The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it will extend emergency protection to the Sonoma County population of the California tiger salamander under the Endangered Species Act.
This action, listing the salamander as endangered, will immediately protect the salamander and its habitat upon its publication in the Federal Register later this week. The emergency listing will remain in effect for 240 days while the Service makes a final decision on a proposal to list the Sonoma County population of California tiger salamander as an endangered distinct population segment under the normal listing process. A species is designated as endangered if it is at risk of becoming extinct throughout all or a significant portion of its range in the foreseeable future.
"The purpose of the emergency rule provision of the Act is to prevent species from becoming extinct by affording them immediate protection while the normal listing process is being followed," said Steve Thompson, manager of the Service
