Shy salamander has developers on tenterhooks (Santa Rosa, Calif.)

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 02/18/2005 | Jim Doyle

[TenaciousZ]

Ambystoma californiense, the California tiger salamander, has found success where die-hard environmentalists have failed: The lowly reptile has single-handedly slowed down Sonoma County's relentless growth.

The reclusive, rarely seen creature has been credited with -- or blamed for -- delaying a dozen major construction projects on the Santa Rosa plain. It has stalled everything from new housing subdivisions and a shopping mall to a Santa Rosa elementary school.
...

Conservationists have championed such issues to slow growth in their county, but no issue has matched the salamander's record for halting development. The salamander, builders say, has put on hold the construction of as many as 2,000 homes and apartment units on the Santa Rosa plain.
...

Builders say mitigation measures for the amphibian would add about $25, 000 to the cost of a single-family home. Some builders have already opted for the greener pastures of Solano, Sacramento, Shasta and Tehama counties.

[Mr. K]

Conservationists = moron idiots

[CaptRon]

The reclusive, rarely seen creature

If it's rarely seen how do they know it isn't extinct already? Or maybe it moved on to Sausalito or somewhere.

[TenaciousZ]

Yup, the article says that a two-year study has to be conducted to determine whether one of these salamanders is even on the property. Make no mistake, this kind of thing is great for business -- if in fact you're in the business of wildlife biology, conservation strategy, or habitat mitigation.

[MBB1984]

Reptile? A salamander is an amphibian!

[Diddle E. Squat]

The irony is that liberals will cheer this as a victory in their fight against 'sprawl', when in reality it will only push growth even further out, where it will be built at an even lower density and produce more traffic and congestion(which increases pollution from ineffecient engine operation) on the few existing arteries, and perhaps even lead to more road building than would otherwise been required. Once again they'll win a battle and lose a war.

[Tamar1973]

The North Bay Business Journal has been covering this for a long time. Since 2002, the North Bay Business journal has written over 20 articles and briefs about the tiger salamander issue up here. Where has the Chronicle been?

Tiger Salamander News Search, North Bay Business Journal

[stompk]

"Or maybe it moved on to Sausalito or somewhere."

it probably had. "it's not shy, the environmentalists only brought a few in just for the occasion" :-(

[MineralMan]

Here's the pesky little fella:

[advance_copy]

This is insane!

[Dr. Frank fan]

I can't read this, it makes me feel sick. The article is written as if the whole thing is cute.

[monday]

"Conservationists = moron idiots"

You forgot; maggot worshiping loons,
communist land grabbing thugs,
and vile putrescent septic tank offal.
Feel free to use any of the above when addressing an environmental wacko;^)

[The SISU kid]

"Give me a ping, Vasily. One ping only please!"

8^)

[Cold Heat]

Salamanders do just fine in home gardens.

The kids catch them all the time! LOL!

nutjobs.............

[American in Israel]

Conservationists = Smart Communist insurgents

[Salamander]

I'm an elemental salamander so therefore I exist strictly in the mythopæic plane.
I had *nothing* to do with this....8:D

[The SISU kid]

Yep, of course I already knew that. 8^)

The myth remains the legitimate expression of the fundamental movements of the soul.

Clocking out now...Have a great weekend!

[Salamander]

LOL!

Have a great weekend yourself!

Guess I'll go sit in by the fire for a while...8)

[giotto]

Conservationists = moron idiots

No. The moron idiots are those who take them seriously and agree to be intimidated by them.