Two Butterflies and the ESA

Posted by Dawn M. Smith Apr 6, 2008

With the finding that the El Segundo Blue Butterfly is recovering, thanks to protection under the Endangered Species Act, it would seem logical that another tiny butterfly would be afforded similar protection. But the Sand Mountain Blue, which also survives in a very small range with threats from human activities destroying its habitat, won’t be listed as either threatened or endangered.

The El Segundo blue has recolonized an area where dune restoration has brought back its sole food source, seacliff buckwheat along with other native dune species, ensuring a healthy habitat for more species than just the butterfly.

Meanwhile, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), which oversees the implementation of the Endangered Species Act, has decided that the Sand Mountain blue butterfly does not need to be listed. In the latest survey of its habitat, more butterflies were found than were expected. Some of the critical habitat for the butterfly has been fenced off from the activities of off road vehicles(ORV) in the Sand Mountain Recreation Area.

But conservationists claim that more than half of the butterfly’s habitat has been destroyed by ORV activities. The concern is that the butterfly is being restricted to an area that is too restricted.. Endangered status would ensure that multiple sites were protected. If disaster struck one area, there would still be viable habitat.

At a time when we are trying to reduce carbon emissions to limit the impact of climate change, why is the US government prioritizing gas powered recreation over habitat protection?