Revised Proposed Designation of Critical Habitat for the California Red-Legged Frog (Rana aurora draytonii); Proposed Rule

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the reopening of a 90-day public comment period for the proposed rule to designate critical habitat for the California red-legged frog (Rana aurora draytonii), pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), and a concurrent 90-day comment period for the draft economic analysis for this proposed rule. A previous proposed rule to designate critical habitat was published on April 13, 2004 (69 FR 19620). We herein revise those critical habitat boundaries to better reflect lands containing essential features for the California red- legged frog, and we now propose to designate approximately 737,912 acres (ac) (298,622 hectares (ha)) of critical habitat in 23 California counties. Section 4 of the Act requires us to consider the economic and other relevant impacts of specifying any area as critical habitat. We hereby solicit data and comments from the public on all aspects of this proposal, including data on the economic and other impacts of the designation. We have conducted an analysis of the economic impacts of designating these areas as critical habitat and are announcing the availability of the draft economic analysis for public review. A special rule is also being proposed to exempt existing routine ranching activities from the prohibitions of the Act because these practices have neutral or beneficial effects on the California red- legged frog. We solicit additional data and information that may assist us in making a final decision on this proposed action.