A Stitch in Haste

Oh, sorry, that's geckos --

Protecting the California tiger salamander as a threatened species will cost the state $367 million in lost development opportunities over the next two decades, federal wildlife officials said Friday.

A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service analysis estimated the economic impact of designating about 382,000 acres in 20 California counties as the salamander's "critical habitat" where development would be restricted.
...
Scientists say the tiger salamander, a terrestrial amphibian that lives mostly underground in grasslands and woodlands, has lost 75 percent of its native habitat to urban sprawl and the invasion of nonnative species.

I like fragile ecosystems as much as the next nature-lover. But $367 million? In strictly economic terms, environmental and other regulatory takings like this make the Kelo eminent domain decision look like a bully kicking over a kid's sand castle at the beach. And don't get me started on historic preservation abuse.

I have an alternative habitat protection program for the California tiger salamander -- zoos.


Cute, but worth $367 million?