Conservation Group Challenges Government Decision to Deny Protection for Rare Lizards

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.