No, it's not a story about Glamis but it is a story involving a blow dealt to a Glamis enemy and continues to give us hope for the PMV delisting.

January 26, 2004
Jim Nickles, 916/414-6572
For Immediate Release

SERVICE DECIDES NOT TO LIST MIDVALLEY FAIRY SHRIMP
Surveys Will Collect More Information on Species' Health and Range

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it cannot conclude that the midvalley fairy shrimp is in need of Federal listing under the Endangered Species Act. The Service reached this conclusion after assessing the best scientific and commercial information available on the past, present, and future threats faced by this species. The small crustacean is found in shallow seasonal wetlands known as vernal pools in Sacramento, Solano, Contra Costa, San Joaquin, Merced, Madera, Fresno and Yolo counties in California's Central Valley.

Today's decision comes in response to a petition filed in August 2001 by the Center for Biological Diversity and VernalPools.Org to list the midvalley fairy shrimp as endangered. On April 29, 2003 the Service announced a 90 day finding that the petition presented substantial evidence to indicate that the listing may be warranted. Since then, the Service has conducted a detailed study known as a status review.

"The Service has commissioned new survey efforts and will continue to review any new information concerning the status of the midvalley fairy shrimp," said Wayne White, field supervisor of the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office. "The information will help us monitor and encourage the conservation of the species."

From what the Service knows of the current range and distribution of the species, the midvalley fairy shrimp is well represented on protected lands and in areas with little or no current threat. Additionally, existing regulatory mechanisms under the California Environmental Quality Act, the Clean Water Act, and the ESA -- while not directly applied to the midvalley fairy shrimp -- are likely to moderate the rate and extent of habitat loss for this species. As a result of these factors, the Service finds that the species is not in danger of extinction in the foreseeable future.

A complete description of the Service's finding on the midvalley fairy shrimp is published in today's Federal Register.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses 542 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.

SailAway, Slap is a little confused...Do the CBD and affiliating groups just pick out any species of animal or plant, make a claim that it needs to be protected, and then sue if it is not listed as an endangered species...?

Poor bugs, hav'n to listen to rock music. Where can I send my check?

according to daniel patterson of the cbd, "this is yet another right-wing bush administration attack against 'fairys'."

This is good news. One less thing for for to dig up in our riding areas.
Mike