Atlantic sturgeon closer to protected status
The Atlantic sturgeon is a step closer to getting federal listing as a threatened or endangered species.
The National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service announced Oct. 2 that they were initiating a "status review" to determine whether the sturgeon should receive protection under the Endangered Species Act.
The action stems from a petition filed with the agencies earlier this year by the Biodiversity Legal Foundation, a Colorado-based environmental group, which called on the agencies to consider listing the species because it was "seriously imperiled."
The decision by the agencies kicks off a process during which scientists will gather available information about the health of the population. The agencies must decide by June 2, 1998 - 12 months from the receipt of the petition - whether the species deserves listing.
Listing determinations must be made solely on the best scientific information available.
If they decide federal protection is warranted, the agencies will issue a proposed rule to list the species as either threatened or endangered. The rule would be open for comment for another year, after which a final decision would be made. That means the species could not be listed before the summer of 1999.
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Karl Blankenship is editor of the Bay Journal and Executive Director of Chesapeake Media Service. He has served as editor of the Bay Journal since its inception in 1991. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
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