Patterson commends USFWs decision to call for more data
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas The federal governments call for actual evidence that this lizard is in danger means they are listening to us" said Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson while commending on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services decision to call for more data before making any decision to list the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard as an endangered species. Listing the lizard could threaten continued exploration and production of one of the nations top-producing oil patches the Permian Basin. This is good news because this proposed listing hasnt been based on science" Patterson said.
Patterson has previously blasted the federal governments decision to consider listing the dunes sagebrush lizard because of a lack of data on the lizards population.
This whole proposed listing was driven by litigation not science" said Patterson. Thats no way to make policy that could affect so many Texans."
This just delays a case of federal reptile dysfunction for the Permian Basin" Patterson said. Lets hope that more information will be the cure."
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services decision to delay any listing for six months will re-open the issue for public comment.
Written comments must be received by close of business on January 18 2012. For further information on how and where to submit comments and to review and/or download these documents visit the Services Southwest Regions website
http://southwest.fws.gov/.
