When & Why

Download the Pallid Sturgeon Petition (Adobe PDF, 2.95mB)

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received a petition to the list the pallid sturgeon as endangered in May 1988 from the Dacotah Chapter of the Sierra Club.  The word ‘petition’ as used in the Endangered Species Act refers to a written request to list a species that is supported with scientific facts.  The petition may be submitted by an indiviudal, an organization or an agency.  

After receipt of the petition the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service undertook a status review of the pallid sturgeon.  The information regarding the species was evaluated in light of the five listing criteria found in the Endangered Species Act.  Based upon this analysis the pallid sturgeon was listed as endangered on September 6, 1990.