More habitat is sought for cave critters
_By Anton Caputo _ (http://www.mysanantonio.com/email_us?contentID=37618059)
- Express-News
Web Posted: 01/15/2009 12:00 CST
The Center for Biological Diversity is suing the federal government in an
effort to win more critical habitat for 18 endangered species, including 12
found in or near Bexar County.
The lawsuits filed Wednesday are the latest in a series of legal actions by
environmental groups to force the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's hand in
using critical habitat to protect endangered species.
In the case of the species included in the suits, critical habitat was
granted but usually in amounts far less than that recommended by federal
biologists. The Center for Biological Diversity contends that was due to
political
influence by the Bush administration.
“Hopefully, with the new administration, we have an administration that will
take its duty for endangered species more seriously,” said Noah Greenwald,
the group's biodiversity program director.
Ideally, he said, the Obama administration will settle the suit by simply
ordering the Fish and Wildlife Service to reconsider the critical habitat
designations.
The local species in the suit include nine bugs found in one or more caves in
Bexar County: the Robber Baron Cave harvestman; vesper cave spider;
Government Canyon cave spider; Madla's cave spider; Robber Baron cave spider;
Helotes
mold beetle, Cicurina venii; Rhadine exilis; and Cokendolpher cave
harvestman.
In the case of these nine species, Fish and Wildlife originally proposed
designating 9,516 acres in Bexar County as critical habitat. But when the final
designation came out in 2003, it encompassed 1,063 acres.
Also included are three species found in springs in the Hill Country: the
Peck's Cave amphipod; Comal Springs dryopid beetle; and Comal Springs riffle
beetle.
In the case of these three, Fish and Wildlife set aside between 30 and 40
acres each in springs, but, according to the suit, ignored the advice of some
experts to designate critical habitat in the Edwards Aquifer, which provides
water for the springs.
The San Antonio-based Aquifer Guardians in Urban Areas is working with the
Center for Biological diversity in the legal action.
The critical habitat designation has long been a lightning rod for those who
are opposed to the Endangered Species Act, and Fish and Wildlife under the
Bush administration typically refused to designate critical habitat unless
ordered by a court.
Once land is designated critical habitat, it is more difficult to develop if
a federal permit or funding is needed.
The only other species involved in the lawsuits found in Texas is the
Arkansas River shiner, which can be found in the Canadian River in the
Panhandle.
The other species are the San Bernardino kangaroo rat; the Riverside fairy
shrimp; Coachella Valley milk-vetch; Peirson's milk-vetch; and the willowy
Monardella.
_http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/environment/37618059.html_
(http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/environment/37618059.html)
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