[Harmless Teddy Bear]

A federal district court "ruled the FWS could not obtain 'regulatory jurisdiction' unless the species, in fact, existed.

I don't know why this statement should blow my mind but it does.

Was some one honestly arguing otherwise?

[grey_whiskers]

A federal district court "ruled the FWS could not obtain 'regulatory jurisdiction' unless the species, in fact, existed.

Re-reading your comments, and then the article, I came across this gem:

and Sonoran chub, a small fish endemic to the Sonoran Desert.

Speaking as a lay person, this smells like a fish tale to me.
I mean, really. Fish? In a desert? /grin

Cheers!