Action timeline

November 15, 1994 – The Comal Springs riffle beetle, Comal Springs dryopid beetle and Peck's cave amphipod became candidates for listing in a notice of review.

June 5, 1995 – The Comal Springs riffle beetle, Comal Springs dryopid beetle and Peck's cave amphipod were proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act.

December 18, 1997 – After three years in limbo, the Comal Springs riffle beetle, Comal Springs dryopid beetle and Peck's cave amphipod were listed as endangered. They were granted no critical habitat.

November 17, 2003 – The Center sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to force critical habitat designation.

August 16, 2007 – A tiny area of central Texas, amounting to less than 40 acres, was designated as critical habitat for the Comal Springs riffle beetle as part of a decision ordered by disgraced former Interior official Julie MacDonald.

August 28, 2007 – The Center filed a notice of intent to sue the Department of the Interior for political interference with 55 imperiled species in 28 states, including the Comal Springs riffle beetle. The notice specifically advocated for more critical habitat for the beetle.

January 14, 2009 – The Center sued the Bush administration to earn adequate critical habitat for the Comal Springs riffle beetle, Comal Springs dryopid beetle and Peck's cave amphipod.

December 18, 2009 – In response to the Center's suit, the Obama administration agreed to reconsider critical habitat designation for 12 endangered Texas invertebrates, including the Comal Springs dryopid beetle, Peck's cave amphipod and Comal Springs riffle beetle.

February 18, 2011 – The Obama administration proposed to set aside nearly 7,000 acres for this beetle and eight other Texas cave species.

February 13,  2012 –  In response to our lawsuit, the Fish and Wildlife Service finalized protection of 4,200 acres of critical habitat for nine rare, cave-dwelling invertebrates in Bexar County, Texas, including the Comal Springs riffle beetle.

October 18, 2012 – The Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to expand critical habitat protection for the Comal Springs dryopid beetle, Peck's cave amphipod and Comal Springs riffle beetle.

October 22, 2013 – The Service finalized critical habitat protection for the Comal Springs dryopid beetle, Peck's cave amphipod, and Comal Springs riffle beetle. The designation protects 169 acres of habitat for the cave-dwelling animals.

Photo by Joe N. Fries, USFWS