Fish and Wildlife Service extends debate on California frog habitat

By Michael Doyle | 05/27/2025 01:26 PM EDT

A coalition of water and agricultural interests has raised concerns about a proposed critical habitat designation for foothill yellow-legged frogs.

A foothill yellow-legged frog.

A foothill yellow-legged frog sits in a shallow edge of the Feather River in California. Rebecca Fabbri/Fish and Wildlife Service

Nervous California farmers, ranchers and water agencies have won more time to scrutinize a Fish and Wildlife Service proposal designating 760,071 acres of critical habitat for four foothill yellow-legged frog populations.

Citing the proposal’s “anticipated broad and varied effects,” a coalition including the Association of California Water Agencies, California Cattlemen’s Association and California Farm Bureau stressed the potential consequences of the critical habitat package published during the final days of the Biden administration.

“This proposal is large in scope with significant public — state and federal — and private land acres impacted,” the organizations noted.

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In a Federal Register notice Tuesday, the Fish and Wildlife Service extended the review period deadline from May 17 to July 28.

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