U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists Dunes Sagebrush Lizard under Endangered Species Act
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is listing the dunes sagebrush lizard as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act.
The dunes sagebrush lizard is a rare species found only in the shinnery oak and sand dune ecosystems in extreme southeast New Mexico and west Texas. The lizard occurs in about 4% of lands that make up the 86,000 square mile Permian Basin. Primary threats to the lizard include loss of habitat associated with oil and gas development, sand mining, and changing climate.
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“The designation of critical habitat was found to be prudent but not determinable at this time. The Service has up to one year from the time of listing to propose critical habitat,” according to a news release from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
In New Mexico and Texas, around 100 ranchers and 100 oil and gas partners have enrolled in voluntary agreements to implement conservation practices that address specific threats with assurances that if the species is listed, they can continue to manage their land outlined in their agreements with no additional requirements or restrictions.
In New Mexico, these voluntary enrollments cover nearly 85% of the dune sagebrush lizard’s range within the state. In Texas, enrollment focuses on avoiding and mitigating any unavoidable impacts on lizard habitat.
Although new enrollment in these voluntary agreements ends when the listing rule is final and effective, the service has multiple tools and programs to work with industry, private landowners, and public agencies to streamline and ensure compliance with the ESA.
The decision comes after The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for delaying a decision on whether to declare the lizard an endangered species.
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