(a) The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, establishing procedures for determining whether any native species is endangered, threatened or of special concern. In making such determination, the commissioner shall consider: (1) The destruction or threatened destruction, modification or curtailment of the habitat of the species; (2) overutilization of the species for commercial, recreational, scientific, educational or private purposes; (3) disease, predation or competition affecting the species; (4) the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms to affect the continued existence of the species within the state; or (5) other natural or man-made factors affecting the continued existence of the species within the state.

(b) Not later than June 22, 1990, the commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, listing native wildlife and native plants that he has determined to be endangered or threatened species or species of special concern. Not later than June 22, 1991, the commissioner shall so adopt regulations to identify, where biologically feasible, essential habitats for endangered and threatened species.

(c) The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to establish criteria to be included in a petition pursuant to section 4-174 to add or remove a species from the list of endangered or threatened species or species of special concern or to add or remove an area identified as an essential habitat for such species.

(P.A. 89-224, S. 4, 22.)