FWSProposed Rule

Endangered and Threatened Species: 12-Month Not-Warranted Finding for the Okinawa Woodpecker

Environment

Summary

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has decided not to add the Okinawa Woodpecker to the list of endangered or threatened species after reviewing its status for 12 months. This means the bird will not receive federal protection, though it may still face conservation efforts through other means.

Key Points

  • 1The Okinawa Woodpecker, a bird species found in Japan, was reviewed to determine if it should be federally protected as endangered or threatened
  • 2After a 12-month review, the Fish and Wildlife Service concluded the bird does not need federal protection at this time
  • 3Without this protection, the woodpecker will not automatically receive funding or legal protections that come with endangered species status
  • 4Conservation efforts for the bird may still continue through other programs or local Japanese government initiatives
  • 5This proposed rule is open for public comment before a final decision is made

Key Dates

Published

November 18, 2025

This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.

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