Cornyn: Latest FWS Salamander Decision To Halt Economic Activity

Press Release

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) issued the following statement after the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced it would list the Georgetown and Salado salamanders as threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The FWS also announced a special rule that is expected to take a year to go into effect, and in the meantime, economic activities in the Central Texas region are in jeopardy, despite the intense efforts of local officials and businesses to protect the salamanders.

"If there's any question the Obama Administration is targeting Texas in its unprecedented acts of government overreach, we need only look at this latest irresponsible ESA listing, which is supported by questionable science and ignores the input and conservation efforts of the Central Texans who will be directly impacted.

"Listing these salamanders is a serious blow to job growth and economic development in the region, particularly where a lack of clarity in the final special rule could leave development projects in limbo for a year."

Sen. Cornyn introduced an amendment to reduce funding for FWS listing activities to help halt the premature proposed listing of these salamanders. He also introduced the Endangered Species Act Settlement Reform Act, to give impacted local parties a say in the settlement of ESA litigation between special interest groups and the FWS.
Previously, Sen. Cornyn and U.S. Representative John Carter (R-TX) sent a letter to Fish and Wildlife Regional Director Ben Tuggle asking the FWS to consider all relevant and reliable information before making a final determination.

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