[Federal Register: December 22, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 245)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 71714-71722]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22de99-48]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AF83

 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Proposed 
Endangered Status for the Southern California Distinct Vertebrate 
Population Segment of the Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list 
the southern California distinct vertebrate population segment (DPS) of 
mountain yellow-legged frog (Rana muscosa) as endangered, pursuant to 
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In southern 
California, this DPS has been reduced to only a few isolated remnants 
in the San Gabriel, San Jacinto, and San Bernardino Mountains. 
Hypothesized causes of the decline include predation from introduced 
trout or possibly some other widespread environmental effects such as 
airborne contaminants. These effects have probably acted in combination 
to produce the decline. The chronology of the decline is not well 
documented, but it appears that a precipitous decline occurred over the 
last three or four decades. The decline went largely unnoticed and was 
not studied. In addition to predation from trout and other widespread 
factors, the few remaining frogs are now threatened by recreational 
suction dredging for gold and human activities at campgrounds and day 
use areas. The remnant populations are so small that they are now at 
risk from random genetic, demographic, and environmental effects as 
well. This proposed rule constitutes the 12-month finding on a petition 
to list the southern California population of mountain yellow-legged 
frog as threatened or endangered. This proposed rule, if made final, 
would implement the Federal protection and recovery provisions afforded 
by the Act for this DPS. We welcome data and comment from the public on 
this proposal.

DATES: You must submit any comments by February 22, 2000 and public 
hearing requests by February 7, 2000.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments and materials concerning this proposal 
to the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carlsbad Fish 
and Wildlife Office, 2730 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, California 
92008. You may inspect comments and materials received, by appointment, 
during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken Berg at the above address 
(telephone 760/431-9440).