No. 310, July 18, 2002


  • SONOMA CALIFORNIA TIGER SALAMANDER LISTED AS ENDANGERED; PROTECTION OF ENTIRE SPECIES TO FOLLOW

  • 57,000 ACRES PROPOSED AS CRITICAL HABITAT FOR PREBLE'S MEADOW JUMPING MOUSE

  • SEA TURTLE PROTECTION MAY INCREASE IN SC, GA, FL; FISHERIES SERVICE DETERMINES ENDANGERED STATUS MAY BE NECESSARY

  • SUIT CHALLENGES "EXPERIMENTAL" LONGLINE FISHING OF SWORDFISH WITHIN ENDANGERED SEA TURTLE RESERVE

  • POPE JOHN PAUL II ASKED TO SAVE SEA TURTLES

  • IRONWOOD FOREST NATIONAL MONUMENT NEEDS YOUR HELP


SONOMA CALIFORNIA TIGER SALAMANDER LISTED AS ENDANGERED, PROTECTION OF ENTIRE SPECIES TO FOLLOW

In keeping with a legal settlement with the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service used its emergency powers to immediately list the Sonoma County population of the California tiger salamander as an endangered species on 7-16-02. It is only the fourth California species ever listed on an emergency basis. The Center petitioned to list it in June, 2001 and filed suit in January, 2002 when the petition was not acted upon.

The California tiger salamander formerly occurred throughout most of the Central Valley, adjacent foothills, and the Coast Ranges. Disjunct populations occurred in Sonoma and Santa Barbara Counties. Both of those populations have now been listed under the Endangered Species Act. According to the terms of the settlement, the Fish & Wildlife Service is required to propose Endangered Species Act listing for the entire species (California tiger salamander) by 5-15-03 and finalize the listing by 5-15-04.

The species breeds in vernal pools, but spends the majority of the year in underground refuges, primarily abandoned rodent burrows, in grassland or oak woodland habitat. It is threatened by pollution and habitat loss and fragmentation, especially by suburban sprawl and agricultural expansion.


57,000 ACRES PROPOSED AS CRITICAL HABITAT FOR PREBLE'S MEADOW JUMPING MOUSE

In keeping with a legal agreement reached with the Center for Biological Diversity, the Biodiversity Legal Foundation, Biodiversity Associates and the South Dakota Resources Coalition, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service proposed to designate 57,446 acres of critical habitat for the endangered Preble's meadow jumping mouse on 7-17-02. The critical habitat zones lie along 658 miles of streams in CO and WY.

Historically, the Preble's meadow jumping mouse lived along heavily vegetated riparian areas along the front range of the Rocky Mountains. Today it is found in only seven CO and two WY counties. Much of its former habitat has been fragmented, degraded, and destroyed by commercial, agricultural, and residential development. Habitat loss is accelerating as front range cities and towns expand.

Though Preble's meadow mouse was placed on the candidate list for federal protection in 1985, it was not listed as an endangered species until 5-3-98. The listing was prompted by a petition by the Biodiversity Legal Foundation.


SEA TURTLE PROTECTION MAY INCREASE IN SC, GA, FL; FISHERIES SERVICE DETERMINES ENDANGERED STATUS MAY BE NECESSARY

On 6-4-02, the National Marine Fisheries Service issued an initial positive finding on a 1-14-02 petition by Turtle Island Restoration Network and the Center for Biological Diversity to upgrade the status of northern and Florida Panhandle populations of loggerhead sea turtles from threatened to endangered. The petition also asks that the populations be treated as populations distinct from other loggerhead sea turtles and that critical habitat areas be designated for them.


The northern population nests along beaches from North Carolina to northeast Florida. It has declined dramatically over the past 20 years. The Florida panhandle population nests on beaches near Eglin Air Force Base and Panama City. It contains fewer than 1,000 individuals. Both are threatened by commercial fishing, coastal development, and pollution.


SUIT CHALLENGES "EXPERIMENTAL" LONGLINE FISHING OF SWORDFISH WITHIN ENDANGERED SEA TURTLE RESERVE

On 6-28-02, the Center for Biological Diversity, Ocean Conservancy and Turtle Island Restoration filed suit against the National Marine Fisheries Service to stop "experimental" longline fishing of swordfish in areas of the Pacific Ocean that are supposed to be under a longline fishing ban to protect sea turtles. The longline fishery kills many leatherback and loggerhead sea turtles by catching them on the fishing lines. The Fisheries Service own biologists have warned that the allowing "experimental" longlining within the sea turtle protective area will jeopardize the species.

The lawsuit is being argued by Paul Achitoff of Earthjustice (HI).


POPE JOHN PAUL II ASKED TO SAVE SEA TURTLES

On 7-8-02, a coalition of 64 scientists and environmental groups asked Pope John Paul II to save sea turtles around the world from extinction by clarifying for Catholics that sea turtles are not fish, and therefore are not an appropriate substitute for meat during Lent. Thousands of sea turtles are killed and eaten each year during Lent by Catholics seeking to eat fish rather than meat during the holy season. Though habitat loss and bycatch by commercial fisheries is a major cause of sea turtle declines, consumption is not insignificant. In Mexico alone, tens of thousands of sea turtles are killed each year, most during Lent.

His Excellency, Pope John Paul II
Vatican City, Rome ITALY

Your Holiness:

We are writing to you on behalf of one of Earth's creatures that does not have a voice of its own.

We are writing to you on behalf of ancient mariners that have long graced our planet with their presence.

We are writing to you on behalf of gentle giants that have touched many human hearts throughout time and across cultures.

We are writing to you on behalf of thousands that could be saved by a few simple words from Your Holiness.

We are writing to you on behalf of the sea turtles, which are consumed during the Lenten season.

All sea turtle species face extinction and are protected by the national laws of many countries. During the Lenten season, devout Catholics around the world consume thousands of turtles as a substitute for meat. Turtles, however, are not fish. They are air-breathing reptiles (still reliant on dry land for the bearing and incubating of their young), and their flesh is meat, and therefore does not fulfill strict Lenten requirements.


IRONWOOD FOREST NATIONAL MONUMENT NEEDS YOUR HELP

The newly created Ironwood Forest National Monument is threatened by extensive off-road vehicle abuse, urban sprawl, and overgrazing. Luckily, the BLM is developing a management plan for the Monument that could fix these problems once and for all. Or it could lock them in for another decade. The direction the BLM takes is up to you. The BLM needs to hear from as many environmental advocates as possible to ensure the Monument is managed for all people and all generations, not just the short-term interests of a few.

Attend a meeting:

Marana: 7-18-02, Sunflower Community, Fiesta Room, 9401 N. Sunflower Park Dr. 5-8 pm.

Green Valley: 7-31-02, Green Valley Fire Department, 1285 West Camino Encanto, 5-8 pm.

Write a letter:

Send written comments by 9-27-02. Bureau of Land Management, Tucson Field Office, 12661 E. Broadway, Tucson, AZ 85748.


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