Endangered Status Removed for Texas Lizard Amid Controversy
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has revoked endangered species protections for the dunes sagebrush lizard, a small reptile native to the Permian Basin. These protections were initially put in place in 2024 but ended following a lawsuit led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against the federal government.
Biologists have expressed concerns over threats the species faces from oil and gas activities in its natural habitat. After being designated as endangered by the Biden administration, Paxton argued the classification did not rely on the best scientific and commercial data. The recent settlement on July 21 results in the federal government agreeing to reassess the lizard’s status, vacating the 2024 classification.
Kenneth Paxton commended the move, stating it rectifies a previous oversight that had not considered ongoing habitat restoration efforts. “Texas, its people, and its industries should not endure the impact of an illegal rule while the species’ status is further evaluated,” he mentioned in a press release.
The Fish and Wildlife Service affirmed its continued collaboration with local partners to preserve the lizard’s environment. However, conservationists criticized Paxton’s action, claiming political and industry pressures influenced the decision rather than valid ecological concerns.
Jason Rylander from the Center for Biological Diversity remarked, “There appears to be a concerning trend where the Fish and Wildlife Service disregards its mission to aid vulnerable wildlife like the dunes sagebrush lizards and lesser prairie chickens. This seems tailored to suit Texas politicians and major oil and gas entities.” In February, similar actions affected the lesser prairie chicken, which also lost its endangered status.
Oil and gas companies have long cautioned that the 2024 restrictions, related to the lizard’s endangered status, could hinder project developments in the region. According to the wildlife service, new assessments on the lizard’s status are predicted within two years. The lizard’s endangered status was previously deliberated in 2012, but efforts to list the species failed following opposition from state officials and industry representatives.
This report was initially published by The Texas Tribune in collaboration with The Associated Press.