Center Gains Protected Status for Florida Scrub Jay

MAELC represents the Sierra Club and the Florida Native Plant Society in their efforts to add the Florida scrub jay to the federal endangered species list. In March 2004, MAELC filed suit against U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for its failure to perform its mandatory duty under Section 4 of the Endangered Species Act. In October 2004, we filed a Motion for Summary Judgment on all counts. A court-approved settlement has been reached, in which the Center gained for our clients a date certain for the review of the Scrub Jay listing petition. The Service must make a 90-day finding by January 15, 2006 and a final determination on the bird's status on January 15, 2007.