http://www.fws.gov/ventura/newsroom/news_feed.cfm Available News Releases on the Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office Website en Thu, 20 Jun 2013 00:00:45 GMT http://www.fws.gov/graphics/logo2005.gif http://www.fws.gov/ Offical U.S. Fish and Wildlife Logo release.cfm?id=1 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today opened a 60-day public comment period as part of the status reviews of 52 protected species in California and 6 in Nevada. Wed, 14 Feb 2007 07:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=1 release.cfm?id=2 A draft environmental assessment (EA) proposing methods to reduce raven predation on the desert tortoise and other reptiles and mammals throughout the deserts of southern California has been released for public review and comment by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Thu, 05 Apr 2007 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=2 release.cfm?id=3 Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne today announced more than $68 million in grants to 21 states and one territory to support conservation planning and acquisition of vital habitat for threatened and endangered species across the nation. The grants, awarded through the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund, will benefit species ranging from butterflies to bull trout. Tue, 15 May 2007 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=3 release.cfm?id=4 Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne today announced grants totaling more than $7.2 million will go to private landowners and groups in 36 states for conservation projects to benefit endangered, threatened and other at-risk species through the Private Stewardship Grants Program. This year's grants will benefit native species ranging from the Santa Catalina Island fox in California to the Nashville crayfish in Tennessee. Tue, 15 May 2007 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=4 release.cfm?id=5 In compliance with federal court orders, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today published a clarification of the economic and non-economic exclusions in the 2005 final rule designating critical habitat for 15 vernal pool species. Thu, 31 May 2007 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=5 release.cfm?id=6 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today released a draft analysis estimating the potential costs related to the conservation of areas proposed for marbled murrelet critical habitat at $69.4 million to $1.4 billion over the next 20 years. Tue, 26 Jun 2007 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=6 release.cfm?id=7 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, today, published a proposed rule to designate approximately 417,577 acres as critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the federally endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis californiana). Areas proposed include portions of Tuolumne, Mono, Fresno, Inyo and Tulare counties in California. Wed, 25 Jul 2007 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=7 release.cfm?id=8 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today released a draft economic analysis that estimates costs associated with the conservation of Yadon’s piperia (Piperia yadonii), an endangered perennial orchid found in Monterey County. Tue, 07 Aug 2007 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=8 release.cfm?id=9 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has completed a cooperative plan to recover the Pacific Coast population of the Western Snowy plover, a tiny shore bird, to a sustainable level where it can be removed from the federally protected category. Mon, 24 Sep 2007 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=9 release.cfm?id=10 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a notice in today's Federal Register announcing the availability of the draft economic analysis for the November 2006 proposed rule to designate critical habitat for tidewater goby. The draft analysis estimates potential costs associated with conservation activities on approximately 10,003 acres proposed for the critical habitat designation to be $25 million over the next 20 years. Tue, 25 Sep 2007 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=10 release.cfm?id=11 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) today announced the completion of 5-year reviews for 20 species in California. Of the reviews being announced today, two are recommended for delisting, four for downlisting from endangered to threatened and 14 for no change in status. Tue, 09 Oct 2007 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=11 release.cfm?id=12 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a notice in today's Federal Register announcing the availability of the draft economic analysis for the December 2006 proposed rule to designate critical habitat for Monterey spineflower. The draft analysis estimates potential costs associated with conservation activities on approximately 11,032 acres proposed for critical habitat designation to be $17 million over the next 20 years. Tue, 16 Oct 2007 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=12 release.cfm?id=13 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today designated 2,117 acres as critical habitat for Yadon’s piperia (Piperia yadonii), a perennial orchid found in Monterey County, California. The plant is currently listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). The final rule was published in today’s Federal Register. Wed, 24 Oct 2007 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=13 release.cfm?id=14 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced it has designated 11,055 acres as critical habitat for Monterey spineflower (Chorizanthe pungens var. pungens) in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. The plant is currently listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). Wed, 09 Jan 2008 07:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=14 release.cfm?id=17 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced that it has reviewed a petition to list the Amargosa River population of the Mojave fringe-toed lizard (Uma scoparia) and concluded the petition contains substantial information to indicate that listing may be warranted. This particular population of Mojave fringe-toed lizard occurs in the Amargosa River area of San Bernardino County. Thu, 10 Jan 2008 07:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=17 release.cfm?id=18 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it has designated approximately 10,003 acres of critical habitat for the federally endangered tidewater goby, a small fish that inhabits brackish waters along the west coast of California. Thu, 31 Jan 2008 07:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=18 release.cfm?id=19 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) today announced the availability of the draft economic analysis for a proposed rule to designate critical habitat for Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis californiana), a federally threatened species. Areas proposed as critical habitat include portions of Tuolumne, Mono, Fresno, Inyo, and Tulare counties in California. The draft economic analysis estimates potential costs for conservation activities to be approximately $26.7 million and costs associated solely with the designation of critical habitat to be approximately $135,000 over a 20-year period in areas proposed as critical habitat. Tue, 05 Feb 2008 07:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=19 release.cfm?id=20 Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today celebrated the brown pelican’s remarkable recovery from the brink of extinction by formally proposing to remove the remaining protected populations of the bird along the Gulf and Pacific coasts, and in the Caribbean, and Central and South America from protection under the Endangered Species Act. Kempthorne announced the proposal at the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge during a joint appearance with Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. Fri, 08 Feb 2008 07:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=20 release.cfm?id=21 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has completed a cooperative plan to recover the Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep to a sustainable level where it can be removed from the federally protected category. Wed, 13 Feb 2008 07:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=21 release.cfm?id=22 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is requesting information as part of the status reviews of 58 protected species in California and Nevada. A list of 39 status reviews completed in 2007 and early 2008 is also included in this Federal Register notice. Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=22 release.cfm?id=23 Following extensive public review, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has decided on the most effective lethal and non lethal methods to remove or deter common ravens that prey on the desert tortoise—a federal and state-listed threatened species—throughout the southern California desert in parts of Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial counties. Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:30:00 GMT release.cfm?id=23 release.cfm?id=24 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced it will conduct a status review of the Mono Basin area population of greater sage-grouse to determine if it warrants federal protection as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).  Mon, 28 Apr 2008 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=24 release.cfm?id=25 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the completion of 5-year reviews for 14 species in California. Of the reviews being announced today, the Service has recommended downlisting for the San Clemente Island larkspur from endangered to threatened. The Service has recommended no change in status for the 13 other species reviewed. Tue, 13 May 2008 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=25 release.cfm?id=26 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced its determination that a petition has presented sufficient information indicating that listing under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) may be warranted for the ashy storm-petrel (Oceanodroma homochroa), a California seabird. The Service is initiating a status review to determine if listing the species is warranted. Wed, 14 May 2008 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=26 release.cfm?id=27 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today released a stock assessment report for the southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis)off the California coast. The report was developed in accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Tue, 10 Jun 2008 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=27 release.cfm?id=28 Strategies for recovering the threatened desert tortoise are the subject of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Draft Revised Recovery Plan for the Mojave population of the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). Notice of availability of the Draft Recovery Plan will publish in the August 4, 2008, Federal Register and opens a 90-day public comment period that will end on November 3, 2008. Fri, 01 Aug 2008 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=28 release.cfm?id=29 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), will publish a final rule designating approximately 417,577 acres of land in portions of Tuolumne, Mono, Fresno, Inyo, and Tulare counties in California, for the Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis californiana), a federally listed endangered species in the Federal Register on August 5, 2008. The Service will also announce the final revision of taxonomy for the Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep from a distinct population segment of California bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis californiana) to a subspecies, (Ovis canadensis sierrae), based on recent published information. Mon, 04 Aug 2008 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=29 release.cfm?id=30 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) today announced it has proposed 38,447 acres of critical habitat for La Graciosa thistle in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. The federally-endangered native California plant grows in coastal dunes and wetland areas. Tue, 05 Aug 2008 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=30 release.cfm?id=32 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) today opened a 60-day comment period on a new plan to designate 1.8 million acres as critical habitat for the threatened California red-legged frog (Rana aurora draytonii), an area that is 300 per cent larger than a 2006 designation for the species. Sat, 06 Sep 2008 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=32 release.cfm?id=31 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) today announced the completion of 5-year reviews for 16 species in California. Of the reviews being announced today, the Service has recommended downlisting the Lane Mountain milk-vetch from endangered to threatened. The Service has recommended no change in status for the 15 other species reviewed. Wed, 10 Sep 2008 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=31 release.cfm?id=33 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) today announced the availability of the final stock assessment report for the southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis), which shows that the population has grown slowly, on average, over the past five years. Tue, 30 Dec 2008 07:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=33 release.cfm?id=34 A draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Tehachapi Uplands Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) is available for public comment, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today. Fri, 23 Jan 2009 07:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=34 release.cfm?id=35 The U.S. Fish and Wildife Service (Service) is announcing an opportunity for further public input on a draft plan that would limit the environmental impacts to threatened and endangered species of planned residential development and ranch activities on Tejon Ranch in southern Kern County, California. Tue, 03 Feb 2009 07:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=35 release.cfm?id=36 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) today announced the availability of a draft economic analysis (DEA) for the August 6, 2008, proposal to revise critical habitat for the endangered La Graciosa thistle, which grows in coastal dunes and wetland areas in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. Mon, 09 Mar 2009 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=36 release.cfm?id=37 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is requesting information as part of the status reviews of 58 protected species in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. A list of 42 status reviews completed in mid to late 2008 is also included in today’s Federal Register notice. Wed, 25 Mar 2009 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=37 release.cfm?id=38 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reviewed a petition to add the Tehachapi slender salamander (Batrachoseps stebbinsi)to the federal list of threatened and endangered species and concluded the petition contains substantial information to indicate that listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) may be warranted. The Tehachapi slender salamander occurs in Kern County in the Tehachapi mountain range and in a canyon in the southern foothills of the Sierra. Wed, 22 Apr 2009 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=38 release.cfm?id=39 To give members of the public further opportunity for review and comment on a draft habitat conservation plan and draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a planned residential and commercial development and ranch activities on Tejon Ranch in Kern County, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has extended the public comment period for 60 days until July 7, 2009. Tue, 05 May 2009 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=39 release.cfm?id=40 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today the completion of a 5-year status review of the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus), a rare seabird native to the coasts of Washington, Oregon and California protected as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=40 release.cfm?id=41 The western population of the northern leopard frog may warrant federal protection as a threatened or endangered species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced today. The announcement is the result of an initial review of a petition seeking to protect the northern leopard frog throughout its 19 western states range under the Endangered Species Act. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=41 release.cfm?id=42 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) today announced that the ashy storm-petrel, a seabird that lives off the California coast, does not warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Service made this determination in what is known as a 12-month finding. The Service based its conclusion for the not warranted finding after a thorough review of the potential threats, and all available scientific and commercial information. The finding will be published in the Federal Register Wednesday, August 19. Tue, 18 Aug 2009 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=42 release.cfm?id=43 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is requesting public comment on the draft post-delisting monitoring plan of the brown pelican. The agency first proposed removing the remaining protected populations of brown pelicans from the list of threatened and endangered species in February 2008. If the brown pelican is removed from protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), it will be monitored for a decade, from 2010 to 2020, under a draft post-delisting monitoring plan released today. Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=43 release.cfm?id=44 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) today revised an economic impact analysis of its 2008 proposal to designate 1.8 million acres of critical habitat for the threatened California red-legged frog (Rana aurora draytonii). Release of the analysis opens a new 30-day comment period on the entire critical habitat proposal and the economic assessment. Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=44 release.cfm?id=45 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is re-proposing 109,110 acres of critical habitat for the endangered arroyo toad (Anaxyrus californicus) in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and San Diego counties, and opening a 60-day public comment period, which ends on December 14, 2009. Fri, 09 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=45 release.cfm?id=46 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the completion of 5-year reviews for 51 species in California, Nevada, and southern Oregon. Of the reviews being announced today, the Service has recommended uplisting the Bay checkerspot butterfly from threatened to endangered. The Service has recommended downlisting the arroyo toad, Modoc sucker, and Santa Cruz cypress from endangered to threatened. The Service has recommended no change in status for the 47 other species reviewed. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=46 release.cfm?id=47 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) today announced it has designated 24,103 acres of critical habitat for La Graciosa thistle (Cirsium loncholepis) in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. The federally-endangered native California plant grows in coastal dunes and wetland areas. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=47 release.cfm?id=49 Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Tom Strickland and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Sam Hamilton today announced that the brown pelican, a species once decimated by the pesticide DDT, has recovered and is being removed from the list of threatened and endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=49 release.cfm?id=48 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released a draft Safe Harbor Agreement aimed at assisting the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy in enhancing habitat for the California red-legged frog (Rana aurora draytonii), least Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus), and southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) in the Ventura River watershed, near Ojai, Calif. Wed, 09 Dec 2009 07:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=48 release.cfm?id=50 Citing continued declines in the population of marbled murrelets in Washington, Oregon and California, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said today the small seabird continues to need the protection of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and will retain its status as a threatened species. Wed, 20 Jan 2010 07:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=50 release.cfm?id=51 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) today designated 1,636,609 acres as critical habitat for the threatened California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii), based on the most recent relevant research. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=51 release.cfm?id=52 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing 14,069 acres as critical habitat in a revised designation for the endangered Lane Mountain milk-vetch in the west Mojave Desert, Calif. Wed, 31 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=52 release.cfm?id=53 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced that a petition to protect the Mohave ground squirrel under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) contains substantial information indicating that listing the species may be warranted. Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=53 release.cfm?id=54 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today released an economic impact analysis on a 2009 revised proposal of critical habitat for the federally-endangered arroyo toad (Anaxyrus californicus). Release of the analysis opens a new 30-day comment period on the revised critical habitat proposal and the economic assessment. Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=54 release.cfm?id=55 The reward is now up to $9,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the shooting death of a southern sea otter in June of this year. Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:30:00 GMT release.cfm?id=55 release.cfm?id=56 Lane Mountain milk-vetch, a perennial herb in the pea family that grows only in the west Mojave Desert north of the city of Barstow, California, is the subject of a draft economic analysis that is available for public comment, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today. Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=56 release.cfm?id=57 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced it will conduct in-depth status reviews for 6 California species currently protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). A notice announcing the reviews and the opening of a 60-day comment period will publish in the Federal Register on January 19, 2011. Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=57 release.cfm?id=62 A small, buff-colored toad whose soft, high whistled trill is often mistaken for an insect’s call is the subject of a final revised critical habitat designation announced today by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=62 release.cfm?id=65 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reviewed a petition to list the unsilvered fritillary—a butterfly native to California’s central coast—and has concluded the petition does not contain substantial scientific data that listing the species is warranted. Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:30:00 GMT release.cfm?id=65 release.cfm?id=66 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to revise the critical habitat designation for the Pacific Coast population of the western snowy plover, a threatened species protected under the Endangered Species Act. The proposal includes 68 critical habitat units totaling 28,261, acres along the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington. Public comments will be accepted for the next 60 days. Mon, 21 Mar 2011 14:15:00 GMT release.cfm?id=66 release.cfm?id=67 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is designating 14,069 acres of revised critical habitat for the endangered Lane Mountain milk-vetch in the west Mojave Desert, Calif. The final critical habitat acreage is the same amount of acres proposed as critical habitat by the Service in April 2010.  Thu, 19 May 2011 20:30:00 GMT release.cfm?id=67 release.cfm?id=68 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is requesting information as part of the status reviews of 53 protected species in California, Nevada, and the Klamath Basin of Oregon. Tue, 24 May 2011 14:53:00 GMT release.cfm?id=68 release.cfm?id=69 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will hold the first of three public hearings on September 27, 2011, regarding the Service’s proposal to end the 24-year-old southern sea otter translocation program in California. Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:45:00 GMT release.cfm?id=69 release.cfm?id=70 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it has completed a status review of the Amargosa River population of the Mojave fringe-toed lizard (Uma scoparia) and concluded based on genetic evidence that the population is not a distinct and separate population of the Mojave fringe-toed lizard and as such cannot be considered for listing as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=70 release.cfm?id=71 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it has completed a status review of the Mohave ground squirrel (Spermophilus mohavensis) and has determined it does not warrant protection as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=71 release.cfm?id=72 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it has completed a status review of the Tehachapi slender salamander (Batrachoseps stebbinsi) and has determined it does not warrant listing as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT release.cfm?id=72 release.cfm?id=73 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it is proposing to designate 12,157 acres of revised critical habitat for the federally endangered tidewater goby, a small fish that inhabits brackish waters along the west coast of California. Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=73 release.cfm?id=74 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the public comment period on the Service’s August 2011 proposal to end the 24-year-old southern sea otter translocation program in California will be reopened on November 4, 2011 for 15 days. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=74 release.cfm?id=75 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it has approved an interim programmatic habitat conservation plan for small development projects in dense residential areas of Santa Cruz County, California. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 06:11:00 GMT release.cfm?id=75 release.cfm?id=76 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) today announced the availability of a draft Economic Analysis of the March 22, 2011, proposed revision of critical habitat for the Pacific Coast population of the western snowy plover. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=76 release.cfm?id=77 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is announcing an opportunity for public input on two draft documents that evaluate and would limit the environmental impacts to threatened and endangered species of planned residential development and ranch activities on Tejon Ranch in southern Kern County, California. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=77 release.cfm?id=78 More than 20 years ago, the owner of Swallow Creek Ranch in San Luis Obispo County began to replace nonnative grasses with native plants and bring back riparian vegetation along Swallow Creek. Today, cliff swallows breed and nest on the property and a large colony of Monarch butterflies winter in the ranch’s eucalyptus grove. Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=78 release.cfm?id=79 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has entered into a Safe Harbor Agreement with the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District to benefit four federally listed species at the 4,300-acre Palo Corona Regional Park in Monterey County, California. Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=79 release.cfm?id=80 A draft stock assessment report for the federally threatened southern sea otter off the California coast will be available tomorrow, May 9, 2012. Tue, 08 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=80 release.cfm?id=81 The Service was petitioned by the Pacific Legal Foundation to delist the Inyo California towhee and to reclassify the arroyo toad, Modoc sucker, Indian Knob mountain balm, Lane Mountain milk-vetch, and Santa Cruz cypress from endangered to threatened under the ESA. The Service finds that the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the change in status of these six species may be warranted. Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=81 release.cfm?id=82 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the availability of a draft economic analysis on the 2011 revised proposal of critical habitat for the federally endangered tidewater goby. Mon, 23 Jul 2012 21:30:00 GMT release.cfm?id=82 release.cfm?id=83 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today released a Draft Recovery Plan for Four Subspecies of Island Fox (Urocyon littoralis) for public review and comment. Thu, 13 Sep 2012 06:09:00 GMT release.cfm?id=83 release.cfm?id=84 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public comment on its proposal to issue a permit (Incidental Harrassment Authorization or IHA) that would authorize harrassment of southern sea otters incidental to a 2.5 month seismic survey in the vicinity of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCCP) and known offshore fault zones near the DCCP in San Luis Obispo County, California. Tue, 02 Oct 2012 18:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=84 release.cfm?id=85 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Tehachapi Uplands Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) and Implementing Agreement (IA). The Final EIS and IA were prepared in response to an application from Tejon Ranch Corporation for a permit authorizing the incidental take of 27 plants and animals including four species protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Fri, 26 Oct 2012 13:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=85 release.cfm?id=86 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today the availability of a final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) regarding the translocation and management of southern sea otters. Thu, 08 Nov 2012 07:11:00 GMT release.cfm?id=86 release.cfm?id=87 SACRAMENTO –The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced it will accept comments through Dec. 28, 2012 regarding a status review of the ashy storm-petrel throughout its range in the United States. Wed, 28 Nov 2012 07:11:00 GMT release.cfm?id=87 release.cfm?id=88 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the availability of a Final Rule and Record of Decision to terminate the 25-year old southern sea otter translocation program. The decision means that sea otters will be able to continue to expand their range naturally into southern California waters in accordance with the recommendations of the 2003 revised southern sea otter recovery plan. Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=88 release.cfm?id=89 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today the final revised designation of critical habitat for the federally endangered tidewater goby. In total, approximately 12,156 acres in Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Sonoma, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties, California, fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. Tue, 05 Feb 2013 16:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=89 release.cfm?id=90 Yreka, Calif., — The US Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the opening of an information collection period regarding the status of the fisher throughout the range of its West Coast Distinct Population Segment (DPS) in the United States. Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=90 release.cfm?id=91 SACRAMENTO: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the completion of 5-year reviews for 27 plant and animal species in California and Nevada. Of the reviews being announced today, the Service is recommending delisting the island night lizard, and downlisting the San Clemente Island Indian paintbrush and San Clemente Island broom from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). No change in status is recommended for 24 species reviewed. Fri, 29 Mar 2013 18:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=91 release.cfm?id=93 Sacramento - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is proposing to list the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog and the northern distinct population segment of the mountain yellow-legged frog as endangered and the Yosemite toad as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Service is also proposing to designate critical habitat for these three amphibian species in California: 1,105,400 acres across 16 counties for the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, 221,498 acres across two counties for the mountain yellow-legged frog, and 750,926 acres across seven counties for the Yosemite toad. With overlapping areas, the total proposed critical habitat for the three amphibians is 1,831,820 acres. Most of the proposed critical habitat is on federal lands. Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:30:00 GMT release.cfm?id=93 release.cfm?id=94 Tejon Ranch, Calif. -- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe joined Tejon Ranch Company President and CEO Robert A. Stine and representatives from other partner agencies and conservation advocates at the company’s headquarters today to formally announce the successful completion and Service approval of a Habitat Conservation Plan that will provide specific protections for 25 species, including the California condor, while permitting limited development and other land use activities on designated ranch lands. Fri, 10 May 2013 19:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=94 release.cfm?id=95 Sacramento: The story of endangered species conservation in the United States over the past 40 years involves many heroes. Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) recognized 61 of these heroes for their outstanding efforts to conserve and protect endangered and threatened fish, wildlife and plants by designating them 2012 Recovery Champions. Among the award winners honored for their work from the Service’s Pacific Southwest Region were two California residents, Mark Elvin and Brian Woodbridge, and partner-in-mission, Larry Dunsmoor from Oregon. Thu, 16 May 2013 14:00:00 GMT release.cfm?id=95