The Center for Biological Diversity in late August notified the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that it intended to sue the agencies for an alleged failure to protect Yosemite toads and Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs in California’s Sierra National Forest. The group claims livestock grazing in the forest has damaged the species’ habitat.
“We’re launching this lawsuit to push the Forest Service to live up to its own commitments,” said Tara Zuardo, a senior advocate at the Center. “These rare frogs and toads are barely hanging on, yet the Forest Service is allowing cattle to trample the very streams and mountain meadows they need to survive.”
The notice challenges the agencies’ authorization of cattle grazing on six allotments.
The Sierra National Forest manages a range grazing program with 25 active allotments totaling nearly 640,000 acres, according to USFS. There are currently 13 vacant allotments on the forest, totaling about 326,000 acres, unavailable to grazing at this time because they must first undergo environmental compliance. Two of the vacant allotments are currently under an environmental review, which is expected to be completed early next year.
The environmental group argues that six of the active allotments contain habitat for the Yosemite toads and Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs, which are protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The group claims that livestock grazing has damaged the habitats.
The Center for Biological Diversity asked the agencies to reinitiate and complete ESA consultations across the allotments and called for the removal of livestock while consultation is underway.
“If the Forest Service and Fish and Wildlife Service fail to protect these imperiled animals, the Center intends to file a federal lawsuit after expiration of the Endangered Species Act’s 60-day notice period,” the group said. — Anna Miller Fortozo, WLJ managing editor
