News From…
Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California
Cardoza Opposes Listing California Tiger Salamander As Threatened Species |
||
Lawmaker Will Hold Meeting On Sept. 12, Urges Public To Send Comments By Sept. 22 |
 |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 9, 2003 |
CONTACT: Bret Ladine (202) 225-6131 |
| WASHINGTON – Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, strongly opposes the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s proposed listing of the California Tiger Salamander as a threatened species and will co-host a meeting on the issue Sept. 12, 2003 at 3:00 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors’ Chambers at 2222 M Street in Merced.
The purpose of the meeting, which will also be co-hosted by Merced County Supervisor Kathleen Crookham, is to provide information about the potential impacts of the listing and to encourage individuals to submit written comments to the Service. Among Cardoza’s concerns about the proposal: · The Service does not have actual population information for the California Tiger Salamander and is instead relying upon loss of habitat as a surrogate for actual population numbers. · The California Fish and Game Commission recently rejected a virtually identical proposal based upon insufficient scientific data. Since that time there has been no new scientific data that would support a proposed listing. · The Service has not provided sufficient weight to the various programs, public policies, and regulatory programs that already provide protection to the salamander, including the California Endangered Species Act and land preservation programs. Regardless of whether interested parties attend the meeting, Cardoza is urging them to send written comments to the Service expressing their views on the proposed listing. Written comments must be received by Sept. 22, 2003 at: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Sacramento Fish & Wildlife Service Office 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-2605 Sacramento, CA 95825 Comments may also be submitted electronically to catiger@R1.fws.gov |
###
