"U.S. Commits To Protecting Loggerhead Sea Turtle Habitat By 2014"

"The Obama administration has agreed by July 1 to map out areas to protect nesting beaches for endangered loggerhead sea turtles as part of a legal settlement with conservation groups."

"The U.S. Department of Commerce agreed to the deadline for a preliminary proposal on the critical habitat of loggerheads in the U.S. Atlantic and Pacific oceans and in the Gulf of Mexico, under an agreement filed on Thursday in U.S. District Court in California.

Three environmental groups sued the government in January, accusing it violating the Endangered Species Act by failing to take steps to ensure survival of loggerhead turtles."

David Adams reports for Reuters May 6, 2013.