The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed delisting the northeastern bulrush from the federal endangered species list, celebrating the recovery of this perennial wetland plant. The public can comment on the delisting proposal for 60 days.
When the northeastern bulrush was listed as endangered in 1991, there were only 13 known populations across seven states. Today, that number has surged to 148 populations in eight states, including West Virginia, marking an increase of more than 11 times.
“Our important partnerships with state agencies, conservation organizations and academic researchers have helped us better understand and conserve northeastern bulrush through long-term population monitoring, habitat conservation and increased surveys in prime habitat areas,” said Wendi Weber, Northeast Regional Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Efforts to monitor this species have taken place in all states within its known range, recognizing that the plant may not appear in the same location every year. In adverse environmental conditions, the northeastern bulrush may remain dormant, re-emerging only when conditions improve. Since 2010, five states — including West Virginia — have benefited from federal endangered species grants to support survey initiatives.
Targeted recovery efforts continue, focusing on invasive species control in wetland habitats and land protection. For instance, the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife has utilized federal Recovery Land Acquisition Grants to acquire properties for the northeastern bulrush’s conservation.
Long-term monitoring programs, like one initiated by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy in 2012, have helped document how known populations respond to changing environmental conditions. Such data has informed both the delisting proposal and a post-delisting monitoring plan.
Partnerships have driven successful initiatives, such as a 2014 program by the Wetland Trust and the Upper Susquehanna Coalition to propagate and transplant northeastern bulrush, which established a new population in New York state. Broad environmental protections have also played a vital role. The federal Clean Water Act and state wetland protection laws have led to healthier habitats by reducing runoff, pollution, and development encroachment in the beaver marshes and ephemeral wetlands where the plant thrives.
Should the northeastern bulrush be formally delisted, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in coordination with state partners, will develop a plan to monitor its status for at least five years to ensure ongoing conservation needs are addressed.
The proposed rule will be available in the Federal Register for public comment, with comments accepted until September 30, 2024. The Endangered Species Act has been credited with saving 99% of listed species from extinction, and over 100 species have been delisted following significant recovery efforts. These advances are a testament to the collaborative actions of Tribes, federal agencies, state and local governments, conservation organizations, and private citizens【source】.
