WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and U.S. Representative John Carter (R-TX) today introduced legislation to block four species of Central Texas salamanders from being listed as endangered or threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), a move that could potentially hinder job growth and economic development in the Central Texas region:

“Just as they hastily tried to list the sand dune lizard in West Texas, the Administration is again putting the cart before the horse based on limited data in the face of economic consequences,” said Cornyn. “Our bill will head off a premature listing, allowing conservation efforts already underway to continue without hindering Central Texas from growing and creating jobs.”

“Endangered species listing decisions should be made with peer-reviewed sound science after ample input from state and local governments and researchers,” says Carter. “The ongoing attempts by environmental extremists to circumvent this process through court action cannot be tolerated. This legislation can restore commonsense and due process to environmental issues, provide better species protection results, and recognize the needs of human beings as well as salamanders.”

The Salamander Community Conservation Act is supported by Williamson County officials and landowners who have formed the Texas Salamander Coalition, will amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to halt the premature proposed listing of the Austin blind, Georgetown, Jolleyville Plateau, and Salado salamanders. Sen. Cornyn and Rep. Carter previously sent a letter to Fish and Wildlife Regional Director Ben Tuggle asking for a delay in the listing decisions, which local officials and the Coalition have also sought.