Meanwhile, the fact that the salamander has survived for millennia despite regular cleanings, numerous floods, and millions of swimmers, goes unsaid. While both sides claim they want to do what is best for the salamander, neither side looks particularly good. Both look petty and motivated primarily by political gain. Meanwhile, swimmers are taking it in the trunks. Large sections of the pool have been closed.
Buoys prevent swimmers from using the beach area on the north side.
Ugly orange cones line the sidewalk. The barriers make the pool far less enjoyable and far less safe. The shallow end continues to be dangerously slick. The ultimate irony may be that the Greens have argued for years that getting federal protection for the salamander was the best way to preserve the pool. In the long run, though, that same federal protection may be the thing that keeps the Greens and everyone else from enjoying Barton Springs.