For Immediate Release: December 19, 2008

Today, four conservation organizations concerned about the fate of the endangered Florida manatee formally petitioned the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to revise the manatee’s federal “critical habitat” designations.  Since the original critical habitat designations were made more than 30 years ago, much has been learned about manatee biology and habitat needs, and designations of critical habitat should reflect the best available science.  The groups submitting the petition are Save the Manatee Club, the nation’s preeminent manatee conservation organization; the Wildlife Advocacy Project; the Center for Biological Diversity; and Defenders of Wildlife. 

Under the federal Endangered Species Act (“ESA”), it is unlawful for any federal agency to take or authorize an action that causes the “destruction or adverse modification” of habitat that the FWS determines to be “critical” to the survival and recovery of an endangered species.  Critical habitat for the manatee was designated in 1976, but extensive scientific information compiled during the last several decades on the biology, ecology, distribution, and behavior of manatees leaves no doubt that the current designation is sorely in need of updating and revision.  The FWS itself has repeatedly called for this common-sense action, including in their official Recovery Plan for the manatee.  Accordingly, the comprehensive petition being submitted today will afford the agency the opportunity to do that which it has long recognized as legally and biologically necessary for the survival and conservation of manatees. 

The ESA requires the FWS, within 90 days after receiving a petition to revise critical habitat, to determine whether the petition “presents substantial scientific information indicating that the revision may be warranted.”  If that determination is made, then the agency must, before making any revision, embark on an extensive public process, including the solicitation of comments from the public and state and local officials. 

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