Lincoln, Nebraska – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service yesterday proposed protecting the highly endangered Salt Creek tiger beetle and its dwindling wetland habitat near Lincoln, Nebraska.

"Unmanaged growth across the Lincoln area is taking a severe toll on open space, wildlife habitat, and clean water," explained Erin Robertson, Staff Biologist for Center for Native Ecosystems. "Water quality, the health of our communities, and native wildlife are all suffering as a result."

The Service proposed to list the Salt Creek tiger beetle as an "endangered" species because it has suffered such severe habitat loss and population declines. Found only along limited segments of Little Salt Creek and adjacent remnant salt marshes, half of the populations known in 1991 have already been extirpated. Only three populations are known to survive, and the total number of individuals is believed to be in the hundreds.

"This native species is one of the most endangered in the country," said Erik Molvar, Wildlife Biologist for Biodiversity Conservation Alliance. "Endangered Species Act protection is the only thing that will require the federal government to protect these wetlands."