Locals say sagebrush lizard ruling a win for Eddy County

Emails and phone calls across southeastern New Mexico were burning up the lines Wednesday as unofficial word spread that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was not going to list the dunes sagebrush lizard as an endangered species. Finally, by mid-morning it was official. Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar formally announced the decision against the listing and the mood in Carlsbad and Eddy County seemed predominately celebratory. Rancher and Eddy County Commissioner Lewis Derrick, who led the charge against the listing on behalf of Eddy County and his constituents, said he is pleased with Fish and Wildlife's decision. "It's a good decision," Derrick said. "We are already doing things through the Candidate Conservation Agreements we have in place. We have the science on our side. Eddy, Lea and Chaves counties, along with West Texas counties, private and federal landowners and the oil and gas industry worked together for the past 18 months to show the federal government the science and that we are protecting the lizard." Asked if he thinks environmental groups pushing for listing the lizard as an endangered species will file a lawsuit against the Fish and Wildlife Service, Derrick replied, "I hope the environmental crowd don't sue, but they could. If they do, we have the science on our side and we can intervene if they do." Eddy County Commission Chairwoman Roxanne Lara said that Fish and Wildlife's decision shows that when local governments are involved in the process and voice the concerns of the residents and stakeholders, the federal authorities will listen to that voice. "The Candidate Conservation Agreements brought together government agencies, ranchers and oil and gas producers to successfully collaborate on a plan to protect the species and to protect the local economy simultaneously," Lara said. "Since the proposed listing, another collaboration has taken place, this time, with Sens. Bingaman and Udall and Rep. Steve Pearce (R-N.M.) joining the table to voice the local concerns," she said. "Collaboration is key to good decisions and I'm so proud of all the people that worked hard to get to this day."...more

The article quotes Senator Tom Udall:

"Today's decision is unprecedented in the history of the Endangered Species Act," Udall said. "It represents a potential breakthrough in maximizing ecosystem preservation and minimizing conflict. "It's the result of months of collaboration and serves as a testament to the positive efforts of New Mexico Land agencies, ranchers and oil and gas producers who reached a compact that simultaneously protects the local economy and the lizard," Udall said. "The end result proves that over-heated political rhetoric and conflict are not the most effective way to resolve disputes over conservation.."

Here's how I interpret Udall's remarks:  "See, this proves there is no reason to amend or change in anyway the Endangered Species Act.  Don't listen to Steve Pearce and others who are critical of the Act, just calm down and work with me and everything will be fine."

Udall is also quoted as saying, "I hope it will serve as a model for future agreements."

Pardon me for being a skeptic.  

I think it will serve as a model for when:

° A listing will have a definitely negative impact on the oil & gas industry
° It's a Presidential election year and gas prices are a hot issue
° The species occurs in a swing state, and
° The swing state has a hotly contested race for the Senate which could determine which party controls that body

Having said that, congratulations to all those who worked so hard to make this a favorable outcome.