Biodiversity

STURGEON NEWS

Species diversity and risk levels rankings for the states.

The Southern Appalachians: A Changing World

TN Biologists Find Endangered Mussels In Cumberland River

Aquatic Ecosystems and Global Climate Change:

August 6, 2001
USFWS proposes reintroduction of four fishes--the duskytail darter, smoky madtom, yellowfin madtom, and the spotfin chub--into the Tellico River in Monroe County, Tennessee.

The fishes would be introduced between the backwaters of Tellico Reservoir and the Tellico Ranger Station.  The Service proposes to designate these populations as Nonessential Experimental Populations under the Endangered Species Act.   This special status provides more flexibility and regulatory relief to agencies proposing to conduct activities that may affect the experimental populations.  For more information, contact Richard Biggins, Asheville Field Office, at 828-258-3939, extension 228 or [email protected]

Significant Biodiversity Loss Across North America- NAFTA State of the Environment Report

BUSH ADMINISTRATION SUPPRESSES POLAR BEAR REPORT CRITICAL OF ARCTIC REFUGE OIL DRILLING
On 10-30-01, the Center for Biological Diversity filed suit against the Bush administration for refusing to publicly release a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service report suggesting that opening the Arctic National  Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling could undermine the entire U.S. polar bear conservation strategy and violate an international polar bear agreement.

Posted 11/12/2001

CALIFORNIA GOSHAWKS DODGE TIMBER BULLET
On 10-10-01, the California Board of Forestry rejected a petition by a logger to remove the northern goshawk from the state “sensitive” species list. De-listing would have opened more of the goshawk’s mature forest habitat to logging. During a board hearing, the Center for Biological Diversity presented evidence that the goshawk is vulnerable to logging impacts and needs stronger, not weaker conservation measures.

Posted 11/12/2001

SCIENTIFIC REPORT: WESTERN TROUT NEED ROAD-LESS HABITAT
The newly formed Western Native Trout campaign released a scientific report on 11-5-01 showing the importance of road-less areas to imperiled native western trout. Using GIS technology and biological indicators of trout health, the report shows that the remaining healthy populations of native trout are strongly correlated with road-less areas

Posted 11/12/2001

22,000 ACRES TO BE PROTECTED FOR TWO CALIFORNIA PLANTS
Fulfilling a court order won by the Center for Biological Diversity and the California Native Plant Society, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service issued proposed rules to designate and protect 22,054 acres of critical habitat for the purple amole (Chlorogalum purpureum) on 11-8-01 and the Kneeland prairie penny-cress (Thlaspi californicum) on 10-24-01.

Posted 11/12/2001

AGREEMENT REACHED TO RE-ESTABLISH CRITICAL HABITAT FOR ENDANGERED ARIZONA PYGMY OWL
To head off future litigation and ensure that habitat is protected for Arizona’s endangered cactus ferruginous pygmy owl, the Center for Biological Diversity and Defenders of Wildlife have reached an agreement with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service that calls for the re-designation of critical habitat for the owl within 16 months.

Posted 11/12/2001