Endangered Species Law & Policy

On January 20, 2025, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Service) will publish a positive 90-day finding on a 2016 petition (Petition) to delist the golden-cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia) (GCWA). The decision comes on the heels of the agency’s recent recommendation to downlist the GCWA from endangered to threatened. Pursuant to Endangered Species Act section 4 and relevant implementing regulations, the Service will receive information from the public to inform a more detailed status review, and will publish a 12-month finding in which the agency will make a final ...

On January 7, 2025, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Service) announced that, following the completion of the Service’s 5-year status review (5-year Review) of the golden-cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysopharia) (GCWA), the agency is recommending the species be downlisted from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The species will remain listed as endangered unless and until the species is formally downlisted under the ESA pursuant to the necessary rulemaking process.

Citing better understanding of the GCWA and its habitat needs, along with ...