The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today it is designating 33,295 acres of land in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, California, as critical habitat for the endangered San Bernardino kangaroo rat (Dipodomys merriami parvus).
The Service published a proposal to designate 55,408 acres of land as critical habitat for the San Bernardino kangaroo rat in December 2000. A draft economic analysis of the proposal was completed and released for public review and comment in September 2001.
Based upon all comments and scientific and commercial information received, as well as refined mapping methods, more than 22,000 acres of land were removed from the final critical habitat designation.
"The final designation reflects a comprehensive review of all comments and additional information we received on our proposal," said Jim Bartel, Field Supervisor of the Service
