The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Glenn Hegar, announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) should postpone its decision on listing two blind, cave-dwelling fish as endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This announcement is concurrent with the comptroller's office opening up invitations for research proposals from Texas public universities on ESA-listed or potential candidate species.
The dispute revolves around FWS' proposed categorization of certain aquatic creatures. Hegar contends that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) proposal to list the toothless blindcat and widemouth blindcat lacks sufficient primary research and may impose unwarranted water use restrictions in the Edwards Aquifer, the primary habitat of these cavefish. Texas public universities have until December 13 to submit proposals to the Comptroller for the Natural Resources program, which funds research to inform Endangered Species Act (ESA) decisions, according to a press release by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
As part of his reasoning against this move by FWS, Hegar highlights potential impacts on local communities. "FWS’ decision to list these species as endangered could have the downstream effect of reducing or eliminating access to water for Texas families, farmers and business owners in major portions of the city of San Antonio and the Hill Country," said Hegar, according to a press release by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
To emphasize his point further, Hegar elaborated on how integral Edwards Aquifer is not just for humans but also for other diverse interests. "This aquifer is the primary water source for more than 2 million people in south-central Texas, serving domestic, agricultural, industrial and recreational needs," said Hegar, according to a press release by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. "Use of this aquifer was a source of contention among these various interests for more than 50 years. A stakeholder-driven process led to the successful creation of the Edwards Aquifer Authority Habitat Conservation Plan that resolved the water dispute while providing protection for listed species in the aquifer. This program received a 2013 FWS Partners in Conservation Award for its success in using collaboration and partnership to address endangered species and water-resource issues."