Action timeline

January 26, 2004 – The Center and Save Our Springs Alliance filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency for failing to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the impacts of six pesticides on the Barton Springs salamander.

September 2005 – The agency settled the lawsuit by agreeing to consult with the Service on the impacts of atrazine within one year and the impacts of the remaining five pesticides within two years.

May 19, 2016 – The Center and Save Our Springs Alliance filed a notice of intent to sue the Texas Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration for approving a major highway project in Austin without adequately considering potential impacts to three federally protected species, including the Barton Springs salamander. In response, the Texas Department of Transportation quickly withdrew its finding that the highway would have no impact on the federally protected species and said in a letter that it had initiated consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Photo by Wyman Meinzer/USGS