Combs Fights Sand Dune Lizard
By: Mycah Glover
Updated: October 12, 2011
You can call it the DSL, the dunes sagebrush lizard or the sand dune lizard. But anyway you put it, most people would agree it spells bad news for the Permian Basin.
Texas Comptroller Susan Combs was discussing the reptile today at the Midland County Republican Women's luncheon at Midland Country Club.
She says that back in 2009, the Texas legislature made the comptroller's office the lead agency in the state to deal with the endangered species act. Today we understand the reason why. These species that could potentially be listed, could have a major impact on our state's economy. And because of that, here lately, the comptroller has been very busy.
The sand dune lizard is one of 111 species that could potentially be listed in Texas. And now, Combs and other state leaders are working around the clock to try and keep it from happening.
"I am very concerned. I just met with some folks this morning, and i said give me data please. The Permian Basin Petroleum Association...I said I need data. Feed me, feed me. I can do macro. The economy in the Permian Basin...Ector, Midland, etc. But, I said, I want micro. I want to know for a particular company, what does it mean for companies and their families if, in fact, they're not allowed to drill," says Combs.
Combs says the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is depending solely on the information that is being brought to them by environmental groups. And so, it's up to her agency and others against these listings to fight it.
There's a lot more to know about these species, where they live, and what you can do to help keep them from getting listed. She has all that information compiled on a special website - http://www.keepingtexasfirst.org
Texas Comptroller Susan Combs was discussing the reptile today at the Midland County Republican Women's luncheon at Midland Country Club.
She says that back in 2009, the Texas legislature made the comptroller's office the lead agency in the state to deal with the endangered species act. Today we understand the reason why. These species that could potentially be listed, could have a major impact on our state's economy. And because of that, here lately, the comptroller has been very busy.
The sand dune lizard is one of 111 species that could potentially be listed in Texas. And now, Combs and other state leaders are working around the clock to try and keep it from happening.
"I am very concerned. I just met with some folks this morning, and i said give me data please. The Permian Basin Petroleum Association...I said I need data. Feed me, feed me. I can do macro. The economy in the Permian Basin...Ector, Midland, etc. But, I said, I want micro. I want to know for a particular company, what does it mean for companies and their families if, in fact, they're not allowed to drill," says Combs.
Combs says the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is depending solely on the information that is being brought to them by environmental groups. And so, it's up to her agency and others against these listings to fight it.
There's a lot more to know about these species, where they live, and what you can do to help keep them from getting listed. She has all that information compiled on a special website - http://www.keepingtexasfirst.org
