Agave Status Reviewed

WASHINGTON (CN) - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has initiated a status review of the Agave eggersiana, a spiky perennial herb found only on the island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, under the Endangered Species Act.

The agency was first petitioned to list the agave by the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources. In 1998 the agency began a status review which became backlogged until 2004 when the Center for Biological Diversity filed suit against the agency for failing to complete the status review in one year as required by the ESA. In 2006 the agency concluded it did not have enough information to list the plant.

The Center for Biological Diversity challenged the agency's decision and the agency is now asking the public to submit comments regarding the lifecycle, geographic distribution and threats facing the Agave eggersiana.

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