Subject: FW: SW BIODIVERSITY ALERT #28

Subject: SW BIODIVERSITY ALERT #28

* ************* Southwest Biodiversity Alert #28 *****************
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*            southwest center for biological diversity           *
*                      ksuckling@sw-center.org                   *
*             http://www.envirolink.org/orgs/sw-center           *
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1.  SUIT FILED TO LIST FIVE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
    SPECIES UNDER E.S.A.

2.  PETITION FILED TO REMOVE CATTLE FROM FLAGSTAFF MUNICIPAL WATERSHED

3.  GILA FIREFIGHTER PLEADS GUILTY TO FOREST ARSON

4.  KAIBAB NATIONAL FOREST PROPOSES MASSIVE SALVAGE TIMBERS SALE ON
    THE BORDER OF THE GRAND CANYON

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SUIT FILED TO LIST FIVE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SPECIES UNDER E.S.A.

The Southwest Center has filed suit against the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service to list two butterflies, a fairy shrimp, and two
plants as under the Endangered Species Act.  A similar suit filed by
the Center resulted in court order that the Fish and Wildlife
Service make a listing decision on 6 other imperiled Southern
California species.
        The San Diego fairy shrimp,  the Laguna Mountain
skipper butterfly, the Quino checkerspot butterfly, the Cuyamaca
Lake downingia,  and Parish's meadowfoam are all Southern California
endemics.  The skipper is particularly endangered, being limited to
only three locations with a total population of fewer than one
hundred individuals. Livestock grazing and associated fire
suppression is to blame for the species decline.
        While millions of individual fairy shrimp may still exist,
they are limited to a few dozen vernal pools scattered around San
Diego County and northern Baja. All vernal pools in southern
California are threatened by urbanization and associated edge effects.


PETITION FILED TO REMOVE CATTLE FROM FLAGSTAFF MUNICIPAL WATERSHED

The Southwest Center has filed an Administrative Procedures Act
petition to remove cattle from a portion of a Forest Service grazing
allotment which is polluting Flagstaff's municipal water supply.
The City of Flagstaff supports removal of the cattle to protect the
city from cryptosporiduim, a bacteria found in cattle feces.


GILA FIREFIGHTER PLEADS GUILTY TO FOREST ARSON

A Forest Service firefighter has pleaded guilty to felony charges of
lighting forest fires on the Gila National Forest.  He faces a
maximum penalty of five years and a $250,000 fine.
        The Inspector General's office is continuing its investigation
into Forest Service arson fires on the Gila National Forest.  A second
investigation requested by the Southwest Center is probing the
suspicious origin of the HB Fire which was started the same day the
Salvage Rider was signed, and the Gila National Forest's refusal to
combat the blaze until after it burned through the old growth.

KAIBAB NATIONAL FOREST PROPOSES MASSIVE SALVAGE TIMBERS SALE ON THE BORDER OF THE GRAND CANYON

Following a 56,000 acre fire which burned primarily through pinyon-
juniper woodlands, the Kaibab National Forest plans to log 35
million board feet on 3,000 acres of ponderosa pine. Though the
Forest seeded the burn area with exotic grasses and plans to allow
continued cattle grazing, the logging plan is being billed as
"ecosystem restoration."
        Carried out under the Salvage Rider, the sale will not be
subject to environmental laws, public review or appeal. The sale is
near the border of the Grand Canyon.
        The Southwest Center has vowed to protest the sale through
litigation and civil disobedience if necessary.

Please write the Kaibab, tell them no salvage logging near the Grand
Canyon:

        Conny Frisch, Forest Supervisor
        Kaibab National Forest
        800 S. Sixth St., Williams, AZ 86046
        520.635.8200