Frog Image Declining Amphibian Population Task Force, California and Nevada Working Group

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I. Legal/Administrative Actions

A. California red-legged frog (rana aurora)

1.    Critical habitat challenge by the Northern California Homebuilders Association and others (intervention by Pacific Rivers Council [PRC], Center for Biological Diversity [CBD], Center for Sierra Nevada Conservation, and Sierra Club);

2.   So. Cal. national forest settlement (CBD);

3.   EPA pesticide registration 60 day notice sent--lawsuit pending (CBD, Californians Against Toxics);

4.   CBD challenge to Gateway Valley golf course located in frog habitat (in Orinda adjacent to Robert Sibley Regional Park);

5.   Blue Rock Country Club challenge (CBD).

B. Mountain yellow-legged frog (rana muscosa)

1.    Southern California
a.    ESA petition several years ago by the Biodiversity Legal Fund (BLF) followed by litigation to force petition findings (BLF, CBD); settlement to compel final listing due June of this year (CBD).

2.    Sierra Nevada

a.    ESA petition filed in spring of 2000 followed by a successful lawsuit to compel completion of the listing process by Jan. 2003 (CBD, PRC).

C. Yosemite toad (bufo canorus)

1.    ESA petition filed in spring of 2000 followed by a successful lawsuit to compel completion of the listing process by Nov. 2002 (CBD, PRC).

 

D. Arroyo toad (bufo californicus)

1.   So. Cal. national forest settlement (CBD);

2.   Industry lawsuit to knock out critical habitat designation (CBD will intervene);

3.   Lawsuits in So Cal regarding the Newhall Ranch development (so far unsuccessful).


E. California tiger salamander (ambystoma californiense)

1.   CESA petition rejected--CBD resubmitting the petition this year;

2.   Emergency ESA petition for Sonoma DPS of filed in June 2000--USFWS is processing the petition but further delays may prompt a lawsuit by CBD.


II. Pending Actions

A. Foothill yellow-legged frog (rana boylii)

1.    ESA petition to list Sierra Nevada and Central Coast populations (PRC, CBD).

B. Relict leopard frog (rana onca)

1.   ESA petition to list Utah and Nevada populations (CBD).

 

III. Of Interest

Simpson Timber Company of California is applying for a section 10 take permit (a.k.a. Habitat Conservation Plan) that includes the southern torrent salamander (rhyacotriton variegates) and the tailed frog (ascaphus truei).


Contacts for further legal questions:
Deanna Spooner, PRC: deanna@pacrivers.org
Brendan Cummings, CBD: bcummings@biologicaldiversity.org