SANDPOINT — For a group of Sandpoint fourth-graders, making the Idaho giant salamander the state amphibian was a no-brainer.

After all, it has Idaho in its name and, when adult, has a pattern on its back that resembles the state’s Bitterroot Mountains. In addition, its habitat is mostly in Idaho and it looks pretty cool, the students said,

News that legislation to name the critter the state amphibian died in committee was disappointing, the fourth-graders said last week.

While Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden told lawmakers that adopting the salamander as a state symbol wouldn’t do anything in the way of encouraging federal protections, however, lawmakers remained wary.

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