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Every 2 years, the New Mexico Game & Fish Department (NMDGF) reviews the state list of threatened and endangered species. This report was submitted as WildEarth Guardians' comments on the preliminary draft biennial review and recommendations The NMDGF solicits comments only on upgrading a threatened species to endangered status or downgrading an endangered species to threatened status as part of this process. Additions and removals from the list are addressed through a separate mechanism. However, the present state list of threatened and endangered species is so incomplete that we feel compelled to comment on the numerous omissions in the present list. In addition, for most of the species listed at the state level - despite their critical imperilment - the state has not provided any discussion of needed conservation measures. For the taxa accounts which include conservation measures, descriptions of these measures are generally far too vague to provide adequate guidance for species conservation. Under the Bush Administration, the federal endangered species program is faltering. President George W. Bush has made his mark as the only president under whom not one taxon has been listed on the initiative of the administration. All listings under George W. Bush have occurred as the result of court-orders. Only 7-8 species have been listed since George W. Bush has been in office, the lowest under any president since the Endangered Species Act was passed. Contrast this with an average of 65 species per year under Bill Clinton and 59 species per year under George H.W. Bush. The federal administration's non-enforcement and sabotage of the federal Endangered Species Act underscores the urgency of a rigorous and effective species conservation program at the state level. Significant improvements, both in terms of taxa covered and conservation measures included, are required in New Mexico's program. Read the full report (PDF) 7/5/06 |
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