Office of the Governor, George W. Bush

For Immediate Release
April 22, 1997
Contact: Karen Hughes or Ray Sullivan, 512/463-1826


Federal Government Flip Flops; Refuses to Support Conservation Agreement for Salamander

Austin --- Governor George W. Bush this afternoon said he is "sorely disappointed" that the federal government is breaking its word and refusing to stand up for a joint federal-state conservation agreement to protect the Barton Springs Salamander.

Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt this afternoon called Governor Bush and followed up with a letter informing him the federal government will not appeal Judge Bunton's recent federal court ruling and expects to formally list the salamander as an endangered species by this week's deadline.

"Texans will have a hard time trusting a federal government that makes an agreement then turns right around and breaks it," said Governor Bush. "Last fall, before the election, the federal government told us it agreed that Texans can run Texas; now it has abruptly changed its mind.

"The state of Texas views this decision as a breach of trust which threatens state and federal cooperation on other projects," said Governor Bush. Last August, Secretary Babbitt told the Austin American-Statesman, "This concept of using conservation agreements that are sufficiently strong to eliminate the danger that triggered the listing proposal are in fact a preferable way to go." (August 29, 1996)

This afternoon, in an abrupt about-face, Secretary Babbitt told Governor Bush the federal government will not stand up for the agreement it sought and supported.

Texas experts agree the conservation agreement is working and there is no reason for the federal government to abandon it. "Federal, state and academic experts on water quality agree there has been no discernible decline in water quality in Barton Springs since studies began in the mid 1970's," said Chairman Barry McBee of the TNRCC.

"Since the conservation agreement has been in place, our studies of the salamander have found more salamanders than ever before and we have found them in a new location," said Larry McKinney, Senior Director for Water and Resource Protection at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Secretary Babbitt followed up his telephone call to Governor Bush with a letter which said, "Thorough consideration was given to whether to appeal Judge Bunton's decision. However, the Justice Department, in conjunction with the Interior Department's Solicitor, has decided against it. To comply with the Judge's order, I anticipate that the Fish and Wildlife Service will formally list the salamander by this week's deadline."

State officials warned if the species is listed, the federal government will have to develop a plan which will designate critical habitat and may lead to restrictions on develop in the watershed and potential restrictions on use of the Barton Springs pool.

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