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Habitat of Endangered Fish Protected in Kentucky

More than 120 miles of river habitat for an endangered fish are now under federal protection in Kentucky and West Virginia.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the protection of the diamond darter's habitat. The "critical habitat" designation includes 95 miles of the Green River in Edmonson, Green and Hart counties in Kentucky. It requires federal agencies to ensure that federally funded or permitted activities will not harm the darter or their habitat.

The diamond darter was protected under the Endangered Species Act last month. The tiny fish was considered extinct until scientists rediscovered it in West Virginia in 1980. Fewer than 125 of them have been seen over the past 30 years.

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