By KRWG News
New Mexico – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says it will review the status of more than a dozen Southwestern plants and animals that are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act.
The agency said Monday it is doing a five-year status review on the species to ensure their classification as threatened or endangered is accurate. The review will result in a recommendation, and any changes must undergo a full rulemaking process.
Up for review: the whooping crane, northern aplomado falcon, four fish including the Rio Grande silvery minnow, a vole found only in Arizona, a New Mexico snail, three Texas wildflowers and three cactuses.
The agency says it expects to complete the reviews by the end of fiscal year 2011.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.