The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), proposes to list the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) as a threatened species and designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (the Act). They propose to list the monarch butterfly as a threatened species with protective regulations under section 4(d) (a “4(d) rule”). Finalizing this rule as proposed would add this species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend the Act's protections to the species. We also propose to designate critical habitat for the monarch butterfly under the Act. In total, approximately 4,395 acres in Alameda, Marin, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Ventura Counties, California, fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation.

Announced 18 March 2025: The monarch butterfly proposed rule comment period is being reopened for 60 days (March 19 - May 19, 2025), to give all interested parties an additional opportunity to comment on the proposed rule.   Read the full press release.

If you've already submitted comments to meet the 12 March deadline... thank you! It has been confirmed that during this comment reopen period, you can submit additional comments into the docket separately. While submitting a 2nd set of comments, you need to reference your previous comments at which point all of them will be considered.  This could be useful if you gain additional information you feel important to comment on.