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NOVEMBER 22, 2000

While US Fish and Wildlife says lawsuits by environmentalists are preventing them from protecting endangered species, the Bureau of Land Management is dropping more than 60 species from a list intended to protect national forests and BLM land.

Hugh Vickery, spokesman for Fish and Wildlife, said on Tuesday the agency has had to postpone decisions on about 25 species. He said lawsuits regarding "critical habitat" designations are swamping the agency and that they don't have enough funding to do it all.

Meanwhile, the BLM on Monday removed 60 species from a list of plants, animals, and other forest life that must be identified before logging can proceed on national forests and BLM land. Critics say this move opens the door to increased logging and may file a lawsuit to challenge it.

Get the Story:
Government says environmental lawsuits stymie endangered list (AP 11/21)
New species protection guidelines clear path for loggers (AP 11/21)

Relevant Links:
Endangered Species Program, US Fish and Wildlife - endangered.fws.gov
Northwest Forest Plan, Bureau of Land Management - www.or.blm.gov/nwfpnepa