The Santa Maria Public Airport will set aside 365 acres for California tiger salamanders, invest $1 million toward creating an on-site living laboratory and pay $5 million for broader efforts to benefit the endangered species.

After months of negotiations, airport officials recently reached a settlement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. 

The pact resolves allegations that the airport allowed 417 acres of breeding habitat for the protected amphibian to be converted into agricultural land before February 2022 without permission from the agencies.

Regulators contend that the switch included removal of vernal pool, or seasonal pond, ultimately affecting salamander reproduction, which is deemed critical for recovery of the species. 

“While this has been a challenging process, we are focused on moving forward,” said Martin Pehl, airport general manager, adding that it effectively will create “a living laboratory.”

“This agreement provides clarity and certainty, allowing us to concentrate on our primary mission of maintaining a safe and efficient airport. At the same time, it reaffirms our commitment to environmental stewardship through meaningful conservation efforts,” Pehl said.

Setting aside the land will provide a “breeding and rearing facility” for what is known as the “West Santa Mara Meta Population.” The 365 acres will allow academic research and environmental education.

The $5 million will go toward mitigation lands aimed at the wider conservation efforts for the species. 

“CDFW is pleased to have reached this agreement with the airport, and our FWS partners to preserve this population. We appreciate the support of the airport’s board to resolve this quickly and amicably,” state wildlife officials said.

Federal Fish and Wildlife Service officials did not respond to a request for comment.

Without a resolution, the airport faced a lawsuit, civil penalties and continued stalled plans to develop other vacant land near Highway 135.

Because of the allegations, the Federal Aviation Administration suspended Santa Maria from receiving federal Airport Improvement Program grant funds critical for costly runway updates and other projects.

“This agreement will remedy that, and we’ll be able to re-engage with the FAA,” Pehl added. 

Land to Serve as Living Laboratory

The land designated for tiger salamander conservation sits on the southwest corner of the airport, west of Blosser Road, and has been largely ignored for decades. It’s filled with eucalyptus trees that must be thinned while guarding another protected species — monarch butterflies.

The agreement also calls for the airport to implement more than $1 million in actions, including surveying the site in the fall and winter regarding monarch butterflies before undertaking any eucalyptus tree removal. Up to 20 acres of eucalyptus trees will be removed under the plan.

Other aspects of the detailed plan require genetic testing of the California tiger salamanders, construction of three new salamander ponds, creation of a grazing management plan and control of invasive species.

The Center for Biological Diversity threatened in 2022 to sue over the accusation.

“Santa Barbara County is lucky to have California tiger salamanders live and breed here, but these salamanders are struggling. We’re pleased the airport has worked out a way to resolve their serious violations of the Endangered Species Act in a way that brings real benefits to the species,” said Tiffany Yap, a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Conserving lands, supporting research, and increasing public education will help these adorable amphibians survive and inspire future generations.”

In the next year, the airport must craft a Habitat Management and Restoration Plan, which will involve a public process, Pehl added.

Efforts will focus on actions to enhance the habitat for salamanders. For instance, grazing cattle on the land can be beneficial since hooves create underground areas for the amphibian.

The $5 million must be paid in four phases, with $2 million within the first 60 days of the agreement followed by $1 million annually for the next three years to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for a “California Tiger Salamander Mitigation and Conservation Account.” 

Under the pact, both state and federal agencies agreed to process any proposed requests for projects planned at the airport, which has sought to develop vacant land south of the airfield.

Both also agreed not to ask any enforcement agency to impose a civil penalty, or seek to impose any criminal fine or penalty for tiger salamander incidents before February 2022. 

For nearly four decades, the airport district has proposed developing underutilized land to help boost revenue for the special district. The site to be set aside for tiger salamander conservation had been eyed for a golf course, although that aspect of the project has been dropped.

“This agreement not only ensures the well-being of our local ecology but the continuation of critical projects that will position us for future success and growth,” board president Nash Moreno sad.