Monarch Up‑listed; Two Western Bumble Bees Listed

Summary#

This is a proposed Order Amending Schedule 1 to the Species at Risk Act published on May 13, 2023. It would add two Western bumble bee subspecies and reclassify the Monarch (Danaus plexippus) from "special concern" to "endangered," which would trigger federal protections and recovery planning for those animals on federal lands. Comments on the proposal are open for 30 days after publication.

What it does#

• Adds the Bumble Bee occidentalis subspecies, Western (Bombus occidentalis occidentalis) to Schedule 1 as threatened.
• Adds the Bumble Bee mckayi subspecies, Western (Bombus occidentalis mckayi) to Schedule 1 as a species of special concern.
• Reclassifies the Monarch (Danaus plexippus) on Schedule 1 from special concern to endangered.
• If listed as threatened or endangered, the SARA general prohibitions would apply immediately on federal lands. That means it would be illegal on federal lands to kill or harm individuals of those species or to damage their "residences" (for example, occupied milkweed for Monarchs) without a permit.
• Listing would also trigger recovery planning: recovery strategies and action plans for threatened/endangered species, and a management plan for species of special concern.
• Some routine activities on federal lands could require permits. The government estimates total incremental costs of the proposal at about $2.2 million to $7.7 million over 10 years (including administration, permits, and potential agricultural impacts).

Who's affected#

• People and groups managing or using federal lands, including those on First Nation reserves and other federal properties.
• Farmers and agricultural activities on federal lands, where milkweed occurs among crops (possible yield or herbicide-use impacts).
• Federal departments and agencies such as Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Parks Canada Agency, which would lead recovery planning and compliance promotion.
• Researchers, conservation groups, beekeepers, gardeners and volunteers involved in Monarch or bumble bee stewardship (some activities on federal land could need permits).
• Indigenous communities in areas where these insects occur. The government says modern-treaty and rights implications were considered and no conflicts were identified in the agreements reviewed.

Why it matters#

• These species are pollinators. Protecting them supports pollination services that help food crops and wild plants, and it preserves cultural and recreational values (e.g., school projects, butterfly viewing).
• For the Monarch, the rule could limit removal of milkweed on federal land during the breeding season unless a permit is granted. That matters for land managers who currently remove milkweed or use herbicides.
• For farmers and small businesses on federal lands (especially some reserves), there may be extra costs from permits or changes in herbicide use. The government estimates potential agriculture profit losses of about $0.9 million to $2.7 million over 10 years in its higher-impact scenarios.
• Listing starts recovery work (strategies, action plans, management plans) that could lead to further habitat protection measures later, including possible regulatory action for critical habitat.
• This is a proposal, not a final decision. The public and affected groups had a comment period (the notice gives 30 days after publication) and the government considered consultation feedback in its analysis.