A federal judge ruled that a U.S. Fish and Wildlife study on protection of the Delta Smelt was "sloppy science" -- the same thing we've been saying about their justification for trying to restrict interstate trade of pythons and boas.

From NYTimes.com:

"The public cannot afford sloppy science and uni-directional prescriptions that ignore California's water needs," the judge wrote, adding that the state Legislature had failed "to provide the means to assure an adequate water supply for both the humans and the species dependent on the delta."

Moreover, in a remarkable side note that cuts to the heart of the many stresses in the Northern California region, Wanger appeared to suggest he does not see a legal avenue for finding a solution for the many interests, farms, wildlife and urban consumers that rely on the delta's water.

"The law alone cannot afford protection to all the competing interests at stake in these cases," Wanger said.

He pushed the study back into the hands of U.S. Fish and Wildlife, who say it may take up to 9 months to edit and recompile the data.

This is something very important to all in the herp community, because it is a battle we may yet need to wage. With the push to pass S373 through during the lame duck congress, we need to be prepared for future battles.