Researchers look for rare butterfly that could block freeway project

The University of Nevada, Reno team is working under a $100,000 contract from the state Department of Transportation, which wants to learn where the Carson Wandering Skipper lives and whether it should be considered an endangered species.

The butterfly's primary habitat is believed to be a patch of wetlands in Carson City - directly in the path of a planned $230 million U.S. Highway 395 freeway bypass.

Researchers also are looking for the butterfly in 20 to 30 other wetlands along the eastern Sierra from Susanville, Calif., to Mammoth Lakes, Calif.

If the count fails to produce the expected numbers, it could cause another delay in the bypass project.

But if substantial numbers are found elsewhere, the Carson City habitat would become less significant and therefore expendable, researchers said.

In Carson City, the UNR team plans to develop a conservation plan for the species that would allow it and the freeway to coexist.

"We can have the butterfly and we can have the bypass, too," said research team leader Peter Brussard, chair of UNR's biodiversity department.

NDOT officials said they want to work to protect the species now rather than face bypass delays or stiff sanctions for damaging its habitat later.

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