WilCo residents pack forum to oppose listing area salamanders as endangered

Many residents, however, spoke against the USFWS's claims and demanded that the Williamson County Conservation Foundation, the scientific arm of the county's opposition, be allowed to finish a five-year study that is currently only halfway complete.

"The fact is, these people love this area. This is home to us. And no one wants to do anything to hurt an animal, that's not the goal. But the fact is that our county has gone out on a limb to work with the Fish and Wildlife Service, and you should let them finish," resident Jeff Stockton said.

Some claimed the listing would have devastating effects on local growth.

"What began as a law to protect the bald eagle has morphed into an antidevelopment device," land and business owner David Wolf said of the Endangered Species Act and the efforts to list the salamanders.

Officials also lodged their arguments against the proposal, saying the science behind the efforts did not indicate a need to list.

"We are not in favor of the listing. We feel like there will be great economic damage done. We would like to have our time to complete good scientific studies," County Judge Dan Gattis said.

A second forum was held Sept. 6 in Travis County. Public input on the listing is being accepted through Oct. 22 and can be submitted online at www.regulations.gov.