Toads Fly Free
By Mike Doerr, Air2Air

he endangered Arroyo Toad, or Bufo Californicus, has gained much needed support from Federal Wildlife Officials who have proposed designating over 109,000 acres as “critical habitat.”  The designation, which authorizes various forms of federal protection for the species, would apply to several sites in San Diego County’s back country and in six other counties across Southern California.  This set aside is much larger than the original 11,695 acres proposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as critical for the toad’s survival.  The proximity of these sites to Carlsbad’s McClellan-Palomar Airport is not known at the time of this writing.

The settlement is the result of a compromise after the Arizona-based Center for Biological Diversity sued the agency in hopes of increasing the acreage.  It applies to several sites in San Diego County’s back country and in six other counties across Southern California which includes rivers, streams and upland areas for the toads to forage and breed.

As a result of this plan, Air2Air has determined that it may be difficult for the Arroyo Toad to move between these widely separated locations.  Air2Air takes its position as a leader in the San Diego air charter industry seriously, (not to mention having tremendous compassion for the little green fellows and gals.)  Therefore to do our part in the community, and for the less advantaged wildlife of America, Air2Air will fly any Arroyo Toad free.  Yes free!

This offer applies to families of toads no larger than 75 total members traveling as a group and with no more than one small bag weighing not more than 1/3 the weight of the toad to whom the bag belongs.  (Tadpoles, or toadpoles, are not restricted in numbers or weight).

Toads must present proper travel authorization at least one hour prior to their requested flight at one of San Diego’s local airports.

The impact on the air charter industry is difficult to evaluate.  It is unlikely that this offer will have a significant effect on the San Diego, Carlsbad, and Montgomery air charter markets.  However, the impact on the Southern California air charter market overall is difficult to evaluate.

Toads must possess proper authorization to travel between sites from both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the TSA.

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