius ludovicianus

Sparrow, Bachman's Aimophila aestivalis

Sparrow, Bachman's

Aimophila aestivalis

Sparrow, Henslow's Ammodramus henslowii

Sparrow, Henslow's

Ammodramus henslowii

Tern, gull-billed Sterna nilotica

Tern, gull-billed

Sterna nilotica

5. Mammals:

5

hreatened:

Falcon, peregrine Falco peregrinus

Falcon, peregrine

Falco peregrinus

Shrike, loggerhead Lanius ludovicianus

Shrike, loggerhead

Lanius ludovicianus

Sparrow, Bachman's Aimophila aestivalis

Sparrow, Bachman's

Aimophila aestivalis

Sparrow, Henslow's Ammodramus henslowii

Sparrow, Henslow's

Ammodramus henslowii

Tern, gull-billed Sterna nilotica

Tern, gull-billed

Sterna nilotica

5. Mammals:

5. Mammals:

Endangered:

Endangered:

Bat, Rafinesque's eastern big-eared Corynorhinus rafinesquii macrotis

Bat, Rafinesque's eastern big-eared

Corynorhinus rafinesquii macrotis

Bat, little brown Myotis lucifugus

Bat, little brown

Myotis lucifugus

Bat, tri-colored Perimyotis subflavus

Bat, tri-colored

Perimyotis subflavus

Hare, snowshoe Lepus americanus

Hare, snowshoe

Lepus americanus

Shrew, American water Sorex palustris

Shrew, American water

Sorex palustris

Vole, rock Microtus chrotorrhinus

Vole, rock

Microtus chrotorrhinus

6. Mollusks:

6. Mollusks:

Endangered:

Endangered:

Coil, rubble Helicodiscus lirellus

Coil, rubble

Helicodiscus lirellus

Coil, shaggy Helicodiscus diadema

Coil, shaggy

Helicodiscus diadema

Deertoe Truncilla truncata

Deertoe

Truncilla truncata

Elephantear Elliptio crassidens

Elephantear

Elliptio crassidens

Elimia, spider Elimia arachnoidea

Elimia, spider

Elimia arachnoidea

Floater, brook Alasmidonta varicosa

Floater, brook

Alasmidonta varicosa

Ghostsnail, thankless Holsingeria unthanksensis

Ghostsnail, thankless

Holsingeria unthanksensis

Heelsplitter, Tennessee Lasmigona holstonia

Heelsplitter, Tennessee

Lasmigona holstonia

Lilliput, purple Toxolasma lividus

Lilliput, purple

Toxolasma lividus

Mussel, slippershell Alasmidonta viridis

Mussel, slippershell

Alasmidonta viridis

Pigtoe, Ohio Pleurobema cordatum

Pigtoe, Ohio

Pleurobema cordatum

Pigtoe, pyramid Pleurobema rubrum

Pigtoe, pyramid

Pleurobema rubrum

Springsnail, Appalachian Fontigens bottimeri

Springsnail, Appalachian

Fontigens bottimeri

Springsnail (no common name) Fontigens morrisoni

Springsnail (no common name)

Fontigens morrisoni

Supercoil, spir

l Alasmidonta viridis

Mussel, slippershell

Alasmidonta viridis

Pigtoe, Ohio Pleurobema cordatum

Pigtoe, Ohio

Pleurobema cordatum

Pigtoe, pyramid Pleurobema rubrum

Pigtoe, pyramid

Pleurobema rubrum

Springsnail, Appalachian Fontigens bottimeri

Springsnail, Appalachian

Fontigens bottimeri

Springsnail (no common name) Fontigens morrisoni

Springsnail (no common name)

Fontigens morrisoni

Supercoil, spirit Paravitrea hera

Supercoil, spirit

Paravitrea hera

Threatened:

Threatened:

Floater, green Lasmigona subviridis

Floater, green

Lasmigona subviridis

Papershell, fragile Leptodea fragilis

Papershell, fragile

Leptodea fragilis

Pimpleback Quadrula pustulosa

Pimpleback

Quadrula pustulosa

Pistolgrip Tritogonia verrucosa

Pistolgrip

Tritogonia verrucosa

Riversnail, spiny Iofluvialis

Riversnail, spiny

Iofluvialis

Sandshell, black Ligumia recta

Sandshell, black

Ligumia recta

Supercoil, brown Paravitrea septadens

Supercoil, brown

Paravitrea septadens

7. Arthropods:

7. Arthropods:

Threatened:

Threatened:

Amphipod, Madison Cave Stygobromus stegerorum

Amphipod, Madison Cave

Stygobromus stegerorum

Pseudotremia, Ellett Valley Pseudotremia cavernarum

Pseudotremia, Ellett Valley

Pseudotremia cavernarum

Xystodesmid, Laurel Creek Sigmoria whiteheadi

Xystodesmid, Laurel Creek

Sigmoria whiteheadi

C. It shall be unlawful to take, transport, process, sell, or offer for sale within the Commonwealth any threatened or endangered species of fish or wildlife except as authorized by law.

D. The incidental take of certain species may occur in certain circumstances and with the implementation of certain conservation practices as described in this subsection:

Species Location Allowable Circumstances Required Conservation Measures Expected Incidental Take

Species

Location

Allowable Circumstances

Required Conservation Measures

Expected Incidental Take

Little brown bat, Tri-colored bat Statewide Human health risk – need for removal of individual animals from human-habited structures

tation of certain conservation practices as described in this subsection:

Species Location Allowable Circumstances Required Conservation Measures Expected Incidental Take

Species

Location

Allowable Circumstances

Required Conservation Measures

Expected Incidental Take

Little brown bat, Tri-colored bat Statewide Human health risk – need for removal of individual animals from human-habited structures. Between May 15 and August 31, no exclusion of bats from maternity colonies, except for human health concerns. Department-permitted nuisance wildlife control operator with department-recognized certification in techniques associated with removal of bats. Use of exclusion devices that allow individual animals to escape. Manual collection of individual animals incapable of sustaining themselves; transport to a willing and appropriately permitted wildlife rehabilitator. Little to no direct lethal taking expected.

Little brown bat,

Tri-colored bat

Statewide

Human health risk – need for removal of individual animals from human-habited structures.

Between May 15 and August 31, no exclusion of bats from maternity colonies, except for human health concerns.

Department-permitted nuisance wildlife control operator with department-recognized certification in techniques associated with removal of bats.

Use of exclusion devices that allow individual animals to escape.

Manual collection of individual animals incapable of sustaining themselves; transport to a willing and appropriately permitted wildlife rehabilitator.

Little to no direct lethal taking expected.

Public safety or property damage risk – need for tree removal, application of prescribed fire, or other land management actions affecting known roosts; removal of animals from known roosts. Hibernacula: no tree removal, use of prescribed fire, or other land management action within a 250-foot radius buffer area from December 1 through April 30

bilitator.

Little to no direct lethal taking expected.

Public safety or property damage risk – need for tree removal, application of prescribed fire, or other land management actions affecting known roosts; removal of animals from known roosts. Hibernacula: no tree removal, use of prescribed fire, or other land management action within a 250-foot radius buffer area from December 1 through April 30. Between September 1 and November 30, increase the buffer to a 1/4-mile radius with the following conditions: for timber harvests greater than 20 acres, retain snags and wolf trees (if not presenting public safety or property risk) and small tree groups up to 15 trees of 3-inch diameter at breast height (dbh) or greater, one tree group per 20 acres. Otherwise, document the need (public safety, property damage risk) for tree removal during this period and verify that no known roost trees exist in the buffer area. Tree removal and prescribed fire are permitted outside of these dates. Known roost trees: no tree removal, use of prescribed fire, or other land management action within a 150-foot radius buffer area from June 1 through July 31, if possible. Otherwise, document public safety or property damage risk. Department-permitted nuisance wildlife control operator with department-recognized certification in techniques associated with removal of bats. Use of exclusion devices that allow individual animals to escape. Manual collection of individual animals incapable of sustaining themselves; transport to a willing and appropriately permitted wildlife rehabilitator. Little to no direct lethal taking expected.

Public safety or property damage risk – need for tree removal, application of prescribed fire, or other land management actions affecting known roosts; removal of animals from known roosts.

Hibernacula: no tree removal, use of prescribed fire, or other land management action within a 250-foot radius buffer area from December 1 through April 30

bilitator. Little to no direct lethal taking expected.

Public safety or property damage risk – need for tree removal, application of prescribed fire, or other land management actions affecting known roosts; removal of animals from known roosts.

Hibernacula: no tree removal, use of prescribed fire, or other land management action within a 250-foot radius buffer area from December 1 through April 30. Between September 1 and November 30, increase the buffer to a 1/4-mile radius with the following conditions: for timber harvests greater than 20 acres, retain snags and wolf trees (if not presenting public safety or property risk) and small tree groups up to 15 trees of 3-inch diameter at breast height (dbh) or greater, one tree group per 20 acres. Otherwise, document the need (public safety, property damage risk) for tree removal during this period and verify that no known roost trees exist in the buffer area. Tree removal and prescribed fire are permitted outside of these dates.

Known roost trees: no tree removal, use of prescribed fire, or other land management action within a 150-foot radius buffer area from June 1 through July 31, if possible. Otherwise, document public safety or property damage risk.

Department-permitted nuisance wildlife control operator with department-recognized certification in techniques associated with removal of bats.

Use of exclusion devices that allow individual animals to escape.

Manual collection of individual animals incapable of sustaining themselves; transport to a willing and appropriately permitted wildlife rehabilitator.

Little to no direct lethal taking expected.

E. Experimental populations of certain species are described in the table in this subsection, consistent with the identification of these species in state conservation plans. These populations are geographically distinct from naturally occurring populations and are not subject to the penalties and prohibitions authorized under § 29.1-568 of the Code of Virginia

to no direct lethal taking expected.

E. Experimental populations of certain species are described in the table in this subsection, consistent with the identification of these species in state conservation plans. These populations are geographically distinct from naturally occurring populations and are not subject to the penalties and prohibitions authorized under § 29.1-568 of the Code of Virginia.

Species Designated Location of Experimental Population County or City Take Exemptions

Species

Designated Location of Experimental Population

County or City

Take Exemptions

Eastern tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) Lands located within the 2025 boundaries of the department's Big Woods Wildlife Management Area and The Nature Conservancy's Piney Grove Preserve Sussex County Take is authorized unless otherwise prohibited by other Virginia laws or regulations

Eastern tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum)

Lands located within the 2025 boundaries of the department's Big Woods Wildlife Management Area and The Nature Conservancy's Piney Grove Preserve

Sussex County

Take is authorized unless otherwise prohibited by other Virginia laws or regulations