Public comment sought on proposal to change arroyo toad’s endangered status

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reopened the comment period on its proposal to reclassify the arroyo toad from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Comments will be accepted starting Friday, Oct. 17 through Nov. 17.

The federal agency in March proposed upgrading the toad’s threatened status due to range expansion in the past 20 years, and reduction of threats to the species’ survival as a result of successful conservation efforts.

A species is listed as endangered when it is at risk of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. A threatened designation means it is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

The small, stocky arroyo toad inhabits coastal and desert streams and rivers in central and southern California, from Monterey County southward into northern Baja California, Mexico.

Historical threats to the species included extensive habitat loss resulting from construction and operation of dams and reservoirs, roads, agricultural and urban development, and recreational development such as campgrounds. Other threats included mining and prospecting, livestock grazing, and alteration of natural fire regimes.

At the time the species was listed, its range-wide population was estimated to have declined by 76 percent, with 22 river basins in California supporting varying numbers of toads. Current information indicates the species is present in 25 river basins in California and 10 basins in Baja California.

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and Fort Hunter Liggett have completed Integrated Natural Resource Management Plans that provide conservation benefits to the species. Additionally, all four national forests in southern California – Angeles, Cleveland, San Bernardino and Los Padres – have comprehensive land management plans which identify actions that can be taken to reduce threats to the toad.

To submit comments:

Online: Use Docket No. FWS–R8–ES–2014–0007 at the Federal eRulemaking Portal.
U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS–R8–ES–2014–0007; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222; Arlington, VA, 22203.