Endangered feces act endangers people in Texas

Austin American Statesman:
Though they have a contract in hand, city officials are hesitant to buy land for a fire station because the federal government has proposed an endangered species listing for a salamander that calls the site home. And to some neighborhood residents, that’s good news.

In emails obtained by the American-Statesman through an open-records request, Round Rock officialsback away from purchasing the tract of land near the Tonkawa Springs neighborhood, which city studies show could be difficult and costly to develop, and even more so if the federal government determines the Jollyville Plateau salamander is endangered.

“With the recent news regarding the potential listing of the salamander … I am recommending we NOT follow through with the purchase of the tract for a fire station,” City Manager Steve Norwood told the City Council in an email sent Aug. 22, the day after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed listing four salamander species. “It’s unfortunate, but there is too much lack of knowledge and uncertainty to spend $350k on a parcel we are not sure we can build on.”

Since Norwood’s email the City Council has voted twice to extend the contract and paid $3,000 to give themselves until November 2013 to make a decision.
... 
The Endangered Feces Act has become a danger to people when it impacts health and safety infrastructure.   It needs to be modified or repealed.  It is an anti Darwinian act to begin with.  It destroys property values for the benefit of critters of dubious value.

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