Monday January 13, 2025
USFWS —
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public comment on a proposal to designate 760,071 acres of critical habitat for the four listed distinct populations segments of foothill yellow-legged frog in California that are essential to conservation of the species.
The Service is proposing to designate 192,275 acres of critical habitat for the North Feather population (threatened), 307,777 acres for the South Sierra population (endangered), 249,942 acres for the Central Coast population (threatened) and 10,077 acres for the South Coast population (endangered).
The foothill yellow-legged frog, named for its yellow belly and underside of its rear legs, is found from Oregon to Southern California. Historical declines of the listed populations were due to mining and altered hydrology related to the development of California’s extensive water infrastructure network. Today, the species faces multiple threats, including altered waterflows related to water infrastructure such as dams and diversions, competition with and predation by non-native species such as bullfrogs and crayfish, disease, precipitation and temperature changes related to climate change , high-severity wildfires, water-related recreation, and habitat conversion and degradation.
“Our goal is to help the foothill yellow-legged frog recover across its range,” said Michael Fris, field supervisor of the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office. “Establishing critical habitat is one step we can take to support the amphibian’s recovery.”