MAINE AUDUBON • October 7, 2022
The Maine Endangered Species Act, or MESA, has been instrumental in protecting imperiled species in Maine since 1975. The Act is implemented by the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIFW), and currently provides special protection to 26 endangered and 25 threatened birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Species may be added to or removed from the list, or have their designation changed, after action from DIFW and the legislature. In late September 2022, DIFW released a notice that they were proposing significant changes to the MESA species list, including the removal of two species from the list and the addition of eight species. The Department will hold a public hearing on their proposal on Oct. 11, and is taking public comment through October 21. Updates to the list go before the legislature, likely in early 2023. Here is an update on what species are proposed to come off the list, and which ones may be coming on.