Snake River snail may be taken off protected list

BOISE – A snail found along a 65-mile stretch of the Snake River in southern Idaho may no longer need protection as a threatened species, federal officials say.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, after a review of data supplied by the state and its leading utility, said it will take the next step toward delisting the Bliss Rapids Snail.

The snail, found along the Snake River in the Hagerman area, was listed as a federally threatened species in 1992 because of threats from hydroelectric dams, irrigation and poor water quality.

In December, Idaho Power Co. and the state Office of Species Conservation petitioned the federal agency to delist the snail.

They submitted information indicating the snail is more abundant than once believed and no longer threatened, said Jeff Foss, field supervisor of the Fish and Wildlife Service in Boise.

“We will be taking a closer look at this species, and encourage the public to submit new scientific information and comments,” he said. The deadline for submitting information is Sept. 4.