At its June 15 board meeting, the WCCF voted to recommend this research proposal and work authorization in continuation of research activities on the Georgetown salamander. This proposal covers the second year of research as outline below. Funds will come from WCCF reserves.
As a part of the Habitat Conservation Plan, the WCCF is committed to a five-year research and monitoring project that focuses on better delineating the range of the Georgetown salamander (Eurycea naufragia), gathering baseline data on water quality and quantity at salamander spring sites, and monitoring salamander presence/abundance at selected spring sites. After completion of the first two years of the program, a status review will be prepared describing an appropriate conservation strategy for the species. Water quality monitoring and salamander presence/abundance monitoring will continue through Year 6 of the plan. At the end of the five-year research and monitoring program, if the Georgetown salamander is still a candidate species, the Foundation will investigate the feasibility of developing a Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances.
A Candidate Conservation Agreement with the US Fish and Wildlife Service provides for an agreed upon plan to keep the subject species from being listed as endangered.
Dr. Ben Pierce, Professor and holder of the Lillian Nelson Pratt Chair, Department of Biology, Southwestern University (SWU), will be the lead researcher for this project. Dr. Pierce will be assisted by SWCA Environmental Consultants and by senior level students from the SWU biology department.
A copy of the Proposal is attached. |