US Fish and Wildlife Service declares dunes sagebrush lizard in New Mexico and West Texas an endangered species, citing energy development, sand mining, and climate change as threats.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service has declared the dunes sagebrush lizard in southeastern New Mexico and West Texas an endangered species, citing threats such as future energy development, sand mining, and climate change. The lizard's habitat, located in the world's most lucrative oil and natural gas basin, has been fragmented, preventing it from finding mates. The decision follows two decades of legal and regulatory disputes between the US government, conservationists, and the oil and gas industry, with environmentalists praising the move and industry leaders condemning it as a threat to future fossil fuel production.
May 17, 2024
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