12 counties in Georgia and South Carolina now have 6,661 acres of protected plant habitat

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has declared the Ocmulgee skullcap, a rare plant, an endangered species. This means 6,661 acres across 12 counties in Georgia and South Carolina are now designated as critical habitat, making it illegal to harm the plant or its environment.

When a species is listed as endangered, it triggers a cascade of protections under the Endangered Species Act. This designation means that any federal project, permit, or funding in the designated critical habitat must now consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure it does not harm the Ocmulgee skullcap or its habitat. This can lead to delays, modifications, or even cancellations of development projects in those areas.