Action timeline

April 23, 2004 – The Center and allies filed a petition to list the Sand Mountain blue butterfly as a threatened or endangered species. The Center also sought a critical habitat designation for the species.

January 5, 2006 – When the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service failed to respond to the Center's initial petition, the Center filed another suit against the Service for violating the Endangered Species Act. The Service determined that sufficient scientific data existed to justify a formal review of the Sand Mountain blue butterfly.

March 15, 2007 – The Bureau of Land Management announced emergency closure of 3,985 acres of public land in and adjacent to the Sand Mountain Recreation Area to off-road vehicles to protect Sand Mountain blue butterflies. The Bush administration denied endangered species protection for the butterfly.

Photo courtesy of Carson City BLM Field Office