External Affairs Program
Federal Register Notice (PDF)
Jim Nickles at 916/414-6572 or 916/501-6885 (cell)
LISTING
OF SIERRA NEVADA POPULATION OF MOUNTAIN
YELLOW-LEGGED FROG UNDER ESA FOUND WARRANTED BUT PRECLUDED
SACRAMENTO, California – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it has determined that the Sierra Nevada population of the mountain yellow-legged frog warrants protection under the Endangered Species Act, but that listing the species under the Act is precluded by the need to take other listing actions of a higher priority.
The Service will add this population of mountain yellow-legged frog to its list of candidate species and review the frog's status annually. When a "warranted but precluded" finding is made for a species, the Service classifies it as a candidate for listing. If the Service proposes the frog for listing in the future, the public will have an opportunity to comment.
The Service made the determination in response to a petition filed in February 2000 by the Center for Biological Diversity and the Pacific Rivers Council. The Service completed an initial review in October 2000 and concluded that the petition contained substantial information supporting a full study of the frog's status. The Service has completed a comprehensive review – known as a 12-month finding – and determined that there is sufficient scientific and commercial data to propose listing the species as endangered throughout its range. However, the Service is precluded from beginning work immediately on a listing proposal because its limited resources must be devoted to other, higher priority actions.
The Sierra Nevada population of the mountain yellow-legged frog is a separate, distinct population from the southern California population of the mountain yellow-legged frog, and comprises the remainder of the species' range. The Sierra Nevada population ranges from southern Plumas County to southern Tulare County, and extends into Nevada in the vicinity of Lake Tahoe and northward to the slopes of Mount Rose.
Mountain yellow-legged frog populations have declined by an estimated 50 to 80 percent throughout the Sierra Nevada. The 12-month finding reviewed available scientific studies and concluded that the stocking of non-native fish, disease, air pollution, and the effects of poorly-managed livestock grazing have negatively affected the frogs and their habitat.
The mountain yellow-legged
frog is among several native California amphibian species that are in
trouble. The California red-legged frog, arroyo toad, southern California
population of the mountain yellow-legged frog, and the Santa Barbara
and Sonoma County populations of the California tiger salamander are
already listed species.
The State of California considers the mountain yellow-legged frog a
species of special concern. California Sport Fishing Regulations include
the mountain yellow-legged frog as a protected species, one that may
not be taken or possessed at any time except under special permit from
the California Department of Fish and Game.
Amphibians worldwide appear to be in trouble, and are good "indicators" of significant environmental changes that may go initially undetected by humans. Amphibians breathe partially (and in some species, completely), through their skin, which is constantly exposed to the environment. Their bodies are much more vulnerable and sensitive to factors such as disease, pollution, toxic chemicals, radiation, and habitat destruction. The worldwide occurrences of amphibian declines and deformities could be an early warning of serious ecosystem imbalances that could affect human health.
Adult mountain yellow-legged frogs are approximately 2 to 3 inches in length. Their bellies and hind legs are often yellow or orange; the back has black or brown spots on a background of yellowish or reddish brown. The tadpoles are mottled brown and require multiple years before metamorphosing into frogs.
The Sierra Nevada population of the mountain yellow-legged frog inhabits lakes, ponds, springs and streams typically between 4,500 feet and 12,000 feet. A highly aquatic frog, it is rarely found more than several jumps from water. At lower elevations, it may be found in rocky stream beds and wet meadows surrounded by coniferous forest. At higher elevations, it may be found in alpine ponds and lakes as well as montane meadow streams.
A complete description of the Service's finding on the Sierra Nevada population of the mountain yellow-legged frog was published in today's Federal Register. More information on today's action, including a Q&A and photos, are available on the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office's Web page at http://www.fws.gov/sacramento.
Facts on the 12-Month Finding Petition to List
the Mountain Yellow-legged frog
Mountain yellow-legged frog (Rana muscosa) measures 2-3 1/8 inches in length. The underside of its hind legs and sometimes its entire belly are yellow or orange; its back is yellowish or reddish brown with black or brown spots.
Historically, the Sierra Nevada population of the mountain yellow-legged frog ranged from southern Plumas County to southern Tulare County in the Sierra Nevada. Typically, it is found at elevations above 6,000 feet, but it is known to range from 3,425 feet to 11, 967 feet. Sierra Nevada frogs usually are found in high elevation lakes and slow-moving portions of streams.
Up until the 1960s, the mountain yellow-legged frog was widely distributed and abundant across the Sierra Nevada. It is estimated that since then the population of the mountain yellow-legged frog has declined 50-80 percent. The reasons for this decline include such activities as non-native fish stocking, disease, pollution and livestock grazing.
The State of California considers the mountain yellow-legged frog a species of special concern. California Sport Fishing Regulations include the mountain yellow-legged frog as a protected species, one that may not be taken or possessed at any time except under special permit from the California Department of Fish and Game.
Questions
and Answers on the12-Month Finding Petition
to List
the Mountain Yellow-legged frog
What is the result of the 12-Month Petition Finding to add the mountain yellow-legged frog (Rana muscosa) to the List of Threatened and Endangered Species?
Listing is warranted but precluded by higher-priority activities, so the frog will be added to the list of candidate species.
Why should people care about the decline of this frog?
Many of California's native amphibians are in trouble. The California red-legged frog, arroyo toad, and the southern California population of the mountain yellow-legged frog are already listed species. The Santa Barbara population of the California tiger salamander was listed in 2000, and the Sonoma County population of the species was emergency listed as endangered last year and has been proposed for permanent listing. Amphibians worldwide appear to be in trouble. If frogs begin showing signs of distress, it could only be a matter of time before other species are affected, including humans. Amphibians are good "indicators" of significant environmental changes that may go initially undetected by humans. Humans breathe through lungs, which are inside our bodies and thus protected from direct contact with air and water. Amphibians, however, breathe partially (and in some cases, completely), through their skin, which is constantly exposed to the environment. Their bodies are much more vulnerable and sensitive to such factors as disease, pollution, toxic chemicals, radiation, and habitat destruction. The worldwide occurrences of amphibians declines and deformities could be an early warning to us of serious ecosystem imbalances.
What is a 12-month finding on a petition to list?
Section 4 of the Endangered Species Act requires that the Fish and Wildlife Service make a finding on whether a petition to list, delist or reclassify a species contains substantial information to indicate that the requested action may be warranted. The initial finding is to be made within 90 days, to the maximum extent practicable, after receipt of the petition and is to be published in the Federal Register. Within one year, the Service must make a further finding that the listing either is or is not warranted. A positive one-year finding can be incorporated into a proposed listing or, if a proposed listing is precluded by other listing activities, the proposal may be deferred.
Findings are based on information contained in the petition, supporting information submitted with the petition, and other information available to the Service at the time.
What is meant by substantial information?
When the Service evaluates a petition for substantiality, it considers the adequacy and reliability of the information supporting the action advocated by the petition. A "substantial" finding indicates the Service has determined that adequate and reliable information has been presented or is available that would lead a reasonable person to believe the petitioned action may be warranted.
What kinds of information are considered reliable?
Among the most reliable and credible sources are papers published in peer-reviewed scientific literature. Information provided by individuals with demonstrated expertise in the relevant subject area is also generally considered reliable. Anecdotal information or information from sources without established records of subject matter experience and expertise must be strongly corroborated to be considered substantial.
What happens now?
When a "warranted but precluded" finding is made for a species, the Service classifies it as a candidate for listing. The Service must document that it is making progress in listing, reclassifying or delisting species, and that the Service's decisions follow its listing priority system. The Service annually reviews warranted but precluded species for possible listing action.
If the Service proposes the mountain yellow-legged frog for listing as either threatened or endangered, the public would then have an opportunity to comment on the proposal before any final decision is made.
Contact
us: Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Room W-2605, Sacramento,
California 95825
Phone (916) 414-6565 ~ FAX (916) 414-6713 ~ email: fw1sacweb@fws.gov
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Department of Interior
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