FWSFinal RuleFebruary 10, 2026

Endangered and Threatened Species: Removal of the Southeast U.S. Distinct Population Segment of the Wood Stork from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife

EnvironmentAgriculture

Summary

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is removing the wood stork population in the Southeast from the endangered species list because the bird's population has recovered enough to survive on its own without federal protection. This means the Southeast wood stork no longer qualifies as an endangered or threatened species under federal law.

Key Points

1The Southeast wood stork population has recovered from near extinction and no longer needs the legal protections that come with being on the endangered species list
2This rule applies only to wood storks in the southeastern United States; other populations may still be protected
3Without endangered species protections, there will be fewer federal restrictions on activities like development and land use in areas where these birds live
4The bird's recovery is considered a success story for the Endangered Species Act after decades of conservation efforts
5This change takes effect after a public comment period and does not affect other endangered species protections

Key Dates

Published

February 10, 2026

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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.