Feds Opt Not to List 3 Species in Idaho, Surrounding States

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Authorities say three species found in Idaho and neighboring states don't require federal protections under the Endangered Species Act.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in an announcement Wednesday says the southern Idaho ground squirrel, Great Basin population of the Columbia spotted frog and a plant called the Goose Creek milkvetch no longer merit candidate status for listing. The ground squirrel is native to four counties in southern Idaho and officials say populations appear stable.

The spotted frog is found in southwestern Idaho, southeastern Oregon and Nevada. Efforts to help the frogs included creating pods where the frogs have taken up residence. The Goose Creek milkvetch is found mostly on federal lands in Idaho, Nevada and Utah. Authorities say voluntary efforts have protected 93 percent of its known habitat.