Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the California Red-Legged Frog, and Special Rule Exemption Associated With Final Listing for Existing Routine Ranching Activities

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are designating critical habitat for the California red-legged frog (Rana aurora draytonii) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are further finalizing a special rule associated with final listing of the California red-legged frog as threatened for existing routine ranching activities pursuant to section 4(d) of the Act. In total, approximately 450,288 acres (ac) (182,225 hectares (ha)) fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The critical habitat is located in Alameda, Butte, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Kern, Los Angeles, Marin, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Ventura and Yuba counties, California.