U.S. Rep. Only Wants Dunes Sagebrush Lizard Off Endangered Species List In New Mexico
By: Dylan Brooks
Updated: April 24, 2012
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- For months, Republican lawmakers from Texas and New Mexico have been banding together to help keep the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard off the Endangered Species List. But now, that coalition appears to have crumbled.
The Carlsbad Current-Argus reports that U.S. Representative Steve Pearce (R-NM) Is now only opposed to the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard being listed as an endangered species in New Mexico.
Pierce had originally opposed the potential U.S. Fish and Wildlife listing of the lizard as an endangered species in both New Mexico and Texas.
In a statement, Pierce -- who's from Hobbs, NM -- pointed out that New Mexico has voluntarily taken steps to protect 93 percent of the lizard's habitat in the Land of Enchantment, while Texas lawmakers have failed to do the same in the Lone Star State.
Pierce also says New Mexico shouldn't have to pay for the Lone Star State's failings on the issue.
The Dunes Sagebrush Lizard's habitat is in Southeast New Mexico and West Texas -- both of which are major oil producing areas.
If the lizard is placed on the Endangered Species List, it could prove catastrophic to the oil and gas industry in West Texas and Southeast New Mexico.
The Carlsbad Current-Argus reports that U.S. Representative Steve Pearce (R-NM) Is now only opposed to the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard being listed as an endangered species in New Mexico.
Pierce had originally opposed the potential U.S. Fish and Wildlife listing of the lizard as an endangered species in both New Mexico and Texas.
In a statement, Pierce -- who's from Hobbs, NM -- pointed out that New Mexico has voluntarily taken steps to protect 93 percent of the lizard's habitat in the Land of Enchantment, while Texas lawmakers have failed to do the same in the Lone Star State.
Pierce also says New Mexico shouldn't have to pay for the Lone Star State's failings on the issue.
The Dunes Sagebrush Lizard's habitat is in Southeast New Mexico and West Texas -- both of which are major oil producing areas.
If the lizard is placed on the Endangered Species List, it could prove catastrophic to the oil and gas industry in West Texas and Southeast New Mexico.
