Overview
Title
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Technical Corrections for 62 Wildlife and Plant Species on the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Hawaiian Hoary Bat; Correction
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government made a mistake with the name of a special bat from Hawaii on a list of animals that need help. They thought they needed to change the bat's name, but after hearing from people, they decided to keep it the same.
Summary AI
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is correcting an error concerning the Hawaiian hoary bat on the endangered species list. Initially, there was a plan to update the bat's scientific name and add a common name, but this was withdrawn after receiving comments. The Service mistakenly thought these changes hadn't been properly documented and asked for a correction. Now, they are fixing this issue by reverting to the bat's original scientific name without the proposed common name.
Abstract
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are publishing this document to correct an error in the listing of the Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus).
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
General Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has addressed a procedural error relating to the Hawaiian hoary bat on the endangered species list. Initially, there was an attempt to update the bat's scientific designation from Lasiurus cinereus semotus to Aeorestes semotus and introduce a common name, 'ōpeapea'. However, following public feedback, the proposed changes were retracted. A subsequent internal review mistakenly identified these modifications as improperly documented, prompting the Service to issue a correction to revert the bat's classification to its original scientific name, excluding the common name update. This document outlines that correction, finalizing the decision by restoring the status quo.
Significant Issues or Concerns
This document highlights several potential issues. There appears to have been confusion or oversight in the regulatory process regarding the bat's classification changes, indicating a possible lapse in attention to detail. Moreover, the rationale behind the initial decision to alter the scientific and common names is not clearly explained, creating some ambiguity. The document also lacks transparency on the nature of the public comments and scientific research that led to the reconsideration of the name change, leaving readers with unanswered questions about the decision-making process. Additionally, the complexity of the correction process may present challenges to understanding for individuals unfamiliar with regulatory procedures.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, this document primarily represents an administrative clarification rather than suggesting any direct impacts on daily life. However, understanding and trust in government processes may be affected by perceptions of procedural diligence and scientific thoroughness. Clear and transparent communication from government agencies is vital to ensuring public confidence.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For conservationists and environmental organizations, the correct listing of species, such as the Hawaiian hoary bat, is essential for setting priorities and allocating resources in conservation efforts. This correction helps ensure that records are accurate, which is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies. Yet, the lack of clarity around the initial scientific name change and subsequent reversion might raise concerns about the thoroughness of the regulatory process.
For scientists and researchers focusing on wildlife taxonomy or those involved in relevant studies, this action reinforces the importance of accurate scientific classification. This incidence underscores the necessity for thorough peer-review and consultation with experts before implementing official changes.
Overall, the Service’s commitment to correcting errors is positive, demonstrating responsiveness to both internal scrutiny and external feedback. Nonetheless, greater transparency in the processes leading to such decisions would be beneficial in maintaining public trust and engagement.
Issues
• The document indicates that there was an error regarding the listing of the Hawaiian hoary bat in the Code of Federal Regulations, which suggests a lack of attention to detail in regulatory processes.
• The document lacks a clear explanation of why the initial decision to change the scientific and common names of the Hawaiian hoary bat was made, leading to ambiguity.
• There is no information provided on the potential implications of the name correction, such as impacts on conservation efforts or regulatory processes.
• The document mentions a public comment period that influenced a rule change, but it does not elaborate on the nature of the comments or the scientific research that prompted reconsideration, leaving a gap in transparency.
• The explanation regarding the codification error and its correction process might be complex for non-specialist readers, potentially hindering understanding of regulatory procedures.