The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today designated approximately 110 acres in central Texas as critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for two species of beetle and one species of amphipod, a shrimp-like crustacean. The three endangered species are the Comal Springs dryopid beetle, Comal Springs riffle beetle, and Peck's cave amphipod.
These species are aquatic and are known to occur only in four spring systems associated with the Edwards aquifer in central Texas. All three are quite small; for example, the riffle beetle is about as long as an uncooked spaghetti noodle is wide. The three freshwater species and the spring systems they live in depend on clean water. Therefore, hazardous material spills, pesticide use, storm water pollutants and groundwater depletion could damage the habitat, and impact the health of beetle and amphipod populations.
"These species exist in the aquifer from which the counties draw their drinking water. Their ability to survive in this habitat is an indicator of good water quality," said Benjamin N. Tuggle, Ph.D. Southwest Regional Director for the Service. "They simply cant survive in polluted waters. We all have a vested interest in the present and future quality of the water in the Edwards Aquifer."
Under the ESA, critical habitat refers to specific geographic areas that contain features essential for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species. These areas may require special management considerations and/or protection. The designation requires federal agencies to analyze activities they undertake, fund or permit to determine if the activity may harm the species? habitat. If so, the agency consults with the Service on how it could eliminate impacts or reduce them to an acceptable level.
Designation of critical habitat does not establish a refuge or preserve and has no impact on private landowners taking actions on their land that do not require federal funding or permits. The designation comes into play when a federal permit is required, federal funding is involved or the land is federally managed.
Critical habitat for the three species is designated at Comal Springs and Hueco Springs in Comal County, and Fern Bank Springs and San Marcos Springs in Hays County. Comal and San Marcos Springs have been impounded to form lakes. Critical habitat encompasses lakes and spring openings and includes a 50-foot buffer zone around the water's edge.
For the Comal Springs riffle beetle, the Service has designated 19.8 acres in Landa Lake, which encompasses Comal Springs, and 10.5 acres of Spring Lake which overlies San Marcos Springs, for a total of 30.3 acres.
The Pecks Cave amphipod has a total of 38.5 acres designated; 38.1 acres at Comal Springs and 0.4 acres at Hueco Springs.
The Comal Springs dryopid beetle has 39.5 acres proposed; 38.1 acres at Comal Springs and 1.4 acres at Fern Bank Springs.
Todays decision is part of a settlement agreement negotiated with the Center for Biological Diversity.
When specifying an area as critical habitat, the ESA requires the Service to consider economic and other relevant impacts of the designation. If the benefits of excluding an area outweigh the benefits of including it, the Secretary may exclude an area from critical habitat, unless this would result in the extinction of a threatened or endangered species.
The final rule and maps are on the internet at http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/AustinTexas/. You may also request a copy by telephoning 512-490-0057 or writing to Austin Ecological Services Office, USFWS, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78758.
