Action timeline

1996 – The U.S. Virgin Islands Division of Fish and Wildlife petitioned to protect Agave eggersiana and Solanum conocarpum under the Endangered Species Act.

1998 – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed that there was credible information supporting listing and committed to issuing a final finding within nine months as to whether listing these species was warranted.

2004 – After the Service failed to act for six years, the Center filed suit.

April 26, 2005 – The lawsuit resulted in a settlement agreement and the Service agreed to submit its final finding by February 2006.

2006 – The Service disregarded the opinions of its own experts and published a 12-month “not warranted” finding for Agave eggersiana and Solanum conocarpum precluding any protection for the species under the Endangered Species Act.