A letter sent Feb. 25 by U.S. Rep. John Carter, R-District 31, and U.S. Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requests an extension to the comment period currently under way on the proposed listing of four local species of salamanders as endangered

The possible decision to add the Jollyville Plateau, Georgetown, Austin Blind and Salado salamanders to the federal endangered species list has drawn opposition from local residents and leaders. Valerie Covey, Williamson County Commissioner for Precinct 3 and member of the Williamson County Conservation Foundation, said the scientific findings on the salamanders and possible economic impacts do not justify the listing.

"I believe the decision should be science-based, and the science does not prove or substantiate the need to list the salamander," Covey said. "So when you look at that and you look at the financial impact it's going to have on our county, it frustrates me greatly to see that a decision is going to be made for political reasons, not science-based [reasons]."

Williamson County and the WCCF are also currently writing a letter that will counter claims made by the USFWS about the listing's possible effects on local development, said Gary Boyd, Williamson County Environmental Program Coordinator. A draft economic analysis released by the USFWS estimates the area will see a $29 million impact over the next 23 years.

"At this point in time, we think that that [the USFWS's economic impact] estimate is low by a magnitude of probably a hundredfold or better," he said.

In order to more thoroughly investigate the issue, Williamson County officials, as well as Cornyn and Carter, are hoping to extend a public comment period on the listing, set to expire March 11, by another 45 days. Boyd said he is also hoping the final listing decision, which is currently set for around Aug. 22, will be delayed.

"In order to have the best information possible prior to your final listing decision, our constituents require a reasonable opportunity to ... review and provide feedback to you and your colleagues," the letter from Cornyn and Carter states. "[The extension] will allow the numerous stakeholders involved more time to review and respond..."

If an extension is granted, the final decision on the listing could be delayed up to six months.