Congressmen hit town to discuss tiger salamander
By MICHAEL DOYLE
BEE WASHINGTON BUREAU
Published: October 24, 2003, 09:59:09 AM PDT
WASHINGTON -- The California tiger salamander may be shy, but it has surely found the national spotlight.
Just ask the two congressmen due in Modesto today for a public meeting on the reptile of varied reputation. Some regard the salamander as a victim; others, as a symbol for environmental rules run amok.
The latter interpretation is likely to dominate today's hearing, featuring two San Joaquin Valley lawmakers who share a common skepticism about the Endangered Species Act. In particular, these skeptics say they fear the consequences of the government's proposal to protect the tiger salamander by declaring it a threatened species.
"The problem with these designations is that they are too far-reaching," said Rep. George Radanovich, a Mariposa Republican whose district stretches into Modesto.
Stanislaus County officials agree, saying the salamander protection would have profound consequences on agriculture and the county's authority over land-use decisions.
The Board of Supervisors has taken an official stand against the Fish and Wildlife Service proposal, and pushed for a longer public comment period. The government went along.
Tiger salamanders are about 8 inches long, have pale yellow or white spots on black bodies and can live for as long as a decade.
They are thought to live in about two dozen California counties. The reptiles hatch in vernal pools and seasonal ponds in the Central Valley and Bay Area, and along the Central Coast.
"My own field experiences, and conversations with other herpetologists in California, convinced me the species (is) in quite serious decline," H. Bradley Shaffer, a professor of ecology and evolution at the University of California at Davis, said Thursday.
In 1992, he petitioned the Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the salamander. The agency eventually concluded that such protection would be "warranted" but could not be afforded.
A subsequent lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity compelled the Fish and Wildlife Service to complete its work on the proposal.
"Waiting doesn't do the species any good," Shaffer said.
Today's scheduled hearing, co-sponsored by Radanovich and Merced Democrat Dennis Cardoza, comes a week before the new deadline for public comment.
With two congressmen involved, the hearing illustrates the high political profile that the tiger salamander has attained, notwithstanding its rarely seen status.
Typically, the salamander spends all but a few weeks of its life in underground burrows. It occasionally pops out on rainy winter nights, when it meanders to vernal pools and stock ponds for mating.
"You almost never see them on the surface," Shaffer said. "They're a secretive animal."
Citing the tiger salamander and other critters, Radanovich and Cardoza are pushing legislation to change how federal officials protect animals and plants.
If the lawmakers cannot block the endangered species listing of the tiger salamander, they want to carve out more exceptions to protect ranchers and other property owners.
The Bush administration appears to offer a sympathetic ear. Earlier this year, the administration cut by 43 percent the number of acres designated as critical habitat for species found in Central Valley vernal pools.
While these vernal pools are protected, Shaffer noted that tiger salamanders need about 350 additional acres around each breeding area.
In a rarely used move, the Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to exempt routine ranching activities from the normal prohibition against the "take" of the species. Usually, permits are required prior to a take, which can range from killing to habitat disruption.
"We believe that this special rule will encourage landowners and ranchers to continue their livestock-related practices that are not only important for livestock operations, but also provide habitat for the tiger salamander," Fish and Wildlife Service officials explained.
http://www.modbee.com/local/story/7637370p...p-8543794c.html
Full Version: Congressmen hit town to discuss tiger salamander
Congress, farmer blast salamander proposal
Saturday, October 25, 2003
By Brandon Bowers - Turlock Journal
The Endangered Species Act is broken and needs to be changed, said congressmen Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced) and George Radanovich (R-Mariposa) Friday at a meeting in Modesto to gather opinions on whether the California Tiger Salamander should be granted the endangered designation.
“At some point, we could literally be preserving ourselves into extinction,” Cardoza said. <-- Democrat :shock:
The tiger salamander is found throughout the Central Valley and in parts of the Bay Area and Southern California. If determined to be endangered, more than 1 million acres could be determined critical habitat.
The finding could affect significant portions of Stanislaus County. Agriculture is a $1.37 billion industry in Stanislaus, but the salamander’s designation as an endangered species could affect as much as one-third of the county’s land, much of it used for farming.
Land values often fall if an endangered species is found, because laws prevent changing land uses. A rancher, for instance, would be barred from planting orchards on property where the salamander might be found.
Nancy Stout, an almond grower near Hickman, said 1,600 acres of her 2,500-acre property are vernal pools - typical habitat for the tiger salamander. Stout’s family has made special efforts to prevent irrigation runoff from flowing into the pool, but she said she’s worried that the broad rules of the Endangered Species Act would affect her entire farm.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is proposing a special allowance allowing ranching activities to continue on land where the salamander is found, but farmers say the clause is too vague.
“There is no clear definition of ‘ranching activities,’” said Gary Conover, director of Modesto-based Western United Dairymen, which represents 1,100 dairy families in California.
The politicians say the Endangered Species Act should require a study of economic impacts before an animal or plant can be added to the list.
Conover said the designation would deal a “severe blow” to Stanislaus County’s dairy industry.
“We cannot price ourselves out of a system in which a consumer demands high quality product but a cost-efficient product as well,” he said.
Stanislaus County has 323 dairies and 19 processing plants, creating 10,200 jobs and $423 million from farm-raised milk, Conover said.
Wayne Zipser, executive manager of Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, said his organization was opposing the proposal.
“We think it comes down to property rights,” he said.
The California Tiger Salamander is being considered for the endangered designation because of a judge’s order following a lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity. The department has a year from to determine the salamander’s fate, even if studies aren’t yet complete.
Even the California Department of Fish and Game isn’t sure whether the salamander deserves protection. When prodded by Radanovich, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife office director Steve Thompson admitted the salamander was being considered only because of a judge’s orders.
“Sometimes the science is not as sound as we would like, but it’s the best available science as defined by the act,” Thompson said. “The groups have driven us to the point where we’re dealing with other people’s priorities, not our own.”
The period for public comments ends Oct. 31. The department will decide in May whether to extend protection to the salamander.
http://www.turlockjournal.com/news/newsvie...iew.asp?c=79676
Saturday, October 25, 2003
By Brandon Bowers - Turlock Journal
The Endangered Species Act is broken and needs to be changed, said congressmen Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced) and George Radanovich (R-Mariposa) Friday at a meeting in Modesto to gather opinions on whether the California Tiger Salamander should be granted the endangered designation.
“At some point, we could literally be preserving ourselves into extinction,” Cardoza said. <-- Democrat :shock:
The tiger salamander is found throughout the Central Valley and in parts of the Bay Area and Southern California. If determined to be endangered, more than 1 million acres could be determined critical habitat.
The finding could affect significant portions of Stanislaus County. Agriculture is a $1.37 billion industry in Stanislaus, but the salamander’s designation as an endangered species could affect as much as one-third of the county’s land, much of it used for farming.
Land values often fall if an endangered species is found, because laws prevent changing land uses. A rancher, for instance, would be barred from planting orchards on property where the salamander might be found.
Nancy Stout, an almond grower near Hickman, said 1,600 acres of her 2,500-acre property are vernal pools - typical habitat for the tiger salamander. Stout’s family has made special efforts to prevent irrigation runoff from flowing into the pool, but she said she’s worried that the broad rules of the Endangered Species Act would affect her entire farm.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is proposing a special allowance allowing ranching activities to continue on land where the salamander is found, but farmers say the clause is too vague.
“There is no clear definition of ‘ranching activities,’” said Gary Conover, director of Modesto-based Western United Dairymen, which represents 1,100 dairy families in California.
The politicians say the Endangered Species Act should require a study of economic impacts before an animal or plant can be added to the list.
Conover said the designation would deal a “severe blow” to Stanislaus County’s dairy industry.
“We cannot price ourselves out of a system in which a consumer demands high quality product but a cost-efficient product as well,” he said.
Stanislaus County has 323 dairies and 19 processing plants, creating 10,200 jobs and $423 million from farm-raised milk, Conover said.
Wayne Zipser, executive manager of Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, said his organization was opposing the proposal.
“We think it comes down to property rights,” he said.
The California Tiger Salamander is being considered for the endangered designation because of a judge’s order following a lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity. The department has a year from to determine the salamander’s fate, even if studies aren’t yet complete.
Even the California Department of Fish and Game isn’t sure whether the salamander deserves protection. When prodded by Radanovich, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife office director Steve Thompson admitted the salamander was being considered only because of a judge’s orders.
“Sometimes the science is not as sound as we would like, but it’s the best available science as defined by the act,” Thompson said. “The groups have driven us to the point where we’re dealing with other people’s priorities, not our own.”
The period for public comments ends Oct. 31. The department will decide in May whether to extend protection to the salamander.
http://www.turlockjournal.com/news/newsvie...iew.asp?c=79676
[quote]
“We cannot price ourselves out of a system in which a consumer demands high quality product but a cost-efficient product as well,” he said.
[/quote]
The ESA was passed to protect the earth's species from extinction for profit. This is a good example of a situation the ESA was designed to protect.
Humans are not dumb. We will find ways to continue to make productive use of the land without killing the wildlife. How about a bed and breakfast? --at present there's no decent place to stay in the entire San Joaquin Valley!
“We cannot price ourselves out of a system in which a consumer demands high quality product but a cost-efficient product as well,” he said.
[/quote]
The ESA was passed to protect the earth's species from extinction for profit. This is a good example of a situation the ESA was designed to protect.
Humans are not dumb. We will find ways to continue to make productive use of the land without killing the wildlife. How about a bed and breakfast? --at present there's no decent place to stay in the entire San Joaquin Valley!
[quote] Humans are not dumb. We will find ways to continue to make productive use of the land without killing the wildlife. How about a bed and breakfast? --at present there's no decent place to stay in the entire San Joaquin Valley![/quote]
:roll:
Just another pathetic Bluesky statement. The San Joaquin Valley was made for farming, not a B&B dumbass....
I guess we should all just eat tofu and live in high rise apartments.
:roll:
Just another pathetic Bluesky statement. The San Joaquin Valley was made for farming, not a B&B dumbass....
I guess we should all just eat tofu and live in high rise apartments.
| QUOTE |
|
The San Joaquin Valley was made for farming |
Does Crowdad have any idea of how the water gets to the SJV? Who pay for it? how much they pay?
Water for growing food has to come from somewhere, and many times the best growing areas don't have enough water for the area that is planted. The human race has been moving water from one place to another for irrigation for centuries.
And just how does the water get to your house?
Oh, that's right, you collect rainwater for all your needs and recycle grey water for watering your plants. No lawn, of course.
Say this three times:
I am a hypocrite. I am a hypocrite. I am a hypocrite. :roll:
And just how does the water get to your house?
Oh, that's right, you collect rainwater for all your needs and recycle grey water for watering your plants. No lawn, of course.
Say this three times:
I am a hypocrite. I am a hypocrite. I am a hypocrite. :roll:
| QUOTE |
| I am a hypocrite. I am a hypocrite. I am a hypocrite. :roll: |
Silly Crowdog, you're saying it wrong.
It's "I am a troll. I am a troll. I am a troll."
hehehe
Vicki
| QUOTE | ||
Silly Crowdog, you're saying it wrong. It's "I am a troll. I am a troll. I am a troll." hehehe Vicki |
I know, I know. Don't feed the troll. Couldn't help myself....
hehehe
What's that old saying... admitting your problem is the first step to a cure
Sometimes he's just too ridiculous to ignore.
Vicki
What's that old saying... admitting your problem is the first step to a cure
Sometimes he's just too ridiculous to ignore.
Vicki
Much of the agriculture in the US is supported by tax credits that pay them not to grow. Most agriculture in CA is corporate-owned and relies on pesticides and additives that contaminate the ground water. The aquaducts that bring the water to the SJV were paid for by taxpayers. The corporate farmers pay only a fraction for their water that the individual home user does. There is a book called "cadillac desert" that recounts the story of the US Bureau of Reclamation and the boondoggles it has pulled on the tax-paying public.
The SJV has very little natural wildlife and habitat left. Why should we endanger the little that has survived by bulldozing the vernal pools? Where there are pockets of nature existing, the area could be converted to light impact uses such as Bed And Breakfasts and wildlife viewing. As I pointed out, there is hardly anywhere decent to stay along the I-5 through the SJV.
but Crowdad, in his own personal quest to increase his business earnings selling OHV parts, is against ANY conservation effort that might impact his business.
Isn't that like listening to the fox tell us why we don't need to protect the henhouse?
The SJV has very little natural wildlife and habitat left. Why should we endanger the little that has survived by bulldozing the vernal pools? Where there are pockets of nature existing, the area could be converted to light impact uses such as Bed And Breakfasts and wildlife viewing. As I pointed out, there is hardly anywhere decent to stay along the I-5 through the SJV.
but Crowdad, in his own personal quest to increase his business earnings selling OHV parts, is against ANY conservation effort that might impact his business.
Isn't that like listening to the fox tell us why we don't need to protect the henhouse?
Jon, I saw that picture of Sand Mountain covered in snow... you know you could make a pretty penny if you put that on a Christmas card.
Say... you could even donate some of the cash to Bluesky so he could buy a clue!
Vicki
Say... you could even donate some of the cash to Bluesky so he could buy a clue!
Vicki
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