Posted: 10.18.2010

 State wildlife officials have rescheduled
public hearings on whether to list four cave bats as threatened
species.

The Department of Natural Resources is considering whether to
permanently classify the bats as threatened in hopes of preserving
as many as possible before the deadly white-nose syndrome disease
reaches Wisconsin. The agency also is considering permanently
listing the disease as an invasive species.

The DNR had set hearings on the proposals for the last week in
October.

But the Natural Resources Board now plans to take up more
white-nose syndrome rules at its Oct. 27 meeting. The rules would
require decontaminating clothing and gear used in caves as well as
restrict cave equipment from out-of-state from being used in
Wisconsin caves.

The DNR wants to consider the whole package together, so the
agency has moved all but one of the hearings to Nov. 29.
 

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