No. 294, 3/22/2002 1094

WASHINGTON AND OREGON: FEDS TO REVIEW STATUS OF COASTAL CUTTHROAT TROUT

The Center for Biological Diversity, the California Native Plant Society and the Southern Appalachian Biodiversity Project have reached an agreement with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service requiring the agency to assess the status of the coastal cutthroat trout population in southwest Washington and the Columbia River (excluding the Willamette River above Willamette Falls). The agency will issue a decision whether to list the population as an endangered species by 6-23-02.

This coastal cutthroat trout population was proposed as an endangered species on 4-5-99, but a final decision on its fate was delayed first by an illegal federal moratorium on the listing of endangered species, and then the general delay tactics of the Bush administration. In a suit brought by the Center for Biological Diversity over an imperiled New Mexico butterfly, the moratorium was struck down by a federal court on 7-31-01. The administration agreed to issue a final rule on the cutthroat as part of broad agreement to expedite the protection of 29 species nationwide. More information on the historic agreement is available at:

For maps, species profiles and other information on the agreement click here…