Background

The 2009 Legislature’s Senate Bill 2534 created the Interagency Task Force on Economic Growth and Endangered Species.

Purpose

The task force is charged with providing local and regional governments and the communities they serve with policy and technical assistance regarding compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and related regulations, so that compliance is as efficient and cost effective as possible.

Activities

The task force’s member agencies share information on ESA issues; assess the economic impact of proposed listings; develop strategies for protecting endangered species while encouraging economic growth; and provide recommendations and reports on endangered species concerns across the state.

Guiding Principles

The task force adopted principles to guide its activities and the efforts of any related advisory committees, including the development of recommendations for cost effective approaches to endangered species issues.

Information and Outreach

To assist Texas landowners, communities and businesses with endangered species issues, the task force provides information in a clear, easy-to-use format on matters including:

• The Endangered Species Act
• Species under review
• The listing process
• Comment process for proposed listings and rules

Email Updates

The task force provides information on proposed listings and other actions as well as ESA economic impacts to all who sign up for email updates.Sign up to stay current on endangered species issues.

Meetings and Information Sessions

The task force holds meetings to share important news about species under review and the ongoing initiatives to address endangered species issues that could affect the state’s economy.

• Task force meetings
• Freshwater Mussel Summit (Sept. 27, 2010)
• Additional information sessions – TBA

Public Comments

Task force member agencies submit comments to appropriate federal agencies and officials on proposed listings and other ESA regulations.

• Comments on proposed listings – see species webpages
• Comments on ESA regulations
• Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts comments on FWS and NMFS proposed regulations for impact analysis of critical habitat
• Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts comments on FWS proposed policy – Expanding Incentives for Voluntary Conservation under the Endangered Species Act
• Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts comments on FWS Draft Policy on Interpretation of the Phrase “Significant Portion of Its Range” in the Endangered Species Act’s Definitions of “Endangered Species” and “Threatened Species.”

Economic Impact

The task force analyses the potential economic impact of the ESA and possible species listings.

• Endangered Economy: A Case Study of the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard and the West Texas Oil and Gas Industry
• Case studies
• Species webpages and fact sheets containing economic data

Local Strategies

The task force identifies strategies and tools to help communities, landowners and businesses work with endangered species issues while growing the economy.

Step-by-Step Guide for Local Communities

The task force developed a step-by-step guide for communities to learn more about the resources available to address endangered species issues.

Data on Species under Review

The task force highlights the importance of gathering data on species under review to better understand their status and provide input on listing proposals.

• In winter 2012, the task force assembled researchers from across the state to identify available data and survey protocols for species under review.
• Information coming soon.
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Nature Trackers - learn how to gather data about various species found on public lands or on your own property.

Conservation Plans

Conservation plans are one of the available mechanisms that communities can use to protect economic growth while conserving species of interest.

• May 2011 - February 2012 – the task force collaborated with a stakeholder group to develop the Texas Conservation Plan, a key factor in FWS’ decision not to list the dunes sagebrush lizard.
• The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is working with impacted entities to develop and implement a conservation plan for the lesser prairie-chicken.

Local Advisory Committees

The task force creates local advisory committees to provide recommendations on strategies for specific species.

• Camp Bullis Advisory Committee
• Houston Toad Advisory Committee
• Lesser Prairie-Chicken Advisory Committee

Reports

The task force publishes reports on endangered species activities and impacts across the state.

• Interagency Task Force on Economic Growth and Endangered Species Update 2013
  Task Force Activities in Response to Endangered Species Act Costs and Challenges
• A Case Study of the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard and the West Texas Oil and Gas Industry
• 2010 Task Force Report

Staff Contact:

Mrs. Cary Dupuy
Natural Resource Policy Advisor
111 E. 17th St.
Austin, Texas 78701
512- 936-3384
cary.dupuy@cpa.state.tx.us