New Public Comment Period For Dunes Sagebrush Lizard
By: Karl Rundgren
Updated: February 27, 2012
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The decision on whether to list the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard on the Endangered Species List has been pushed back.
Now, people are being given another chance to share their thoughts on the West Texas reptile.
United States Fish and Wildlife has reopened the public comment period on the possible listing through March 12th.
With the comment period open, the public is allowed to comment on a signed conservation agreement in Texas, as well as one in New Mexico.
The Texas plan allows oil and gas producers to keep working while the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard is on the Endangered Species List -- as long as they also provide space to preserve the lizard's habitat. This plan could ease concerns that placing the lizard on the endangered species list would shut down the oil and gas industry in West Texas.
Still, it's likely that a listing of the lizard as an endangered species would hurt the oil and gas industry.
Now, people are being given another chance to share their thoughts on the West Texas reptile.
United States Fish and Wildlife has reopened the public comment period on the possible listing through March 12th.
With the comment period open, the public is allowed to comment on a signed conservation agreement in Texas, as well as one in New Mexico.
The Texas plan allows oil and gas producers to keep working while the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard is on the Endangered Species List -- as long as they also provide space to preserve the lizard's habitat. This plan could ease concerns that placing the lizard on the endangered species list would shut down the oil and gas industry in West Texas.
Still, it's likely that a listing of the lizard as an endangered species would hurt the oil and gas industry.
