Fish and Wildlife Services follows science, declines to place sagebrush lizard on Endangered Species List
Environmentalists sought listing to thwart energy development in West Texas
WASHINGTON – The nation’s largest grassroots advocate of rational environmental policy applauds today’s announcement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that it will not place the dunes sagebrush lizard on the so-called “Endangered Species List.”
“This is a victory for science, energy jobs and Texas,” said American Tradition Partnership Executive Director Donald Ferguson, a native Texan. “Texans refuse to have their jobs and childrens’ futures stolen by these out-of-touch lizardlickers. God bless Texas and keep on drilling.”
Had the lizard been listed it would have potentially thwarted energy development and economic growth in West Texas and eastern New Mexico. Scientific studies by Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University backed up science, showing the lizard was not endangered. Environmentalist groups continued to push for the erroneous listing, pointing out they would use it to shut down energy development.
“Texans especially owe a debt of gratitude to Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, who led the fight against what he calls ‘reptile dysfunction,’” said Ferguson. “Commissioner Patterson, and ATP, will continue to fight ongoing efforts to block energy development using bogus listings. These groups, often funded by the government itself, are exploiting a flawed Endangered Species Act to seek bogus listings and use that to attack anything that spreads jobs or prosperity. We’re going to cut that off, and unlike a lizard’s tail, it won’t grow back.”
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