Current work in wildlife, rivers, public lands, and climate

Thursday, June 3, 2010
Rare Southwestern Thistle Retains Protection

WildEarth Guardians Applauds Government Decision
Contact: Nicole Rosmarino (505) 699-7404

Albuquerque, NM-June 3. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), declining multiple requests from Otero County, decided yesterday not to remove Endangered Species Act protections for the Sacramento Mountains Thistle. WildEarth Guardians applauded the decision, which will mean continued protections for this rare thistle that grows only in wetlands in southeastern New Mexico’s Sacramento Mountains.

“The Sacramento Mountains thistle needs the safety net the Endangered Species Act provides. Without federal protection, it would have no defense from cattle grazing and trampling and water diversions,” stated Nicole Rosmarino of WildEarth Guardians.

WildEarth Guardians has long advocated for protection of the species from threats, most recently submitting technical comments during a formal comment period in December 2008. The group urged FWS to reject two petitions from Otero County (New Mexico) to remove federal protection for the endangered plant. In yesterday’s decision, FWS found that the thistle remains imperiled by multiple threats, including livestock grazing, drought, and insect predation.

The thistle is one of a suite of imperiled species in the Sacramento Mountains of New Mexico, alongside the Sacramento Prickly Poppy, Sacramento Mountains Checkerspot Butterfly, Mexican Spotted Owl, and New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse. All of these species are found on the Lincoln National Forest, and each is harmed by continued public lands ranching.

In particular, the Lincoln’s sprawling Sacramento Allotment, which measures over 111,000 acres, contains habitat for all of these species but has been subjected to chronic abuse by cattle. In its finding yesterday, FWS found that livestock are a threat to the thistle, given continued livestock mismanagement on the Lincoln, and the failure of the U.S. Forest Service to rein in this threat.

“The Forest Service is allowing the Sacramento Allotment – a gem of the southwest – to be turned to rubble by livestock. It’s time to remove cows from this special place, and allow this suite of imperiled species some breathing room,” stated Rosmarino.

WildEarth Guardians protects and restores the wildlife, wild places and wild rivers of the American West. The group advocates federal protection for imperiled plants and wildlife and also seeks to eliminate harmful effects from livestock grazing on public lands.