September 20, 2006

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced its five-year status review for the Banbury Springs lanx, (Lanx n sp.) (undescribed), a mollusk that was listed as endangered in 1992. The species occurs in mainstem or adjacent coldwater tributary spring habitats of the middle Snake River in Idaho.

Under the Endangered Species Act, the Service is required to conduct a review of each listed species at least once every five years. The purpose of a five-year review is to ensure listed species have the appropriate level of protection under the Act.

The review of the Banbury Springs lanx included an assessment of the best available scientific and commercial information regarding biology, life history requirements, habitat and conservation needs. A draft status review was peer reviewed by mollusk and stream ecology experts. The public was also encouraged to submit new scientific or commercial information that had become available since the 1992 listing during a 30-day public comment period that closed on February 27, 2006.

Currently, this species only exists at four cold-spring locations that are isolated from each other: Thousand Springs, Box Canyon Springs, Briggs Springs and Banbury Springs. Primary factors affecting the lanx in its four remaining coldwater spring complexes and tributaries are effects of habitat modification, spring flow reduction, groundwater quality, the invasive New Zealand mudsnail and inadequate regulatory mechanisms.

The threats indicated at the time of listing in 1992 still remain today, rendering the Banbury Springs lanx in danger of extinction in a significant portion of its range. The Service therefore recommends no change in the listing classification for the species, and that it remain as endangered under the Act.

The Service's Snake River Fish and Wildlife Office Field Supervisor, Jeff Foss, said "We thank those who assisted us with a thorough five-year review of the Banbury Springs lanx. This five-year review does not trigger any federally-mandated change in the management of the Banbury Springs lanx or its habitat. We are hopeful that as monitoring and various analyses of the species continues, efforts for successful recovery will continue to be implemented by all parties working to conserve this and other aquatic Snake River snails."

Over next several years, the Service will be initiating five-year reviews of 1,256 listed species. If new information or analysis is acquired during a review, the Service may recommend a change in the classification of species under review. Changes may include a change in status from endangered to threatened or threatened to endangered (reclassification), or removal from the List (delisting). Any change in federal classification would require a separate formal rule-making process, including public review and comment.

The Banbury Springs lanx "5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation" can be obtained online or at http://idahoes.fws.gov, or by contacting the Service's Snake River Fish and Wildlife Office at 1387 S. Vinnell Way, Room 368, Boise, Idaho 83709, (208) 378-5243.