News Release

Jane Hendron, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office: 760-431-9440 ext. 205

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will publish in the June 17, 2009, edition of the Federal Register, a revised final rule designating approximately 62,125 acres of land in San Diego and Riverside counties as critical habitat for the Quino checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino).

 An advance copy of the revised final rule is available online today at Federal Register Public Inspection, but it does not include maps.

This revised final rule was developed in response to a lawsuit filed against the Service by the Homebuilders Association of Northern California, et al., challenging the 2002 designation of 171,605 acres of critical habitat for the butterfly. In accordance with a settlement agreement stemming from the lawsuit, the Service published a proposed rule on January 17, 2008, to designate 98,487 acres of land as critical habitat.

The revised final designation of 62,125 acres of critical habitat is significantly less than what was originally designated in 2002, and what was proposed in 2008. However, this revised designation incorporates new scientific information about the butterfly’s distribution and habitat requirements, including host plants needed for ovipositing (egg laying) and larval development; and areas that support core occurrences of the butterfly. The revised rule also takes into account the completion of two Habitat Conservation Plans that provide for the conservation of the butterfly.

Nine separate areas are designated as critical habitat – 6 in Riverside County and 3 in San Diego County. About one-third of the designated land is federally owned and another third is privately owned. The remainder is under either State or local ownership.

Potential economic impacts associated with the revised designation of critical habitat for the butterfly are estimated to range from $13.1 to $50.4 million over the next 23 years (using a 7 percent discount rate).

The Quino checkerspot butterfly was once widely distributed throughout Orange, San Diego, and western Riverside counties, and in parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Loss of habitat, the introduction of non-native plants, and other factors dramatically reduced its habitat, resulting in the listing of the Quino checkerspot butterfly as an endangered species in 1997.

Two of the areas included in this revised critical habitat designation – Unit 7 (Bautista) and Unit 9 (La Posta/Campo) – were not known to be occupied by the butterfly at the time it was listed under the Act, but are within the overall historic geographic range of the butterfly, and contain all the habitat features essential to its conservation.

Unit 7 (13,880 acres) is near the town of Anza and falls within the boundaries of the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP). Although all other lands within the boundaries of the MSHCP are excluded from the final designation, 4,387 acres in Unit 7 that are owned by or under the jurisdiction of the MSHCP permittees are being designated as critical habitat. This area supports a core occurrence complex of the butterfly not identified at the time the MSHCP was completed in 2004; therefore, it was not fully addressed in the MSHCP’s conservation design for the butterfly.

The Service excluded critical habitat from land covered by the City of Chula Vista’s Subarea Plan under the San Diego County Multiple Species Conservation Program because the City has demonstrated its commitment to fulfill its conservation obligations. Based on impacts to national security, critical habitat was not designated on the San Diego Air Force Space Surveillance Station or on the La Posta Mountain Warfare Training Facility.

In light of disproportionate economic impacts associated with a critical habitat designation, tribal lands of the Cahuilla Band of Indians, the Ramona Band of Cahuilla Indians, and the Campo Band of Kumeyaay Indians were excluded from the final designation.

The official copy of the final rule and other information about the Quino checkerspot butterfly will be posted on June 17, 2009, at http://www.regulations.gov, or www.fws.gov/Carlsbad. For had copies of the final rule or economic analysis, please contact the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office at 760-431-9440.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov/