In the way of a 3100-acre wind turbine project is 25 acres that is home to the California Tiger Salamander. Robert Moler with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says usually when an endangered species blocks a project, the project manager gets a permit that allows the project to go forward and the habitat to be destroyed. The permit is predicated on the commitment that land will be purchased elsewhere and set aside, even if the land has none of the particular species on it. But this time, any salamander spotted will get a special escort out of harm's way.
MOLER: "A Fish and Wildlife Service biologist would move the individual salamanders and release them into a nearby area that would be suitable habitat for the salamander."
The salamander is not viewed as a threat to other species in its new home. As many as 50 turbines could provide wind power for the project. Public comment on it is being accepted from now until March 10.
