Comment on Sceloporus graciosus arenicolus to close March 12, 2012
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reopened public comment on the proposed endangered status of the dunes sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus graciosus arenicolus). The service reopened the comment process in an effort to enable all those interested in the proposed rule to comment. The deadline to comment is 11:59 p.m., March 12, 2012. Copies of the proposed rule (Docket Number FWS-R2-ES-2010-0041) are available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. The title of the documents are "Texas Conservation Plan for Dunes Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus)" and "Candidate Conservation Agreement for the Lesser Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) and Sand Dune Lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus) in New Mexico." Comments can be submitted to The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service directly via the docket here.
Photo Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Interested parties can comment on the status of the dunes sagebrush lizard through March 12, 2012.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service first proposed listing the dunes sagebrush lizard as an endangered species in December 2010. The listing was delayed in December 2011, citing more time was needed to study additional scientific data on the species and habitat in which it resides. The proposed listing has caused many in west Texas to rally against the listing, citing a loss of jobs in the oil and gas industry in the event the lizard makes it onto the Endangered Species List. Those in favor claim the listing would not affect the oil and gas industry as the lizard's habitat accounts for less than 1 percent of all lands in the Permian Basin where heavy oil and gas activity occurs.
More information can be obtained below:
USFWS Proposes Endangered Status for Dunes Sagebrush Lizard
Texas Congressman Makes Push to Keep Dunes Sagebrush Lizard off Endangered Species List
