Ozark Chinquapin Denied Placement On Federal Endangered Species List

NewsOn6.com

CONWAY, Arkansas -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says it will not list the Ozark chinquapin as an Endangered Species.

The reason?  It can be found throughout Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. 

The Ozark chinquapin is a medium-sized chestnut tree which once grew to 65 feet, but now rarely reaches heights of more than 30 feet.

On January 6, 2004, Joe Glenn of Hodgen, Oklahoma, filed a petition requesting the listing of the Ozark chinquapin as candidate species under the ESA.

The Fish and Wildlife Service says chestnut blight has posed a long-term threat to the Ozark chinquapin since 1940, but after conducting a comprehensive and scientific review of the species' current status, decided that inclusion on the list was "not warranted."

The U.S. Forest Service does list Ozark chinquapin as a sensitive species and provides specific protection guidelines in its land management plans.