Court victory greets returning plovers

Summary:
•A federal judge today ruled in favor of designating critical habitat areas for the wintering piping plover in North Carolina in compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
•Defenders of Wildlife and the National Audubon Society, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, intervened in the case on behalf of the Interior Department and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
•The piping plover has been listed as a threatened species under the ESA since 1986. The beaches of North Carolina play a vital role in all stages of their life cycle.
The following are statements from Defenders of Wildlife, the National Audubon Society and the Southern Environmental Law Center:
“Cape Hatteras is unique. It’s one of the few places on the east coast that hosts piping plover activity all year round,” said Jason Rylander, staff attorney for Defenders of Wildlife. “Critical habitat designation will provide a crucial, additional layer of protection throughout the year.”

“This is a great victory for piping plovers and reaffirms the importance of Cape Hatteras National Seashore for this threatened species.” said Walker Golder, deputy director of Audubon North Carolina.
“The decision completely affirms the Fish and Wildlife Service’s efforts to designate habitat necessary for recovery of the piping plover,” said Julie Youngman, senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center. “The additional legal protection for this threatened species comes at a critical time for its survival.”
Please see attachment for Judge Lamberth’s opinion.