The federal government's proposal to set aside nearly 1,800 acres for the endangered Salt Creek tiger beetle proved unpopular at a public hearing.

Everyone who testified at Tuesday's meeting in Lincoln criticized the plan to set aside land in Lancaster and Saunders counties for the beetle's habitat.

“There's many reasons why a Wetlands can benefit society, but I have yet to have anybody explain to me how 260 Tiger Beetles are going to help our kids in the future, lower the debt, or provide jobs,” said Joe Hampton, Hampton Enterprises.

“I think it's a big waste of the public’s resources. Do we not have any higher priorities than trying to save 260 Beetles? How many jobs will it provide? How many taxes will it pay? What will it do for the overall economy? The only thing I can conclude is that it will increase an ever-increasing governmental debt, which our kids are going to have to pay,” Hampton said.

The half-inch-long Salt Creek tiger beetle is considered one of the rarest insects in the United States. It was listed as endangered in October 2005. It is metallic brown to dark-olive green and lives in rare saline wetlands found in eastern Nebraska.

“What happens then is that the Federal government will provide funding toward research on the habitat variables and that will help us learn how we can we manage those Saline Wetlands better for the benefit of the beetle ultimately to hopefully recover the insect,” said Robert Harms, biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Loss of saline wetland and stream habitats and changes in hydrology are blamed for the decline of the species.

Surveys done last year showed a total population of 263 beetles.