Endangered Species Act (ESA) Access Required

USFWS Lists Dunes Sagebrush Lizard Listed as Endangered

Written By

Matt McMillan

Natural Resources Director • Austin

Matt McMillan

Matt McMillan is the Natural Resources Director in SWCA’s Austin office. A biologist and herpetologist with 23 years of experience in natural resource studies throughout the southwest United States, providing technical expertise on threatened and endangered species as well as surveys and habitat assessments, aquatic resource surveys, delineations, and Clean Water Act permitting, vegetation sampling, habitat restoration, and ecological monitoring. He also has conducted wetland delineations, wetland qualitative assessments, ordinary high water mark delineations, and vegetation sampling throughout New Mexico as well as in Oklahoma and Texas. Mr. McMillan works with clients to identify, develop, and monitor ecological parameters and provide environmental compliance surveys prior to, during, and post-construction of project development. He has written BAs, BEs, wetland delineations, and other resource reports for private, federal, state, and local clients in support of consultations with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Reclamation, and state and local agencies. He has worked on threatened and endangered species matters in riparian systems on the Rio Grande, Canadian, and Gila Rivers in New Mexico and Pecos River in New Mexico and Texas for a variety of clients including the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission, New Mexico Department of Transportation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Mr. McMillan has worked in the Chihuahuan, Sonoran, and Mojave Deserts on the systematics, biogeography, and conservation biology of reptiles and specifically population monitoring of rattlesnakes and desert tortoises. Mr. McMillan has worked under USFWS 10(a)1(A) permits to handle, bleed, and rehydrate tortoises in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. He is currently permitted to handle federal and state threatened and endangered amphibians and reptiles including the Chiricahua leopard frog, Jemez Mountains salamander, dunes sagebrush lizard, narrow-headed gartersnake, and Mexican gartersnake. He is also permitted to handle federal and state threatened and endangered fishes including the Rio Grande silvery minnow, loach minnow, and spikedace.

Posted

May 28, 2024

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What Happened

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed the dune sagebrush lizard (DSL) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This final rule and “endangered” listing status will be in effect June 20, 2024. The USFWS did not designate critical habitat at this time but indicated a proposed rule to designate critical habitat is forthcoming within the next year. The USFWS identified habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation particularly from oil and gas exploration and frac sand mining as the primary threats to the DSL. USFWS identified climate change and extreme drought as factors that compound the primary threats of habitat loss and fragmentation.

SWCA Lens

SWCA can help you understand whether and how the DSL listing may affect project planning, approvals, or implementation. We can also help you identify ESA compliance options that best meet your circumstances and priorities. Whether you are currently enrolled or considering enrollment in a voluntary conservation plan, SWCA has expert understanding of the DSL and voluntary conservation agreements. With state-permitted, Qualified DSL Biologists in New Mexico and Texas, we have significant experience designing and performing DSL surveys. Our team has developed DSL-specific survey protocols that have been incorporated into DSL best management practices and…

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