A Silver Lining: Interpreting the Endangered Species Act to envision management of the Rio Grande silvery minnow in a broader cultural, ecological, and political context

50 Pages Posted: 24 Feb 2025

See all articles by Katherine H. Tara

Katherine H. Tara

University of New Mexico - School of Law

Date Written: February 20, 2025

Abstract

The Rio Grande silvery minnow, listed as an endangered species in 1994, is the subject of significant debate, litigation, and water management decisions. This article documents the history of the minnow as it relates to the Endangered Species Act. Even as outcomes for the species fail to improve, the minnow plays an important role in Middle Rio Grande water management. The water supplied for the minnow also provides benefits to the human community and larger ecological community. This article posits that the next era of minnow management, beginning with the upcoming 2028 Biological Opinion, should consider a wider set of values, to provide benefits for both the Rio Grande silvery minnow and the larger Middle Rio Grande community.

Keywords: Endangered Species Act, Rio Grande silvery minnow, Middle Rio Grande, Rio Grande, Law Review, Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law

Suggested Citation

Tara, Katherine, A Silver Lining: Interpreting the Endangered Species Act to envision management of the Rio Grande silvery minnow in a broader cultural, ecological, and political context (February 20, 2025). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5146675 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5146675

Katherine Tara (Contact Author)

University of New Mexico - School of Law ( email )

1117 Stanford N.E.
Albuquerque, NM 87131
United States

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