10-Year State Wildlife Action Plan on Public Comment

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has identified more than 600 animals and 400 plant species as having the greatest conservation need in the proposed 2015 State Wildlife Action Plan.

The Register-Herald reports the proposed 10-year plan is now out for public comment through July 15 and can be found online.

Wildlife Resources Section chief Paul Johansen says the plan is a roadmap that will guide the agency and partners in making future habitat conversation recommendations in the state.

Federal regulations require all state wildlife agencies to develop a plan that identifies wildlife species of greatest conservation need and recommends management strategies for these species.

Some goals of the plan include preventing the decline of at-risk species and recovering threatened or endangered species currently on federal listings.