Comment on FR Doc # 2012-19659

I support the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in its proposed listing of “endangered” status for the Austin Blind salamander, Jollyville Plateau salamander, Georgetown salamander, and Salado salamander (Docket No. FWS–R2–ES–2012–0035) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. My only concern is that the proposed rule does not go far enough with respect to critical habitat designations. Subsurface buffers cannot adequately address problems with water quality in karst landscapes if little attention is given to the larger recharge area, especially when that recharge area exists within the context of an urbanizing landscape. I urge the USFWS to expand the extent of the “surface critical habitat units” to include buffers surrounding major relevant sinkholes, loosing streams, and other recharge features. These recharge features should qualify as “Specific areas outside the geographical area occupied by the species at the time it is listed, upon a determination that such areas are essential for the conservation of the species”.