ANDERSON, Ind. (AP): There's a chance a proposed reservoir in central Indiana won't be impacted by recent protective measures enacted for a species of bat by the federal government.

The northern long-eared bat's presence in the proposed 2,100-acre Mounds Lake Reservoir hasn't been confirmed by scientific study. Tom Melius, Midwest director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, says he isn't sure if the bat's range extends to central Indiana, but that projects can typically move forward when threatened species are present.

The agency said Wednesday that it was listing the bat as threatened because millions have died in the Northeast, South and Midwest because of fungal disease.

Environmental groups have spoken out against the Mounds Lake Reservoir, which would be formed by damming the White River in Anderson.