Commissioners oppose emergency listing of Jollyville Plateau salamander
On Jan. 31, the Williamson County commissioners approved sending letters to two environmental groups as well as U.S. Fish and Wildlife voicing the county's opposition to the emergency listing for the Jollyville Plateau salamander as an endangered species.
The environmental groups, including Biological Diversity and Save Our Springs Alliance, are requesting the emergency listing because "shaft leaks near salamander habitat in connection with the City of Austin's construction of Water Treatment Plant 4, compounded by the current Texas drought, have created a significant risk to the well-being of the salamander," according to the county's letter addressed to the environmental groups.
Although the environmental groups are protesting the effects of a project in Austin, Williamson County Precinct 1 Commissioner Lisa Birkman said the emergency listing would also impact areas of Williamson County. The salamander exists in springs in the southwestern portion of Williamson County.
Gary Boyd, director of environmental programs with Williamson County, said Fish and Wildlife had previously entered into an agreement with environmental organizations to review the listing status of four Central Texas salamander species and, if it determined a species was endangered, the listing could go into effect in summer 2013.
County breaks ground on Hwy. 29 safety improvements
Williamson County held a groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 18 for safety improvements to Hwy. 29.
The improvements include adding right-turn lanes on Hwy. 29 near the Cimarron Hills and Gabriels Overlook subdivisions. Commissioner Valerie Covey said the turn lanes will allow vehicles to slow down before turning into the subdivisions.
"Because of the speed of the traffic [on Hwy. 29], there is no safe way to turn into those subdivisions," Covey said.
The right-turn lanes will be added at Jack Nicklaus Boulevard and Park Place Drive. Construction is expected to cost $420,000 and to be finished in August.
Other action
Commissioners appointed board members for Emergency Service District No. 11 and No. 12, two new ESDs in the Cedar Park area.
