Portland, OR - A coalition of conservation groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity, the Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC), and several Audubon Society chapters, filed a motion on Monday, July 22 to intervene in a federal lawsuit that seeks to overturn protection for the 'Critical Habitat' of the western snowy plover.

Over 210 miles of the Washington, Oregon, and California coastlines were designated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as 'critical habitat' for the plover in December of 1999. Critical Habitat designation under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) precludes federal agencies from granting permits or funding projects that would destroy or adversely modify the habitat.

In May of this year, the Pacific Legal Foundation, an industry funded legal group, filed a lawsuit on behalf of Coos County, Oregon in Federal District Court that seeks to strip away Critical Habitat protection for the plover. Conservation groups are concerned because the Bush Administration has settled a series of similar lawsuits that industry groups have brought to weaken wildlife and environmental protections.

"We have moved to intervene to ensure the plover habitat is vigorously defended. Unfortunately, we cannot rely on the current Administration to uphold or defend wildlife and environmental regulations," Peter Galvin, Conservation Biologist with the Center for Biological Diversity, stated.

The plover is threatened by coastal development, unleashed dogs in nesting areas, and beach driving as well as coastal pollution and other factors. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates there are less than 2,000 western snowy plovers remaining today. Plover numbers have declined dramatically in the past twenty years, and without the critical habitat protections of the ESA, conservationists are concerned the species will be driven extinct.

Cynthia Elkins, Programs Director for EPIC, stated, "The plover needs all the help it can get to survive. Gutting habitat protections for this species would be a huge step in the wrong direction."

Galvin added, " Without habitat protection the plover will go extinct. We owe to our children and their children not to let that happen."

The conservation groups are represented by Geoff Hickcox of Kenna and Hickcox (Durango, Co) Larry Silver (Mill Valley, Ca) and Marianne Dugan (Eugene, Oregon)