Lawsuit over U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service denial
of ESA protection for imperiled Sierra amphibians

On January 17, 2003 the Center for Biological Diversity and Pacific Rivers Council filed notice of their intent to sue the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service for illegally delaying Endangered Species Act protections for the the Sierra Nevada mountain yellow-legged frog and the Yosemite toad. The Service, under court order to make listing determinations as a result of a previous Center lawsuit, determined that listing was warranted for both species, but is "precluded" by higher priorities.

In February, 2000, the Center for Biological Diversity and other environmental groups submitted formal petitions with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the Yosemite toad and Sierra Nevada mountain yellow-legged frog under the Endangered Species Act. Both species have declined dramatically and will become extinct if immediate conservation action is not undertaken. In 1993, the Center filed a formal petition to list the Sonoran tiger salamander as endangered throughout its range in Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. The species was federally protected in 1997. Scientists are now developing a recovery plan to ensure its continued survival.