WCCF Funds Study of Salamanders
Jan
13
Written by:
1/13/2012 1:54 PM
On January 11, the Williamson County Conservation Foundation (WCCF) Board of Directors approved funding for enhanced studies of the Georgetown and Jollyville Plateau salamanders. Requests for Proposals to conduct research will be posted and evaluation of proposals and contract awards will be made soon. U.S. Fish and Wildlife (FWS) is considering listing these species as endangered under a August 2011 lawsuit agreement which included the salamanders in a list of 251 species nationwide.
“Our desire is to further develop the science that exists regarding these species, for which little is known right now. We hope that by enhancing the scientific data, we can learn what is actually needed to protect the species, and ultimately lead to less regulations from the federal agency.” stated WCCF Board President Lisa Birkman. A review of the existing research literature for both species shows that few, mostly incomplete or inadequate studies even exist.
As a part of its Regional Habitat Conservation Plan, Williamson County agreed to fund five years of research on the Georgetown salamander, a species known from several locations in the county. The county and FWS agreed that the multi-year study could lead to a Candidate Conservation Agreement to help preclude listing the Georgetown salamander as endangered. As the study is just barely into its second year, the WCCF board approved funds to accelerate and enhance studies already underway.
For the Jollyville Plateau salamander funds will be used to study known populations from several sites concentrating on environmental factors such as water quality and affects of urbanization. Although the Jollyville Plateau salamander is known from more than 80 sites across Williamson and Travis counties, the WCCF study will focus on Williamson County spring sites.
The Board authorized staff to prepare requests for proposals and authorized up to $400,000 for the studies. The funding will come from monies paid to the Foundation for inclusion in the Regional Habitat Conservation Plan, and not from county funds. In additional, other sources of funding will be sought.