Feds delay decision on NM, Texas lizard listing

A decision on whether a lizard found only in parts of New Mexico and Texas should be added to the endangered species list has been put off another six months, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Thursday. Federal wildlife officials were set to deliver their decision on the dunes sagebrush lizard later this month, but the agency said it wants to solicit additional scientific information and public comment before making any final decisions regarding the lizard proposal. The move comes after congressional representatives from several states, including New Mexico and Texas, sent letters to the agency and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. Environmentalists accused Fish and Wildlife of caving to political pressure and oil and natural gas interests. Environmentalists contend lizard habitat makes up only a fraction of the areas being used by energy developers. However, the developers, some lawmakers and state officials in Texas are concerned that a listing decision would have severe implications for the region's economy. U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., and others have complained that a listing would result in oil and gas development being limited on thousands of acres in the Permian Basin, costing jobs, tax revenues and royalties. Pearce was among 18 House members who sent a letter to Salazar in late November, saying new scientific evidence collected since the initial listing proposal supports the view that the lizard isn't endangered...more