AUSTIN, Texas � After reviewing the best commercial and scientific data, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is publishing the final recovery plan for seven federally protected species of the Edwards Aquifer in Central and South Texas. These species are listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act and are found in the state’s two largest spring systems, Comal and San Marcos springs in Comal and Hays counties, respectively. These spring systems are fed by groundwater from the southern Edwards Aquifer. The recovery plan provides guidance on how to achieve recovery of the species so that they no longer need protections under the ESA.
This recovery plan applies only to federally protected species and includes one plant, two beetles, one fish, one crustacean, and two salamanders. They are the endangered Texas wild-rice, Comal Springs dryopid beetle, Comal Springs riffle beetle, fountain darter, Peck’s cave amphipod, Texas blind salamander, and the threatened San Marcos salamander.
The southern Edwards Aquifer is known for its high diversity of organisms and hosts the only known locations of these species. All seven species are aquatic, and their primary threat is the loss of groundwater and/or spring flows, as well as decreases in suitable habitat due to drawdown of the Edwards Aquifer. This area is experiencing rapid development, which is expected to increase the extent of threats to water quality and quantity. Safeguarding the Edwards Aquifer is crucial not only for the survival of these species but also for the human communities that depend on the groundwater.
The overall recovery strategy involves preserving, restoring, and managing species� aquatic habitats, along with the water resources necessary to support healthy populations and the ecosystems on which they depend. The recovery strategy also includes using stock populations, or captive refugia, to protect against catastrophic events. Successful recovery efforts will continue to involve cooperation and collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies, private entities and other stakeholders.
Recovery plans are not regulatory documents, and implementation of actions is not required by the ESA. Instead, recovery plans serve as road maps with specific management actions to foster cooperation in conservation for listed species and their ecosystems. The recovery plan describes actions that are considered necessary for the recovery of the seven species, establishes delisting criteria, and estimates the time and cost to implement these recovery actions.
An electronic copy of the final recovery plan is available at . To obtain a copy by mail, send a request to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin Ecological Services Field Office, 1505 Ferguson Lane, Austin, TX 78754 or by phone 512-937-7371.
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