Salamander Could Stymie Development

Posted by: Tim Halbur

30 April 2009 - 6:00am

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering listing the Tehachapi slender salamander as an endangered species, which could cause problems for large developments in California like the massive Tejon Ranch project.

"Ilene Anderson, a spokeswoman for the Center for Biological Diversity, a nonprofit conservation organization, praised the move on behalf of a creature already listed as threatened by the state of California.

'If we're going to save California's natural heritage, including this salamander, more land needs to be protected from urban sprawl,' she said in a statement.

Barry Zoeller, spokesman for Tejon Ranch, said the company has no plans to develop any area 'were the Tehachapi slender salamander is found or may be found.'"

Full Story: Fish and Wildlife Service to study a stealthy amphibian

Source: The Los Angeles Times, April 28, 2009