Pasadena Audubon Society
Updates on Arroyo Toad
Timeline
- 2/7/01 The US Fish and Wildlife Service today issued its
final order designating 182,000 acres of Central and Southern
California streams as critical habitat for the endangered Arroyo
Toad. Six miles of the Arroyo Seco Stream ranging from the top of
Devil's Gate Reservoir into the San Gabriel Mountains are included in
the designation that will take effect on March 9, 2001. The
designation could affect watershed planning efforts and the
development of Hahamongna Watershed Park.
More information on the designation can be found at:
http://www.arroyoseco.org/arroyotoadfinaldesignation.htmThe official US Fish & Wildlife designation documment can be found at:
http://www.arroyoseco.org/images/arroyotoad_fch.pdffrom Arroyo_Seco_News
- 12/05/00 Public Comment Period reopened on the Arroyo Southwestern Toad to 12/11/00
As background to this message, the US Fish and Wildlife Services is proposing to designate the area above Devil's Gate Dam to the upper headwaters of the Arroyo Seco near Switzer's Camp as critical habitat for the Arroyo Southwestern Toad, an endangered species. If that happens, this will provide greater limits on developments in Hahamongna Watershed Park. This will have both positive and negative impacts on the current plans by the City of Pasadena to Arroyo Seco Master Plan. The USFWS had a previous comment period that closed on August 7, 2000. With the release of "DRAFT ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF CRITICAL HABITAT DESIGNATION FOR THE ARROYO SOUTHWESTERN TOAD" the USFWS announced that it is reopening the public comment period to December 11, 2000 for those interested in commenting on the recently released economic analysis which can be found on the web at: http://www.r1.fws.gov/news/2000-184.htm (PDF file of 60 page report) I think it is important that environmental organizations who are interested in maintaining and restoring habitat go on record supporting the designation while at the same time supporting the reasonable efforts of the City of Pasadena to restore the Hahamongna Watershed Park area so and thus support Arroyo Toad. Written public comments can be sent to: 1. Field Supervisor U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office 2493 Portola Rd, Suite B Ventura, CA 93003 You may also send comments by e-mail to 2. fw1artoch@rl.fws.gov. Comments should be submitted as an ASCII text file with no special characters and any form of encryption. Please make sure to include "RIN 1018-AG15" and your name and return address in your message. If you do not receive confirmation from the system that USFWS has received your e-mail message, please contact the at 805/644-1766. You may call that number with any questions or concerns. --Don Rogers - 11/07/00 The Hahamongna Advisory Committee was advised by city staff that the
City Manager had sent a letter on 8/7/00 requesting that the Upper
Arroyo/Devil's Gate Reservoir be removed from the USFWS proposed areas of
critical habitat for the Arroyo Southwest Toad. The members of the committee
expressed concern the proposed designation could have a severe impact on
implementing the Hahamongna Master Plan. The comment period is closed so that
the final report and designation can be prepared for release on January 5,
2001. (Don Rogers at PhotoDGR@cs.com)
- 06/08/00 Proposed Final Rule for Critical Habitat Released by US Fish and Wildlife. See below for more information and links.
- 03/11/00 Center for Biological Diversity comes to agreement with USFS to protect Engangered Species adequately
- 200,000 Acres to be Protected for Imperiled Toad
"On 6-8-00, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service implemented a legal settlement with the Center for
Biological Diversity and Christians Caring for Creation by proposing to designate and protect
500,000 acres of 'critical habitat' for the Arroyo southwestern toad. When finalized, the
designation will require sweeping reforms in land management by the U.S. Forest Service and the
military in Monterey, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange
and San Diego counties. It will also effect plans to extend urban sprawl into the canyons and
streams of southern California."
"Arroyo toads were historically widely distributed along the length of drainages in southern California from Monterey to Baja California, but now survive only in small, isolated headwaters. Urban sprawl, dams, cattle grazing, mining and off-road vehicle use have all contributed to the decline of the species to a point where Fish and Wildlife now considers the species 'on the brink of extinction.'" (Copied from link above.)
- Proposed Designation of
Critical Habitat for the Arroyo Southwestern Toad now includes portions of Hahamongna Watershed Park
Unit 7: Upper Los Angeles River Basin, Los Angeles County
Unit 7 includes portions of Big Tujunga, Mill, Alder, and Arroyo Seco creeks, and adjacent uplands. The unit encompasses approximately 8,700 ha (21,500 ac), of which 68 percent is within the Angeles National Forest and 32 percent is private land. Big Tujunga Creek is proposed from Big Tujunga Dam downstream to Hansen Lake (Subunit A) (excluding Big Tujunga Reservoir). Big Tujunga Creek upstream from Big Tujunga Lake to 2 km (1.2 mi) above the confluence with Alder Creek, Mill Creek from the Monte Cristo Creek confluence downstream to Big Tujunga Creek, and Alder Creek from the Mule Fork confluence downstream to Big Tujunga Creek are proposed (Subunit B). Arroyo Seco is proposed from the Long Canyon confluence downstream to Devil's Gate Reservoir (Subunit C). Arroyo toads occupy each of these drainages. Big Tujunga Creek below the reservoir is an area with high potential for expanding toad numbers through careful management of land use activities and water releases from the dam.(Copied from link above.)
"Roads to Toads Closed"
"Angeles National Forest--Endangered toads on the northern side of the San Gabriel Mountains have forced the closure of several off-highway roads along the Angeles Crest Highway, about 50 miles northeast of La Canada-Flintridge. The road closures are near Chilao Campground, about 10 miles southwest of Mt. Waterman Ski Resort. Traffic on the Angeles Crest has not been affected.The closure was prompted by the U.S. Forest Service's effort to protect a 3,000 acre area where the Arroyo Southwestern toad has been found. The toad, put on the endangered species list in 1994, was first discovered in the early 1970s, said Bill Brown, and Angeles National Forest biologist. 'Apparently, it was found in the Little Rock Creek drainage.' Brown said. 'It was listed at that time, but nobody followed up on any survey work. It's not very well known.' The toad, only about 1 1/2 inches in length, is smaller than the Western toad, more common to the Valley, Brown said."
Copied from San Gabriel Valley Weekly, Los Angeles Times, Friday, February 19, 1999, page 3, by Paul Clinton
Identification
- The National Wildlife Federation spotlights the Arroyo Southwestern Toad.
- Drawing, range map and vocalization
- Large toad drawing
- Brief description
- The Fish and Wildlife Service determines endangered status for the arroyo southwestern toad (Bufo microscaphus californicus). The "Final Rule" or official designation. Very long, very informative.
- The arroyo southwestern toad, Bufo microscaphus californicus, is sensitive to changes in hydrology and riparian vegetation.
URL: http://www.PasadenaAudubon.org/birdmaptext.html | Email: paudubon@yahoo.com