The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) sued the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), challenging the agency’s decision to deny Endangered Species Act (ESA) protection to the Cedar Key mole skink, a rare lizard species found along ten miles of Florida coastline. The imperiled lizard is highly vulnerable to climate change-releated rising sea levels, storm surges, and urban development. CBD is seeking declaratory and injunctive relief, including a finding that FWS has violated the ESA and a court order requiring the agency to conduct a new 12-month finding to assess whether the Cedar Key mole skink meets the requirements for listing status.
Conservation Group Challenges Government Decision to Deny Protection for Rare Lizards
Excerpt from Animal Law Digest: United States Edition: Issue 122