Four salamander species native to Central Texas have moved closer to being classified as "endangered" by the federal government.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened a 60-day public comment period today, asking for feedback on its proposal to protect four salamanders that live only in the waters of the Edwards Aquifer.
The four species are the Austin Blind Salamander (Eurycea waterlooensis), Jollyville Plateau salamander (Eurycea tonkawae), Georgetown salamander (Eurycea naufragia), and the Salado salamander (Eurycea chisholmensis).
They join the Barton Springs salamander and the Texas Blind salamander, both designated "endangered" by the federal government, and the San Marcos salamander, designated as "threatened."
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Almost 6,000 acres in Travis, Williamson, and Bell counties would be marked as "critical habitat" under the proposal.
Two public meetings are scheduled:
September 5, 2012 – Williamson County
Informational meeting – 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Public hearing – 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Wingate by Wyndham Round Rock
1209 N. IH 35 North, Exit 253 at Hwy 79
Round Rock, Texas 78664
September 6, 2012 – Travis County
Informational meeting - 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Public hearing - 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Thompson Conference Center
2405 Robert Dedman Drive, Room 2.102