Feds set aside habitat for rare NM salamander
Feds set aside critical habitat for New Mexico's Jemez Mountain salamander
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- Federal wildlife officials have designated more than 140 square miles in northern New Mexico as critical habitat for the Jemez Mountain salamander.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the area spans parts of Los Alamos, Rio Arriba and Sandoval counties.
The salamander was listed as an endangered species in September. Biologists say the primary threats include habitat loss or degradation caused by wildfires, current fire management practices and climate change.
Most of the land designated as critical habitat is federal. There are about 2,800 acres that are private property.
The agency prepared both an economic and environmental analyses of the designation of critical habitat. The agency says no changes in economic activity or land or water management are expected to result from the critical habitat designation.
