Ken Paxton sues Biden administration over listing Texas lizard as endangered
Ken Paxton sues Biden administration over listing Texas lizard as endangered The Texas Tribune
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Texas Attorney General Sues Biden Administration Over Endangered Lizard
Introduction
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Background
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Monday that his office is suing the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Biden administration officials for declaring the dunes sagebrush lizard endangered earlier this year.
The dunes sagebrush lizard is found in the Mescalero-Monahans ecosystem in West Texas, which is also home to the state’s largest oil and gas fields.
For the past four decades, biologists have been warning federal regulators about the threat posed by oil and gas exploration and development to the lizard’s habitat. However, industry representatives have fought against the endangered designation, claiming it would deter drilling companies in the lucrative Permian Basin.
In May, federal regulators ruled that the expansion of the oil and gas industry posed a significant threat to the lizard’s survival, leading to its endangered listing.
Texas Attorney General’s Lawsuit
Ken Paxton is now suing the Biden administration over the listing of the dunes sagebrush lizard as endangered. He claims that the administration’s actions are an attempt to undermine Texas’s oil and gas industries, which play a crucial role in powering the country.
Paxton argues that the listing of the lizard as endangered violates the Endangered Species Act. He alleges that the Fish and Wildlife Service did not rely on the best scientific and commercial data when making the decision and failed to consider existing conservation efforts.
Importance of the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard
The dunes sagebrush lizard is a small reptile, measuring only 2.5 inches long. It is found in just 4% of the Permian Basin, which spans Texas and New Mexico. In Texas, the lizard has been observed in Andrews, Crane, Gaines, Ward, and Winkler counties.
Impact on Oil and Gas Companies
The listing of the dunes sagebrush lizard as endangered requires oil and gas companies to avoid operating in areas where the lizard is found. However, the Fish and Wildlife Service has not yet determined the specific areas, as it is still gathering information.
Oil and gas companies could face fines up to $50,000 and prison time for violating the restrictions once the areas are identified.
Paxton’s office argues that the lack of clarity regarding the restricted areas has left operators and landowners uncertain about what they can do with their own land.
Conclusion
The lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against the Biden administration highlights the ongoing conflict between environmental conservation and the oil and gas industry. The case of the dunes sagebrush lizard serves as a reminder of the importance of balancing economic development with the preservation of endangered species and their habitats.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 15: Life on Land
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
- SDG 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
- SDG 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 15.5: Percentage of threatened species protected
- Indicator for SDG 12.4: Amount of hazardous waste generated and treated
- Indicator for SDG 13.3: Number of countries implementing education and awareness-raising programs on climate change
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. | Indicator: Percentage of threatened species protected |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment. | Indicator: Amount of hazardous waste generated and treated |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning. | Indicator: Number of countries implementing education and awareness-raising programs on climate change |
Source: texastribune.org
