FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sara Folger, Predator Conservation Alliance: 406-587-3389; sara@predatorconservation.org
May 3, 2000
Conservationists Intend to Challenge Lynx ESA Decision
Today, a coalition of 13 conservation groups and one individual notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) of their intent to challenge the legal and scientific adequacy of the agency's Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing rule regarding the Canada Lynx, a rare forest cat. The coalition contends that although the lynx is now listed as "threatened", FWS failed to ensure the cat's survival and recovery throughout its historic range in the lower 48 states.
"Our interpretation of the recent decision is that the most imperiled lynx in the country are getting the least protections. Even where there are some protections, those are limited to improving forest planning, rather than addressing many other threats known to jeopardize lynx survival," said Sara Folger, Conservation Program Director for the Bozeman, MT - based Predator Conservation Alliance.
Conservationists are particularly troubled by three aspects of the final rule: first, FWS's conclusion that three-quarters of the known historic range of the lynx -- the Northeast, Great Lakes and southern Rockies, and non-federal lands in those regions -- are not necessary for the species' recovery; second, FWS's refusal to list the lynx as "endangered" throughout the contiguous U.S., despite multiple threats to its survival; and third, the agency's failure to designate critical habitat for the species.
Folger added, "Essentially, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - the agency responsible for protection and restoration of imperiled species - will treat the lynx as 'threatened' only on paper. Few real conservation measures will be implemented on the ground, especially outside the northern Rockies and Cascade Mountains in Washington State, and this is not acceptable."
In 1994, conservationists petitioned the FWS to list the lynx under the ESA. After years of legal and administrative wrangling, on March 13, 2000, FWS issued a final rule listing lynx in the contiguous U.S. as "threatened."
"It took six years and three lawsuits to get the lynx listed as threatened," said PCA Executive Director, Tom Skeele. "That should indicate that Americans are not willing to turn their backs on this native predator, even though FWS seems willing to abandon conservation efforts for the lynx in most of its historic range."
Groups filing the notice of intent to sue include Predator Conservation Alliance, Defenders of Wildlife, American Lands Alliance, Biodiversity Legal Foundation, Conservation Action Project, Friends of the Clearwater, The Fund for Animals, Humane Society of the U.S., Kettle Range Conservation Group, Mark Skatrud, Northwest Ecosystem Alliance, Oregon Natural Resources Council, Restore: The North Woods and Superior Wilderness Action Network.
lynx | forest
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