The Center for Biological Diversity Files Lawsuit Over Endangered Species Act Protections for Berry Cave Salamander
The Center for Biological Diversity has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for its refusal to grant Endangered Species Act protections to the rare southern salamander, known as the Berry Cave Salamander.
Threats to the Berry Cave Salamander
The Berry Cave Salamander, measuring a little over 9 inches long, is only found in a few isolated caves, mostly in east Tennessee. However, its environment is being degraded by rapid growth, farm runoff, climate change, and contamination from old quarry mines.
Lawsuit Allegations
The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. It accuses the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of violating the Endangered Species Act and failing to consider available scientific data.
A petition to list the Berry Cave Salamander as an endangered or threatened species was submitted in 2003 but was not considered until 2010, after the Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit over the delay. Despite indications that the endangered species listing would be approved, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ultimately concluded that the salamander did not warrant protections.
Importance of Protecting the Berry Cave Salamander
The Berry Cave Salamander is a unique species found nowhere else on earth. Its populations are declining due to rapid development and climate change. Lis Rasheed, a senior associate attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center, which is representing the Center for Biological Services, stated, “This lawsuit seeks to correct an egregious error that puts this incredible salamander at even greater risk of extinction.”
Christine Schuldheisz, a spokesperson for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Quota System Allegations
The lawsuit alleges that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service made its decision to deny federal protections to the salamander during a period when its southeastern regional office had implemented an internal “quota” system. This system limited the number of species recognized as endangered.
Endangered Species Act Protections
Endangered species designations provide legal protections for plants and animals on the brink of extinction. These protections include:
- Prohibition on buying, selling, or removing endangered species
- Requirement for the federal government to develop a plan to restore their populations
- Protection of habitats that sustain endangered species
- Legal mechanism to challenge actions that could harm their environments
To read the full complaint filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, click here.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 15: Life on Land
The article discusses the Center for Biological Diversity’s lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the refusal to grant endangered species protections to the Berry Cave Salamander. This issue is directly related to SDG 15, which focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably managing forests, combating desertification, halting and reversing land degradation, and biodiversity loss.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
The article highlights the need for endangered species protections for the Berry Cave Salamander due to the degradation of its environment caused by rapid growth, farm runoff, climate change, and contamination from old quarry mines. Target 15.5 specifically addresses the need to take urgent action to protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species like the salamander.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index
The article mentions that the Berry Cave Salamander is found in only a handful of isolated caves, and its populations are dwindling in the face of rapid development and climate change. The Red List Index is a widely recognized indicator that measures the overall extinction risk of species and provides information on trends in biodiversity loss. Monitoring the Red List Index for the Berry Cave Salamander can help measure progress towards Target 15.5.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. | Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index |
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Fuente: tennesseelookout.com
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