Commissioners Court - Regular Session

Issue viewing agenda items? Click here to switch to the old format.

Return to the Search Page Return to the Agenda

30.

Meeting Date:	01/31/2012
letters regarding emergency listing of Jollyville Plateau salamander
Submitted For:	Gary Boyd	Submitted By:	Gary Boyd, Parks
Department:	Parks
Agenda Category:	Regular Agenda Items

Information

Agenda Item

Discuss and take appropriate action on letters regarding emergency listing of the Jollyville Plateau salamander by the Us Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

Background

The action requested under this item is to approve sending two letters regarding potential emergency listing of the Jollyville Plateau salamander. The first letter is from the court to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for signature by the county judge and the second is a legal response by the Williamson County Conservation Foundation (WCCF) from counsel to a Notice of Intent (NOI) filed by groups requesting emergency listing for the Jollyville Plateau salamander.

Two environmental groups, the Center for Biological Diversity and Save Our Springs Alliance, are pressing, through a NOI, for emergency listing of the Jollyville Plateau salamander in an effort to stop the City of Austin’s construction of a new water treatment plant in northern Travis County. Listing of these species without adequate scientific knowledge about them today could result in severe economic consequences for Williamson County. A copy of the press release regarding this potential suit is attached as background.

Previously the USFWS entered an agreement with two organizations, the Center for Biological Diversity and WildEarth Guardians, to review the listing status of several species. A petition for emergency listing is an action that these groups agreed not to pursue under the terms of the agreement. Further, the County and the WCCF strongly believe that listing of these species is not warranted at this time. The threats, if they exist, are at most poorly understood and the Jollyville Plateau (and Georgetown salamander) benefit from numerous conserved habitat locations, including locations in preserved lands.

Additionally, the USFWS has notified the Save Our Springs Alliance and the Center for Biological Diversity that an initial review of their petition “does not indicate that an emergency situation exists.” Should an emergency petition be granted, this is an action that is not petitionable and such action would preclude local input on listing. (Copy of letter from FWS to SOS Alliance is attached.)

Under its current habitat conservation plan (HCP) Williamson County and the WCCF budgeted $250,000 over five years to study the Georgetown salamander. That study is five months into its second year. At its January meeting the WCCF committed to accelerate its Georgetown salamander research by authorizing the $150,000 of the remaining budget for that species. At the same time the WCCF authorized $250,000 of new research funds for the Jollyville Plateau salamander. Little is known about either species and these studies will enhance scientific information about the species’ population size, ecological requirements, breeding habits and specific habitat threats.

Support from affected communities and other Williamson County governmental entities will be sought regarding the county's letter, and, in the near future, on support for additional comments that the county and the WCCF may submit to the USFWS.
.
Additional information on the settlement agreements may be found at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/improving_ESA/joint_motion_re_settlement_approval_FILED.PDF and at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/improving_ESA/218962-v1-hhy_071211_joint_motion_re_CBD.PDF

Fiscal Impact

From/To	Acct No.	Description	Amount

Attachments
Court letter to FWS 1-31-12
Response to SOS CBD on NOI
SOS Petition - FWS response
JP petition news release

Form Review

Inbox	Reviewed By	Date
County Judge Exec Asst.	Wendy Coco	01/26/2012 02:02 PM
Form Started By: Gary Boyd		Started On: 01/25/2012 01:23 PM
Final Approval Date: 01/26/2012