Enviros have won a big court case that could lead to the protection of more than 200 miles of streams in Arizona and New Mexico from mining, grazing, and development. A federal judge ruled that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must designate critical habitat for two federally listed endangered minnow species within five months. Meanwhile, Congress is butting into controversy surrounding another minnow species: A bill crafted by two New Mexico Republicans, Sen. Pete Domenici and Rep. Joe Skeen, would place limits on water used to protect the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow. The measure, which passed the House on Monday, would ensure that New Mexico water law takes precedence over decisions made by the feds to implement the Endangered Species Act.
