Is Fish and Wildlife Bowing to Public Pressure on the Sand Dunes Lizard Listing?

Washington, DC (December 1, 2011) Today, Congressman Steve Pearce issued the following response in regard to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) decision to extend the listing of the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard under the Endangered Species Act (ESA):

Steve Pearce

The purpose of the ESA is to prevent the extinction of species. However, only 1% of the species listed have recovered,” said Pearce. “The process being used is not working. We can do better. In cases such as the listing of the Spotted Owl and the Delta Smelt, industries have been destroyed, and families have suffered,” Pearce stated. “While I am glad to see FWS delay listing the dunes sagebrush lizard, I continue to oppose its listing, due to the catastrophic effect it would have on jobs in New Mexico and the successful voluntary conservation efforts underway.”
“The ranching community in New Mexico signed agreements with FWS to protect over 1.5 million acres, and the oil and gas industry has similarly enrolled over 800,000 acres. These voluntary conservation agreements have already produced payments by these private sector entities in excess of $2.5 million to protect the lizard. The process was working until the Washington office of FWS suddenly suggested last year that the lizard should be listed. If the lizard is listed, it will end locally managed cooperation efforts for this species and others.”
“Extending the period for public comment and gathering solid science will hopefully point FWS in the right direction,” Pearce continued. “The science presented thus far lacks cohesion with the results FWS has drawn. New data shows that FWS erred in beginning the listing process. As a result, the decision to delay the listing to gather more science on the lizard and its habitat is a victory for New Mexicans. The delay is only half of the battle, however. We must find the right balance between protecting our environment and growing our economy. That will require modernizing and updating the methods by which we protect threatened species.”

FWS was expected to make a decision on December 14, 2011. This week, Congressman Pearce and 17 other Members of Congress submitted a bipartisan letter opposing the listing, but also calling for an extension on the decision. Other Members of Congress and the public have also submitted letters. Congressman Pearce remains opposed to the listing, but will be meeting with Dan Ashe, the Director of FWS, next week to discuss objectives for the six-month extension period.

Is Fish and Wildlife Bowing to Public Pressure on the Sand Dunes Lizard Listing?