Environmental groups and the Federal Government are once again at odds over protection of a Colorado species. On Thursday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced its plans to propose the Canada Lynx’s removal from “threatened” status under the Endangered Species Act. The cat historically lived in the mountains of Colorado, but it was driven out by the 1970s. It was reintroduced to the state in 1999. Populations have slowly increased to between 150 and 200 since then.
In its recommendationto de-list the species, the Fish and Wildlife service cites results of a study finding successful conservation efforts and downplaying the impacts of climate change.
But conservation groups instead point to a previous study suggesting the lynx could become extinct by the end of this century. An attorney for the Sierra Club says the decision is the product of the Trump administration’s desire to increase natural resource extraction in lynx habitat.
The Fish and Wildlife Service must go through a proposal and public comment process before it announces its final decision. Environmental groups plan to challenge the ruling in court.
