10/17/2002
1205
WHY DOES THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE GET SUED SO MUCH?
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service reduced the area of Mexican spotted owl critical habitat by 8.9 million
acres (66%) between the proposed and final rules. It reduced the area of wintering
critical habitat for the piping plover by 1.9 million acres (92%) between the
proposed and final rules. The Service asserted that it was not necessary to issue
a new proposal or take new public comment on these massive changes.
But, the Service asserts,
it can not add five acres (0.1%) to Santa Cruz tarplant critical habitat between
the proposed and final rules. According to the Service, this change would require
a new critical habitat proposal and a new public comment process. Instead, it
excluded the area even though it admits it may be necessary for the conservation
of the species.
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