Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Final Rule To List the Santa Barbara County Distinct Population of the California Tiger Salamander as Endangered

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), list the Santa Barbara County Distinct Vertebrate Population Segment (DPS) of the California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Of six habitat complexes, consisting of 27 documented breeding sites and associated uplands, five have suffered moderate to severe levels of habitat destruction or degradation between 1996 and 2000. Plans to convert additional sites from grazing to intensive agriculture are being developed and implemented. We emergency listed the population segment on January 19, 2000. The emergency listing was effective for 240 days. Immediately upon publication, this action continues the protection provided by the temporary emergency listing.