U.S. Fish and Wildlife to develop salamander protection regulations

Occupied sites are those sites that were known to have salamanders at the time of the listing, she said. One of the things that weve accomplished through this process is that developers do not have to go look for additional salamander sites. Because of the setbacks and because of the fact that [the regulations] are recharge zonewide, there [are no setbacks] around any future site.

Under the ordinances, springs that are known salamander habitats would be protected by an 80-meter no-disturbance zone along the stream the spring flows into. Maintenance of existing developments would be permitted, but no new construction could take place there, Covey said.

In addition, a 300-meter minimal disturbance zone would further protect the habitat, allowing some parks, wastewater infrastructure and residential development near the habitat, she said.

The ordinance also places spring buffers that would allow limited construction within 50 meters of any spring, and stream buffers that limit development and construction to wastewater lines, parks, utility line crossings, flood-control measures and road crossings.

By the end of the year we should be finished with this process with the 4(d) rule in place and the development community aware of whats going on and how to react and deal with the rules in place that are no different than what has been approved by [City Council] last December, Covey said. The same rules apply. Its just that now that its listed [the city] legally cant [regulate those sites], but [USFWS] can regulate what happens to those sites.

The citys Planning and Zoning Commission will hear about the changes at its Nov. 18 meeting, and City Council is expected to discuss the issue at its Nov. 25 meeting. The second reading could be held Dec. 9.

There have been many, many years of cooperation and coordination that have in fact been a win-win situation for everybody, said City Councilwoman Patty Eason, who also serves on the WCCF board. I think thats part of what weve got going for us going forward. This ordinance and moving it to our code only enhances that relationship and enhances the opportunities for economic development here that will also benefit the environment and the species.