Following a legal challenge to its October 23, 2000 designation of critical habitat for the San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta sandiegonensis), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today it is re-proposing critical habitat for the endangered species and is preparing a new economic analysis.
The new proposed critical habitat designation covers approximately 6,098 acres of land in Orange and San Diego counties and includes Federal, State, local and private lands. Public comments on the proposed rule will be accepted until June 23, 2003 at 5:00 p.m. A draft economic analysis of the proposed rule will also be made available for public review and comment in the near future.
In light of the current national security situation vernal pools that support San Diego fairy shrimp that occur within active training areas on Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton are not being proposed as critical habitat for the species.
We considered but did not propose critical habitat on preserve areas within approved habitat conservation plans. Lands on Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar and the U.S. Navy
