more land for toad urged

More land for toad urged
Federal suit argues space set aside for endangered amphibian inadequate
Charles F. Bostwick, Staff Writer Daily News

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST - Two conservation groups filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday challenging the federal government's designation of 11,600 acres of protected habitat for the endangered arroyo toad, calling the land area inadequate.

The lawsuit, filed by the Center for Biological Diversity and Christians Caring for Creation, asks a judge to order the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to expand its designation of "critical" toad habitat, which was cut from 478,000 acres proposed in 2000 to 11,695 acres designated in April.

"The federal government has totally fallen down on the job and its obligation to protect the endangered arroyo toad in California streams and rivers," said David Hogan, the Center for Biological Diversity's urban wild lands director.

The Fish and Wildlife Service's 2001 designation of 182,360 acres of critical habitat was itself struck down by a federal judge, after it was challenged by the building industry...........


http://www2.dailynews.com/antelopevalley/ci_2969993