美国鱼类和野生动物管理局与德州司法部长肯·帕克斯顿达成和解，撤销了对沙漠鼠尾草蜥蜴的联邦濒危物种保护分类。[1]这条体长约2.5英寸的蜥蜴原产于美国二叠纪盆地，曾在2024年由拜登政府指定为濒危物种。[1]帕克斯顿声称该决定未基于最佳科学数据，因此提起诉讼，双方于2025年7月21日达成和解协议。[1]
根据和解条款，鱼类和野生动物管理局将重新评估该物种的保护状态，新的评估预计在和解后两年内完成。[1]帕克斯顿在声明中表示："德州、其人民和其产业不应该在鱼类和野生动物管理局进一步评估该物种状况期间承受非法规则的影响。"[1]2012年曾有类似的濒危物种保护提议被拒绝。[1]
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has rescinded federal endangered species protection for the dunes sagebrush lizard following a settlement with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton [1]. The agency had designated the species as endangered in 2024 under the Biden administration, but Paxton challenged the decision, arguing it was not based on the best available science [1].
A settlement agreement reached on July 21, 2025, requires the Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct a reassessment of the lizard's status [1]. The dunes sagebrush lizard, which measures approximately 2.5 inches in length and is native to the Permian Basin in Texas, will no longer receive federal protection during this evaluation period [1]. Paxton stated that "Texas, its people, and its industries should not suffer the impacts of an unlawful rule while the Fish and Wildlife Service further evaluates the status of this species" [1]. The agency is expected to complete its new assessment within two years following the settlement [1]. A similar proposal to protect the species had been rejected in 2012 [1].