The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is holding three public information webcasts to talk and answer questions about listing the Northern Long-Eared Bat as endangered. The sessions are each one hour long. The Forest Resources Association Inc. said it will participate in each session and report back with its findings.
The sessions, Aug. 19 at 1 p.m., Aug. 20 at 4 p.m. and Aug. 21 at 7 p.m., can be accessed at Mymeetings.com or by calling toll-free (800) 369-1692 and entering passcode 2549152#.
The forest industry has been concerned for some time about the issue. If the bat were to be listed, it would mean significant disruption to timber operations in 39 states, potentially banning logging in those states from March to October each year, critics have said.
In the last few months, "congressional delegations have sent over 10 letters to [Department of the] Interior authorities urging them to take a closer look at the science and to proceed with caution," the FRA said.
Fish & Wildlife decided in May to postpone any decision on listing the Northern Long-Eared Bat as endangered until April 2015.
