The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) has been carrying out an extensive revision of its protected plant and animal lists since February 2006. The changes proposed to the species list reflect extensive input received from WRD staff, other biologists, and members of the general public. WRD is also proposing an exception to the protected species rules that will allow for the collection of state protected crayfish species for fishing bait. This exception will allow WRD to highlight these species for conservation efforts without restricting an activity that is not considered a threat to their persistence within the state.

The comprehensive revision of Georgia’s list of protected plants and animals is the first since 1992. These lists specify what species are protected under Georgia’s Wildflower Preservation Act and Georgia’s Endangered Wildlife Act, and are increasingly used to help prioritize funding for conservation and research on rare species. In consultation with experts both within and outside of the agency, WRD biologists have reviewed all available scientific and commercial data and are proposing to add 121 species, delete 18 species, and change the status of 43 species that are currently listed.

WRD is proposing to add several rare crayfish species to the state's list of protected animals. WRD biologists and other crayfish experts acknowledge that the collection of these species for bait is not a threat to their conservation. Because anglers could collect these species and because it is often difficult to differentiate the proposed protected crayfishes from more common species, WRD believes that it is necessary to authorize collection.

The proposed changes to protected species rules can be accessed at http://www.georgiawildlife.com/ (Nongame Animals and Plants Page). Opportunities for additional public comment are described with the Notice and Synopsis of Proposed Rule Making online. A timeline for the protected species update, a list of frequently asked questions and other information on the protected species update can also be found on the WRD website or by calling Brett Albanese at (706) 557-3032.