ARIZONA DAILY STAR: Fri., March 16, 2007
Binational pygmy owl protection is sought
By Tony Davis
After a federal judge upheld removal of the pygmy owl from the endangered species list, environmentalists are now asking the U.S. government to classify the bird as endangered in both Arizona and northern Mexico.
Two groups, Defenders of Wildlife and the Center for Biological Diversity, filed their petition Thursday with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The environmental groups are trying to get around a common argument made by critics that it made no sense to protect cactus ferruginous pygmy owls living in Southern Arizona when the species is far more abundant in Mexico.
Last week, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton of Phoenix dismissed a lawsuit challenging the wildlife service's April 2006 decision to delist the pygmy owl. That suit had been filed by the two environmental groups. B olton concluded that contrary to environmentalists' claims, the service had not disregarded and ignored scientific researchers and its own staff scientists in deciding to remove the owl from the list. The judge sided with the service that the loss of Arizona owls would not significantly reduce the range of the entire species, which also lives in South Texas and eastern and western Mexico.
Norm James, a Phoenix attorney for the home builders, said the owl appears to be more widespread in Arizona than when it was listed as endangered a decade ago.
"We've been mired in this argument for 10 years. It's time for everyone to concede that there is no environmental benefit to the listing, and I am glad the court concurred," said National Association of Home Builders President Brian Catalde.
FULL STORY: http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/173840