The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has until by October 2007 to decide whether a wildflower that grows exclusively near DeBeque warrants protection, according to a recently approved legal settlement.
The settlement stems from a federal lawsuit, filed last June by a coalition of environmental groups, to force the agency to declare the DeBeque milkvetch an endangered species.
The groups say the milkvetch, a white wildflower found within 30 miles of the town of DeBeque in Mesa County, is threatened by oil and gas development on the nearby Roan Plateau.
“This unique wildflower’s habitat is being impacted by oil and gas development right now, and more is on the way, so protections need to be put in place immediately,” said Dave Anderson, vice president of the Colorado Native Plant Society.
The groups, which include the Society and Center for Native Ecosystems, petitioned the wildlife service more than a year ago to list the wildflower as an endangered species.
Fish and Wildlife Service officials said at the time the petition was filed, they didn’t have the money to evaluate listing the wildflower.
Since then, the agency has had informal discussions with the federal Bureau of Land Management and energy companies about protecting the habitat for the milkvetch and other rare plants, said agency spokeswoman Diane Katzenberger.
“The BLM has committed to conducting a survey to avoid impacts to rare plants,” she said.
Last year, the Bureau of Land Management leased much of South Shale Ridge, which includes the wildflower’s habitat, for energy exploration.
“The service can’t sit on its hands any longer,” said Josh Pollock, conservation director for the Denver-based Center for Native Ecosystems. “Endangered Species Act protection is the best way to ensure that we don’t lose this rare native forever.”
Staff writer Kim McGuire can be reached at 303-954-1240 or at kmcguire@denverpost.com.
