Press Release
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Revises Critical Habitat For Peninsular Bighorn Sheep
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced today a revised critical habitat designation for the Peninsular bighorn sheep, a distinct population segment of desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni). Approximately 376,938 acres of habitat in portions of Riverside, San Diego, and Imperial counties, California are included in the revised final designation. This is a reduction of approximately 467,959 acres from the original 2001 critical habitat designation.
The revised final rule is a result of a lawsuit filed against the Service by the Agua Caliente Tribe and others challenging the economic analysis used in completing its original 2001 critical habitat designation. The original designation included 844,897 acres of land in the three counties of California. As a result of a consent decree arising from this lawsuit, critical habitat on Agua Caliente Tribal land and private land owned by the Desert Riders and mining interests was vacated, leaving 814,972 acres of currently designated critical habitat. In completing this action, the Service has complied with the court
The revised final rule is a result of a lawsuit filed against the Service by the Agua Caliente Tribe and others challenging the economic analysis used in completing its original 2001 critical habitat designation. The original designation included 844,897 acres of land in the three counties of California. As a result of a consent decree arising from this lawsuit, critical habitat on Agua Caliente Tribal land and private land owned by the Desert Riders and mining interests was vacated, leaving 814,972 acres of currently designated critical habitat. In completing this action, the Service has complied with the court
