Habitat Conservation Plan Reconsiders Barton Springs Salamander

October 12, 2011 5:00 am by: Matt Largey

The Barton Springs salamander was given the taxonomic name, Eurycea sosorum, after the SOS (Save Our Springs) Ordinance passed by Austin voters in 1992 to protect the aquifer that discharges at Barton Springs. Photo courtesy of Austin City Connection/City of Austin

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The Barton Springs salamander is an endangered species unique to Austin. Every 15 years, the city must reapply for federal permits to manage the salamanders’ habitat. The current plan expires in 2013 and city officials are taking the opportunity to ask for input from the public.

KUT’s Matt Largey learns more from Dr. Laurie Dries, a biologist with the City of Austin, in this week’s “Changing Austin” segment.

According to Dries, helpful suggestions would include goals and activities that are consistent with the Habitat Conservation Plan’s continued protection of the endangered species that strike a harmonious balance with the human swimmers that frequent Barton Springs Pool. Fortunately, she said the wants and needs of humans and salamanders are usually consistent.

The public meeting will be held on Tuesday night at Barton Springs from 5-8 p.m.

Read more about the Barton Springs salamander here.

Podcast: Download (2.9MB)