Spotted turtles lose protected status
The spotted turtle that developers say has stymied or shrunk building projects was voted off the state's list of species of "special concern" this afternoon.
The state Fisheries and Wildlife Board approved a set of 16 changes to the state's list of Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species, including removing the spotted turtle from the list. One member abstained from the vote.
The three- to five-inch long turtle was first put on the list in 1986, when it was known to live in just 24 locations statewide. But over the past two decades, it has been found in more than 960 locations, prompting a debate about whether the species should be on the list.
The turtle has also gained a reputation as an animal that can be used as a tool to down-size, delay, or even stop unwanted developments, since its presence triggers environmental reviews.
"We cannot be perceived to be using any of these species as a way to control development -- we're just looking at the turtle as a turtle," said wildlife biologist and board member Joseph Larson cq. He said that the spotted turtle would not meet today's criteria for species of special concern.
The board also passed an amendment that made it illegal to possess a spotted turtle without a permit.
(By Carolyn Y. Johnson, Globe Staff)
