MADISON, WI (AP)-- Wisconsin officials and timber industry representatives are trying to determine how to save the dwindling northern long-eared bat population while limiting the economic impact of preservation efforts.
Press-Gazette Media reports the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed protections for the bats, including adding it to the endangered species list. Bats have been dying by the millions since the deadly white-nose syndrome was discovered in 2006.
Federal regulations intended to protect the bats could restrict the timber industry from logging trees where the bats live during a 30- to 45-day period in the summer. Industry professionals said during a Monday meeting that they could lose tens of billions of dollars annually under such rules.
The service is scheduled to announce a final decision on protection efforts in April.
