Federal Conservation Status On April 30, 1997 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) added the Barton Springs Salamander (Eurycea sosorum) to the list of endangered and threatened wildlife which receive federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. In proposing the listing of E. sosorum, the USFWS cited the following concerns:
"The primary threats to this species are degradation of the quality and quantity of water that feeds Barton Springs due to urban expansion over the Barton Springs watershed. Also of concern is disturbance to the salamander's surface habitat in the pools where it occurs. This action implements Federal protection provided by the Act for the Barton Springs salamander." (USFWS, 1997