Endangered species hearing set for Bangor

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife will hold a public hearing in Bangor Wednesday evening to gather comments on proposed additions to the state’s list of endangered and threatened species.

DIF&W officials have recommended the state add a dozen animal and invertebrate species to Maine’s list.

The species recommended for “endangered” status are: New England cottontail, redfin pickerel, juniper hairstreak butterfly and rapids clubtail dragonfly. The state is seeking “threatened” status for four bird species: black-crowned night heron, common moorhen, great cormorant and short-eared owl.

Invertebrates recommended for addition to the list of threatened species are: purple lesser fritillary and sleepy duskywing butterflies, the boreal snaketail dragonfly and the brook floater mussel.

DIF&W also is recommending downgrading the ringed boghaunter dragonfly from endangered to threatened and removing the pygmy snaketail dragonfly from the threatened list.

If accepted by DIF&W’s advisory council, the proposed changes will be submitted to the Legislature for consideration during the 2007 session.

Wednesday’s public hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Ramada Inn at 357 Odlin Road in Bangor. Officials are also holding a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. tonight in Portland City Hall.