FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Stephanie Weagley, 760/431-9440 ext. 210
December 8, 2009
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Revision of Critical Habitat for Thread-leaved Brodiaea Plant
Carlsbad, Calif.–The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced today a proposal to revise critical habitat for thread-leaved brodiaea (Brodiaea filifolia), a federally threatened plant in southern California. Approximately 3,786 acres of land in portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and San Diego counties are included in the revised proposal.
Today’s action is the result of a lawsuit filed against the Service challenging the 2005 critical habitat designation. The Service entered into a settlement agreement in July of 2008, to reconsider critical habitat for thread-leaved brodiaea and to submit a proposed revision to the Federal Register on or before December 1, 2009.
Thread-leaved brodiaea, a purple-flowered perennial, grows 8 to 16 inches tall and flowers from late April to early June. It is associated with clay soils or soils with clay subsurface.
Areas proposed as critical habitat are identified in 10 units that are subdivided into 28 subunits within the plant’s known geographical range. All areas are occupied by the plant with over half of the lands being privately owned. The remaining areas are managed by state, local, and federal agencies.
Of the 3,786 acres proposed for critical habitat, the Service is considering excluding 1,494 acres covered under the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan; 925 acres covered by the Orange County Southern Subregion Habitat Conservation Plan; 263 acres covered by the City of Carlsbad’s Habitat Management Plan under the Northwestern San Diego County Multiple Habitat Conservation Plan; and 109 acres covered by the City and County of San Diego Subarea Plans under the San Diego County Multiple Species Conservation Program.
Approximately 1,531 acres of essential habitat identified in the proposed rule are located on Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton and subject to the Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan (INRMP). Because the INRMP provides a conservation benefit to thread-leaved brodiaea, these acres are exempt from critical habitat designation.
The Service is preparing a draft economic analysis of the proposed revision that will be made available for public review and comment at a later date.
The official copy, including maps, is available at http://www.fws.gov/carlsbad .
Comments and information on the proposed rule, may be submitted electronically to http://www.regulations.gov, or in writing to: Public Comments Processing,Attn: FWS-R8-ES-2009-0073, Division of Policy and Directives Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222, Arlington, VA 22203.
Comments will be accepted until February 8, 2010. Requests for a public hearing must be submitted in writing to the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, 6010 Hidden Valley Road, Suite 101, Carlsbad, CA 92011 by January 22, 2010. We will not accept email or faxes and all comments received will be posted on http://www.regulations.gov.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov/
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