MIDLAND, Texas — Former Midland City Councilman Kevin Sparks, now turned State Senator, is showing his opposition to the dunes sagebrush lizard being listed as endangered.
Senator Sparks wrote a letter to the director of US Fish and Wildlife.
The letter said: "While we acknowledge the importance of species conservation, we believe it's imperative that your agency consider the far-reaching implication of this listing, on sectors of the oil and gas industry, which contributes to both Texas U.S. economies."
The letter also said there's no reliable evidence that proves drilling influences the change in climate conditions in the Permian Basin, and that much evidence proves the opposite.
Sparks claims that there's no evidence as to whether frac-sand mining affects the lizard's population.