Rosenberg said the agencies had not decided what action to take in response to the report. They are under pressure to decide quickly, however, because they must file a brief by Friday in response to a lawsuit brought by a coalition of environmental organizations. The lawsuit charges that the agencies were wrong not to list the salmon as endangered and have not done enough to protect them. Maine authorities have questioned the whole basis of the lawsuit and the proposed listing, pointing out that Atlantic salmon are not threatened as a species, only as wild populations in these particular rivers. Salmon tend to return to spawn in the river in which they were born, and supporters of a listing say that has led to distinct genetic strains in each river.
Opponents argue that all species of animals vary somewhat throughout their range.
Augusta mice are probably genetically distinct from Boston mice, King said. He said that does not mean Augusta mice should be protected as a separate species. Until now, he said, the state has made a good faith effort to satisfy federal regulators without pressing them on the genetic issue. If the salmon are proposed for listing, however, he said it would be in the state s best interests to make those arguments with the agencies administration and, if necessary, in court. Inc. Reproduction without permission is strictly forbidden.