WEST TEXAS - The US Fish and Wildlife Service has delayed its decision on the status of the Dunes Sagebrush lizard for six months.
Wildlife officials were set to decide if the lizard is endangered later this month.
The delay is to give more time for study and public comment.
West Texas leaders and oil and gas businesses are afraid listing the lizard as endangered will greatly limit where they will be able to drill in a large section of the Permian Basin.
The small lizard is found in at least six area counties in West Texas and Southeast New Mexico.
Environmental groups contend the lizard is endangered and only lives in small area of the Permian Basin. They say the listing would not greatly limit drilling areas.
