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Coalition Challenges Ginny's Delisting!

60 Day Notice Filed April First!

For Immediate Release

April 1, 2009

Contact:
Christopher Lancette, The Wilderness Society (202) 429-2692
Judy Rodd, Friends of Blackwater, (304) 345-7663

Flying squirrel: Bush’s prank still not funny
Environmental groups call on Obama to restore protection for endangered species

WASHINGTON – George Bush has been out of office for more than two months on this April Fool’s Day – but the West Virginia northern flying squirrel certainly isn’t laughing at the pranks the former president pulled. His administration removed the charismatic squirrel from the endangered species list last August, leaving the loveable rodent hanging in, well, mid air.

Fortunately for the poster critter of the state’s mountaintop forests, a coalition of West Virginia and national environmental organizations today extended an olive branch – filing a formal notice of intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over its decision to remove the squirrel’s protection. This gives the Obama administration 60 days to right Bush’s wrong and avoid needless litigation.

Click here to read the Press Release in its entirety..

Click here to read the 60-day Notice.

Click here for attachments.

Click here for videos of Flying Squirrels

Click here to watch Judy Rodd's Congressional Testimony.

On Tuesday August 26, 2008 the US Fish and Wildlife Service issued its final decision regarding the removal of Endangered Species Act Protections from the West Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel. The final decision appeared in the federal register on that day though the media and some groups were notified on Monday August 25, 2008. Click here to read the Rule as it appeared in the Federal Register.