A group of landowners in Williamson County have formed the Texas Salamander Coalition, a nonprofit organization to represent people whose property value could be affected if United States Fish and Wildlife Service lists certain salamander species in the area as endangered.
"The landowners need a voice, and the Texas Salamander Coalition is providing that," said John Lewis, president of the group, which began meeting in January.
Lewis said the goal of the TSC is to educate property owners on what is taking place and to also fund studies of the salamander that USFWS could use in making its determination. He said the group also hopes to mitigate the affects of any land use restrictions.
Lesli Gray, public affairs specialist for the state of Texas with USFWS, said USFWS could publish a proposed rule to list the salamanders in late spring or early summer, after which there would be a 30 to 90 day public comment period. USFWS would have 12 months before making a final decision.
