RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota's congressional delegation says listing the northern long-eared bat as threatened is a misguided approach to addressing the bat's decline.

Sens. John Thune and Mike Rounds and Rep. Kristi Noem say they're disappointed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision to list the bat as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

Officials say the spread of a deadly fungal disease called white-nose syndrome has killed millions of the flying mammals. It's confirmed or suspected in 28 of the 37 states where the bats live.

The disease has not yet been found in South Dakota, and the state won't immediately be affected by the new protective measures. But the delegation says if it ever is detected in South Dakota, it could hurt the Black Hills timber industry.

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