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) **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1215855013x1201028747/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=De cemailfooterNO62)
