Abstract:
This dataset contains the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) approximate range of the Panama City Crayfish (Procambarus econfinae) for Bay County, Florida. Delineated by Ed Kempner, this version avoids the near shore and bay areas that are near saltwater. In 2014, the boundary near the old airport was expanded to include some survey points that had species occurrence. The small area increased the range by ~23 acres. In 2017, the boundary was again modified to include an area near Deer Point Elementary School (or LH conservation park area) where a positive survey was done and the FWC model shows good potential habitat. The boundary was also modified to include an area south of Hwy 231 (near Pipeline Rd) and an eastern portion (near Star Ave) to include all the Gulf Power easement . These 3 modifications added ~308 acres to the range.
Purpose:
This shapefile shows the approximate range of the Panama City crayfish.
This approximate range was created to assist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission's activities related to the Panama City crayfish Biological
Review Panel and the Panama City crayfish Management Plan. This data was also
created to assist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service's Candidate Conservation
Agreement for the crayfish.
Supplemental_Information:
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status for the Panama City Crayfish
A Proposed Rule by the Fish and Wildlife Service on 01/03/2018
Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/01/03/2017-28313/
endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-threatened-species-status-for-the-panama-city-crayfish
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Panama City Crayfish Proposed Listing Under the Endangered Species Act
January 3, 2018
What is the Panama City crayfish?
The Panama City crayfish is a small, semi-terrestrial crayfish that grows to about two
inches in length, minus claws, and is found only in Bay County, Florida. The life
history of the Panama City crayfish is not well known. However, many crayfish
species have a maximum lifespan of 1.5 to 3.5 years.
Why is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposing to list the Panama City crayfish
as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)?
The Service s finding is based primarily on a species status assessment (SSA)
prepared for the Panama City crayfish. The Service determined the greatest threats
to the crayfish are habitat loss and degradation, habitat fragmentation, and isolation
of subpopulations due to commercial and residential development. The current
conditions, as assessed in the SSA, show only 43 to 54 percent of the original lands
historically available to the Panama City crayfish remain potentially available for use
by the crayfish.
The SSA team was composed of Service biologists who consulted with other
species experts. The SSA represents a compilation of the best scientific and
commercial data available concerning the status of the species, including the
impacts of negative and beneficial factors affecting the species. The SSA
underwent independent peer review by scientists with expertise in crayfish biology,
habitat management, and factors negatively affecting the species. Maps depicting
the historical range and current populations are included in the SSA for reference.
The SSA report and other materials relating to this proposal can be found on the
Service s Southeast Region website and at regulations.gov under Docket No.
FWS R4 ES 2017 0061.
What would listing mean for this species?
Conservation benefits authorized for threatened and endangered plants and
animals that are listed under the ESA are:
* Protection from being jeopardized by federal activities; restrictions on take and trade.
* A requirement that the Service develop and implement recovery plans for this species.
* Authorization to seek land purchases or exchanges for important habitat.
* Authorization to issue recovery funds when available to state and
non-governmental organizations with cooperative endangered species agreements.
Listing also lends greater recognition to a species precarious status, encourages
conservation efforts by other agencies (foreign, federal, state, and local),
independent organizations, and concerned individuals.
Were there any previous federal actions regarding this species?
The Panama City crayfish was included in an April 20, 2010, petition from Center for
Biological Diversity and others to list 404 species in the southeastern United States
with critical habitat. In response to the petition, the Service completed a partial
90-day finding on September 27, 2011 (76 FR 59836), in which it announced a
finding that the petition contained substantial information that listing may be
warranted for the species. The Service then conducted a status review, and this
proposed listing rule also constitutes our 12-month petition finding for the species.
What types of criteria will the Service consider in making the final decision on listing this species?
A species is added to the list when it is determined to be threatened or endangered
because of any of the following factors:
* The present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range;
* Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes;
* Disease or predation;
* The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or
Other natural or manmade factors affecting its survival.
How long will it take the Service to make the final decision on this proposal?
The Service intends to make a decision within a year of the proposed rule
publication date. The determination will largely be driven by the number and types
of comments the agency receives during the public comment period.
Will there be a critical habitat designation for the Panama City crayfish?
The Service plans to propose critical habitat for the Panama City crayfish within
one year of the proposed listing rule.
Source: https://www.fws.gov/southeast/faq/panama-city-crayfish-proposed-listing-under-the-endangered-species-act/