Austin News

U.S. Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn of Texas have expressed their strong concerns regarding the U.S. Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service's proposed rule to list two species of blind, translucent catfish as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The rule directly impacts the Edwards Aquifer in Bexar County, Texas, which provides drinking water to over 1.7 million Texans.

In a letter addressed to Secretary Haaland and Director Williams, the senators criticized the Biden administration for prioritizing the well-being of blind catfish over the needs of the people in San Antonio and south-central Texas. They argued that the proposed rule would threaten the drinking water supply of millions of working families in the region.

Sen. Cruz stated, "The lack of fundamental research to support this unfounded regulation is astonishing. The Biden administration should stop imposing oppressive regulations that elevate two obscure species of catfish over the needs of millions of working families."

The proposed listing of the blindcat fish species has also raised concerns among stakeholders in the region. Robert R. Puente, President and CEO of the San Antonio Water System, emphasized that the listing lacks appropriate science and misunderstands how groundwater pumping works in San Antonio. Puente warned that the listing could put well-established and nationally-recognized programs that protect the aquifer at risk.

The senators raised several questions in their letter, requesting the Fish and Wildlife Service to provide justification for listing both species as endangered and to detail the outreach conducted with the Edwards Aquifer Authority and the signatories of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan.

The senators urged the agency to withdraw the proposed rule and address their concerns by November 13, 2023.

The Biden administration's proposed rule has faced criticism for listing these blindcat species without any recorded observation in their natural habitat. The senators argued that the excessive use of assumptions and extrapolations from other species indicates that the listing was made without the best available science and commercial information.

Furthermore, the senators questioned the need for additional regulation in Bexar County, as none of the data cited in the proposed rule came from that area. They also raised concerns about the potential impact of the listing on other species and the existing agreements and conservation plans in the region.

As the debate continues, stakeholders and lawmakers are closely watching the outcome of this issue, which highlights the tension between conservation efforts and the needs of local communities for clean drinking water.

Click this link to access more information: https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-cornyn-send-letter-confronting-the-biden-administrations-weaponization-of-the-endangered-species-act-in-texas