LANSING, Mich. — Cave-dwelling bat populations are rapidly declining due to a fungal disease known as white-nose syndrome.

Some species, like the northern long-eared bat, soon may be listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. In preparation for this listing, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is teaming up with the Minnesota and Wisconsin departments of Natural Resources to develop a large-scale habitat conservation plan.

If one or more bat species is listed as endangered, an incidental take permit would be required from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to continue forest management activities. A habitat conservation plan is required as part of an application for this permit.

The plan describes the potential positive and negative impacts of forest management on bats and biological objectives that will be implemented to offset negative forest management impacts on bats. A permit would ensure forest management activities in endangered bat habitat can continue, within the constraints of the habitat conservation plan. The overall goal of this project is the protection of endangered bat species and the continuation of forest management activities in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Draft chapters now available

Those interested are invited to read the available draft chapters and provide feedback via email to rabem@michigan.gov on or before Friday, Aug. 21. They will review all comments and will incorporate feedback and suggestions into the plan as appropriate.

More information on Michigan bats and threats to bats is available at Michigan.gov/Bats.