PETITION TO LIST THE JEMEZ MOUNTAINS SALAMANDER ...

WildEarth Guardians Petition to List
Jemez Mountains Salamander Under the ESA
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“Threatened species” means a species that “is likely to become an
endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a
significant portion of its range” (16 U.S.C § 1532(20)).
424.11(c) “A species shall be listed…because of any one or a combination
of the following factors:
1. The present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of
habitat or range;
2. Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational
purposes;
3. Disease or predation;
4. The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; and
5. Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence.”
All of the factors under 50 C.F.R. § 424.11(c) and ESA Section 4 (16 U.S.C. §
1533(a)(1)) have threatened or may threaten the persistence of the Jemez Mountains
salamander. Disease (factor 3) has not currently been shown to have caused mortality in
this species but there is a threat of a mass mortality event if a known pathogen continues
to be found with Jemez Mountains salamander populations and its habitat.
Petitioner
WildEarth Guardians is a non-profit environmental organization whose mission is to
protect and restore wildlife, wild places, and wild rivers in the American West. In
fulfilling this mission, WildEarth Guardians has worked to conserve species that face
high levels of imperilment, especially those who play important umbrella and keystone
functions within their ranges. The Jemez Mountains salamander is one such species. As
an amphibian this species is sensitive to environmental changes. This characteristic of
amphibians makes them particularly valuable as indicator species, especially as studies
have shown that survival of many amphibian species are strongly dependent upon factors
that can be influenced by human activities (Frisbie and Wyman 1991; Blaustein et al.
1994; Blaustein and Wake 1995; Sugalski and Claussen 1997; Demaynadier and Hunter
1998). Because of their abundance, total biomass and role in food chains, amphibians are
ecological significant members of their communities (Griffiths 1996). The Jemez
Mountains salamander is therefore a high priority species for WildEarth Guardians.
Prior History of Species Under ESA
Dr. James R. Dixon petitioned the Jemez Mountains salamander for listing under the
ESA on February 13, 1990. Dixon’s petition pointed to threats to the salamander
including: low population numbers; increasing logging; soil disturbance, dessication, and
erosion; and threats from a proposed mine expansion. On July 30, 1990, FWS issued a
positive 90-day finding (55 FR 38342). However, on February 11, 1992, FWS decided
that the salamander did not warrant ESA listing. Its decision was based on the 1991 MOA
which, the FWS asserted, removed the threat of habitat destruction and the future Jemez