Action timeline

August 28, 2007 – The Center filed a notice of intent to sue the Bush administration for failing to grant proper Endangered Species Act protections to 55 species, including the Quino checkerspot. The notice specifically addressed the checkerspot’s inadequate 2002 critical habitat designation.

August 11, 2003 – The recovery plan for the Quino checkerspot butterfly was approved.

April 15, 2002 – The U.S.  Fish and Wildlife Service designated 171,605 acres of critical habitat for the butterfly in Riverside and San Diego counties.

February 7, 2001 – Due to a settlement agreement with the Center, the Service proposed designation of 301,010 acres of critical habitat for the species.

June 30, 1999 – The Center filed suit challenging the Service’s 1997 decision not to grant critical habitat to the butterlfy.

January 16, 1997 – In response to a lawsuit by the Center, the Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Quino checkerspot butterfly as an endangered species but refused to designate critical habitat.