A state endangered species of bat will now get federal protections. The northern long-eared bat will be listed as a federally endangered speciesat the end of January.
The deadly fungal disease white nose syndrome killed many of them and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said the bat could become extinct.
Now that it’s federally endangered, people who work in industries like timber, home development and wind energy will have to do more to avoid destroying the bat’s habitat.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources expressed concern that a proposed natural gas pipeline that would run underneath the Ohio River could harm the northern long-eared bat and the endangered Indiana bat.
READ MORE: Court speeds up decision on endangered bat protections
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But the Fish and Wildlife Service said it’s currently consulting with Texas Gas Transmission, LLC on the project in Posey County and doesn’t expect the new listing to affect the process.
In a statement, the company said it "will comply with all laws and regulations regarding threatened and endangered species prior to beginning construction." Construction is supposed to begin next summer.
Contact reporter Rebecca Thiele at rthiele@iu.edu or follow her on Twitter at @beckythiele.
