Legislation proposed to keep salamanders off endangered list – via Herp Digest

Story based on TV story on KVUE in Texas done by Jessica Vess. Video of it can be found at    http://www.kvue.com/news/salamander-159400035.html

Editor-The Congressman did introduce the bill

by Jessica Vess , June 18, 2012- WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas -- The fight is picking up to keep salamanders across Central Texas off a federally protected list.

Currently the U.S. Fish and Wildlife is considering keeping these animals on an endangered species list. Doing so would enforce strict federal guidelines for any future development around the salamanders’ habitat.
 
Congressman John Carter says it's not needed. Williamson County already has a task force and a five-year study underway to monitor and protect the salamanders. Carter cited the thriving population of the Jollyville salamander as proof that current efforts are effective.
 
“The [Jollyville] salamander continues to exist right here, under [SH 45], right in that stream,” said Williamson County Commissioner and member of the Salamander Task Force Valerie Covey. “There are about 93 known locations for just the Jollyville salamander alone. Over 80 of those areas are already in preserved areas. So you have to ask 'how endangered are they?'”
 
The Jollyville salamander lives in the creek below the SH 45 toll road. There's not much water flowing in the creek but local, county and state leaders say science is proving it's enough.
 
Covey and other county leaders say recent studies show the construction of SH 45 around the creek did not threaten the salamander's existence. Covey said numerous protection plans in place on the local and county levels have ensured the animal’s survival.
 
The legislation that Congressman Carter will present to the Interior and Environment Appropriations Committee blocks federal funding under the Endangered Species Act for the Jollyville Plateau, Austin Blind, Salado and Georgetown salamanders. Carter wants to wait until Williamson County's current five-year study on the salamander is complete before a decision is made. The study is currently in its second year.
 
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is scheduled to make a decision in September. The passing of Carter’s bill could delay the vote.