Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Endangered Status for the California Red-legged Frog

Resumo

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposes to determine the California red-legged frog (Rana aurora draytonii) as endangered pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The California red-legged frog is found primarily in wetlands and streams in coastal drainages of central California. It has been extirpated from 75 percent of its former range. This subspecies is threatened throughout its remaining range by a wide variety of human impacts, including urban encroachment, construction of reservoirs and water diversions, introduction of exotic predators and competitors, and stochastic events. This proposed rule, if made final, would extend the Act's protection to the California red-legged frog. The Service seeks data and comments from the public on this proposed rule.