Subject: FW: SW BIODIVERSITY ALERT #181

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      SOUTHWEST CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
                                   http//www.sw-center.org
     
#181                                                                     
4-22-99
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§ USFWS RESPONDS TO SUIT, PETITION- TAKES FIRST
   STEP TO PROTECTING RARE CALIFORNIA PLANT

§ SUIT FILED TO PROTECT CALIFORNIA RED-LEGGED FROG

§ GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR PREDATOR PROTECTION

§ GLOBAL WARMING TO INCREASE RAIN IN SOUTHWEST-
   POLICY REFORMS WILL TAKE DECADES TO HAVE EFFECT

                          *****     *****     *****    *****

IMPERILED CALIFORNIA PLANT CREEPS TOWARD RECOVERY
On 4-19-99, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service announced a positive 90-day
finding on the Southwest Center's petition to list the San Diego ambrosia
(Amrosia pumila) as an endangered species. The 90-day finding is the first
of three hurdles a species must pass through to be protected under the
Endangered Species Act.

Generally restricted to terraces above rivers and drainages, the ambrosia
is threatened by urban sprawl, agricultural expansion, pesticide spraying,
and exotic species introduction. Only 14 populations remain in San Diego
County. The long-term viability of at least 7 of these is questionable due to
population size, fragmentation, and habitat degradation. One "population"
consists of single plant. Two populations remain in Riverside County, one of
which is in the path of a proposed development. Three populations remain in
Mexico, all of which are threatened by sprawl and agricultural development.

The Southwest Center filed the petition on 1-9-97. We filed suit on 10-1-98
to compel the agency to issue both a 90-day finding and a proposed rule.
     _____________________

SUIT FILED TO PROTECT CALIFORNIA RED-LEGGED FROG
On 3-24-99, the Jumping Frog Insitute, the Southwest Center for Biological
Diversity, the Center for Sierra Nevada Conservation and others filed suit
against the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for refusing to designate protected
critical habitat for the California red-legged frog.

Made famouse by Mark Twain as the Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras
County, the California red-legged frog is the largest native frog in the
western
United States. It formerly lived on the coast from Marin County to Santa
Barbara, throughout the Central Valley, and in lower elevations of the Sierra
Nevada. Today, the frog can be found only in isolated pockets along the coast,
with a few scattered survivors hang on in the Sierra Nevadas. It was listed as
a "threatened" species under the Endangered Species Act in 1996. Urban
sprawl, logging, chemical spraying, and irrigation are the primary reasons for
its decline.

The Fish & Wildlife Service has refused to designate critical habitat because
the specification of actual areas necessary for the frog's survival and
recovery
provides the public with a clear and powerful tool to prevent habitat loss.
This
runs contrary to the desires of the extractive industries and the politicians
they
fund. The plaintiffs are represented by Jan Hasselman of the Earthjustice Legal

Defense Fund.
     ______________________

GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR BIOREGIONAL PREDATOR PROTECTION
The Wildlife Network, a project of Earth Island Institute, with the support of
the
Summerlee Foundation, is soliciting grant proposals to restore and maintain
healthy ecosystems through carnivore protection and recovery. Up to $25,000 is
available for a Bioregional Strategic Planning pilot program. Technical and
facilitation assistance are also available. Proposals should bring together
potential allies to craft 2 to 5 year strategic plans.

Groups working on wildlife, biodiversity, animal, wilderness, habitat
protection
and resource related issues are encouraged to apply.  Applicants must have a
strong commitment to wildlife and/or resource protection, have experience and
skill organizing collaborative efforts, and have a 501(c)(3) organization
through
which to receive the funds.

The grant procedures include Phase I - the initial screening application, and
Phase II, the full application process. Five applicants who meet the guidelines

from Phase I will be asked to complete the Phase II application procedure.
Application deadline for Phase I is July 15, 1999. The funding covers steering
committee meetings, workshops, research, communication networking, and a
two-day summit.

For more information and to obtain a copy of the guidelines contact
Sharon Negri: snegri@igc.apc.org, or write to:

The Wildlife Network, 353 Wallace Way, NE Suite 12
Bainbridge Island, WA  98110   206-780-9718
     __________________

GLOBAL WARMING TO INCREASE RAIN IN SOUTHWEST-
POLICY REFORMS WILL TAKE DECADES TO HAVE EFFECT
Carbon dioxide emissions over the next century could increase wintertime
precipitation over the U.S. Southwest and Great Plains by 40% as global
average temperature rises 3 degrees, according to latest results from a new
climate system model developed at the National Center for Atmospheric
Research by NCAR, university, and other laboratory scientists. According
to the model reduction of carbon dioxide concentrations over the next
century by one half would largely dry up the extra rain and snow, and
would slow the global temperature rise to 2 degrees. The model results
were announced last week in Atlanta. The study was funded in part by the
National Science Foundation.

The model shows no clear separation between the business-as-usual and
the stabilization cases until around 2060, even though the carbon dioxide
concentrations begin to diverge in 2010. The half-century lag until the
changes in greenhouse emissions begin to affect the climate noticeably
is the result of large thermal inertia in the earth's climate system,
especially in the oceans.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Kierán Suckling                               ksuckling@sw-center.org
Executive Director                            520.623.5252 phone
Southwest Center for Biological Diversity     520.623.9797 fax
http://www.sw-center.org                      pob 710, tucson, az 85702-710