Purpose


The purpose of this rulemaking is for the Commission to consider the amendment of two rules within Chapter 68A-27, Rules Relating to Endangered or Threatened Species, to update the status of the Panama City crayfish (Procambarus econfinae) and to update the taxonomy of four species. Rule 68A-27.003 would be amended to add the Panama City crayfish as a Federally-designated Threatened species under the Federal Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. §1531 et seq. Based on that status change, the Commission will also edit Rule 68A-27.005 to remove the Panama City crayfish from the list of Species of Special Concern. An amendment to Rule 68A-27.003 would update the scientific names of the shinyrayed pocketbook (Hamiota subangulata), Choctaw bean (Obovaria choctawensis), round ebonyshell (Reginaia rotulata), and eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi). The effect of these rule amendments will be to change the listing status of one species and update the scientific names of four species.