Williamson County Commissioners are requesting more time to develop research on salamanders that could potentially be listed as endangered species.

Commissioners voted May 22 to send a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service asking them to delay their decision until at least July 31.

"We want to give the [U.S. Fish and Wildlife] Service every opportunity to review [the research] we have," Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey said.

Covey said USFWS had indicated they could make a preliminary decision in June.

The Williamson County Conservation Foundation is in the process of studying the Georgetown Salamander and Jollyville Plateau Salamander to find out what threatens them, said Gary Boyd, director of environmental programs with Williamson County.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Lisa Birkman, who is also the president of the WCCF board, said so far research has shown that development in the county is not necessarily detrimental to the salamanders.

Commissioners said the decision to send the letter was made in part because a nonprofit group that represents landowners in the affected area and is conducting its own research, the Texas Salamander Coalition, came to the regular Commissioners Court meeting May 8 and requested that commissioners ask for a delay in the decision.

Lesli Gray, public affairs specialist for the State of Texas with USFWS, said if USFWS publishes a proposed ruling, there would be a public comment period, and USFWS would have 12 months before making a final decision.