Endangered Species “Stops the Clock” on Yale Farm

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has determined that the Yale Farm Golf Course developer should do a survey to determine if the endangered bog turtle lives on the property, or redesign the project to protect bog turtle habitat. A final determination on the application will await the completion of this step. The bog turtle is a tiny turtle that relies on open, wet habitat. It is classified as endangered in the state, and threatened on the federal endangered species list. Its decline has been attributed to habitat loss and illegal collection for the pet trade. Quoting scientist Michael Klemens, a Department of Environmental Protection fact sheet states that “Unless aggressive actions are taken within the next decade, the bog turtle could be the first reptile to become extinct in Connecticut.”