Wood Stork Delisted: What It Means for Projects in the Southeastern U.S.

This delisting brings meaningful regulatory relief for developers and landowners in states with primary breeding colonies such as Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that the Southeast U.S. Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the wood stork (Mycteria americana) is officially delisted from the Federal Endangered Species List, effective March 12, 2026. After 40 years of conservation success, this iconic wading bird’s breeding population has more than doubled, and its range has expanded.

Impacts on Development & Land Use
  • Reduced Mitigation Costs: Developers with projects in states such as Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas will likely no longer face federal requirements to purchase credits from mitigation banks to offset the loss of wetlands deemed “core foraging areas” for the wood stork. Projects may save hundreds of thousands of dollars per acre of impact.
  • Streamlined Permitting: Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) section 7 consultations and prohibitions no longer apply, allowing for faster approvals of residential, commercial and infrastructure projects in the Southeast.
  • Shifted Stewardship: Management responsibility returns to state agencies, with a 10-year post-delisting monitoring plan ensuring continued species stability.
Navigating Post-Delisting Opportunities with ECT

ECT has long guided clients through complex ESA compliance and compensatory wetland mitigation requirements. With the wood stork delisting, our team of experts can:

  • Assess your site to determine which federal restrictions no longer apply.
  • Help optimize project plans to take advantage of reduced regulatory requirements.
  • Provide strategic guidance for balancing development with ongoing conservation obligations.

This milestone represents both a conservation success and a unique opportunity for developers with projects in the Southeast. ECT is ready to help you navigate the post-delisting landscape and ensure your projects move forward efficiently and responsibly. Connect with our team today.

About ECT
ECT provides experts on subjects that matter to address the complex environmental challenges and opportunities that face our clients and communities today. With professionals in more than 29 states, ECT specializes in natural resources, ecosystem restoration, remediation, water resource initiatives, and sustainability programs requiring cutting-edge technologies, effective permitting strategies, and responsive project management.

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