Study Finds Texas Salamander(s) Endangered Status Doubtful 
Three species found to actually be just one   

(ROUND ROCK, TX) – Three Central Texas Salamanders have turned out to be just one in research findings presented to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) by the Texas Salamander Coalition (TSC), according to U.S. Rep. John Carter (R-TX31).

“This new data demonstrates precisely the need to postpone any decision on whether to add these salamanders to the endangered species list until we have completed scientific investigation,” says Carter.  “If this latest research stands up under the peer review process, these salamanders are in fact not endangered.  This is why we must not allow environmental extremists to use the courts to overrule reliable and replicable research in making these determinations.”

The non-profit TSC published the independent review by Michael Forstner, PhD, which details the lack of differentiation in the three salamander species found in Williamson County and potential deficiencies in the process to be used by USFWS in determining the endangered status of the Central Texas salamander population.

The study found that the Jollyville Plateau, Georgetown and Salado salamanders are the same species, using 172 DNA sequences to include all Texas Eurycea salamanders. The Forstner Study says the current USFWS identification of three separate Eurycea species is based only on minor variations in physical appearance.  

Carter introduced the Salamander Community Conservation Act, H.R.6219 in July, which would block premature listing of the species as endangered without adequate scientific data to support such a decision. 

USFWS is under pressure from a court order to rush their decision, in violation of the 2005 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidelines on the peer review process, that requires a “transparent, balanced and independent” review of all data.  Carter also insists that the agency complies with the public review and comment period called for in the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Recent legal actions by environmental activist organizations have sought to force USFWS from following OMB and ESA guidelines, to allow the groups to seize effective control of public and private lands through court-sanctioned regulatory dictates.
 

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