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| Photo courtesy USFWS. This photo is available for media use. |
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice of intent today to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the agency’s failure to protect the MacGillivray’s seaside sparrow and the Florida Keys mole skink under the Endangered Species Act.
Both species are severely threatened by sea-level rise: The sparrow depends on marshes that are threatened by rising seas, while the mole skink is found only on Florida’s low-lying keys, at risk of inundation.
Driven by climate change, sea-level rise of three feet to six feet in Florida is highly likely within this century.
“Help can’t come too soon for the seaside sparrow, Florida Keys mole skink or many other plants and animals on our vulnerable coasts,” said Jaclyn Lopez, a Center attorney based in Florida.
Lawsuit Launched to Protect Coastal Florida Sparrow and Lizard Threatened by Sea-level Rise
