Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Determination of Endangered Status for the Laguna Mountains Skipper and Quino Checkerspot Butterfly

The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) determines the Laguna Mountains skipper (Pyrgus ruralis lagunae) and quino checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino) to be endangered species throughout their respective ranges in southwestern California and northwestern Baja California, Mexico, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Laguna Mountains skipper occupies montane meadow habitats in a very restricted range within San Diego County, California. The quino checkerspot is locally distributed in sunny openings within chaparral and coastal sage shrublands in portions of Riverside and San Diego counties, California, and northwestern Baja California, Mexico. These taxa are threatened by one or more of the following factors--loss and degradation and fragmentation of habitat due to grazing, urban development, and fire management practices; over- collection and other human disturbance; and naturally occurring events such as fire or weather extremes. This rule implements Federal protection provided by the Act for the Laguna Mountains skipper and quino checkerspot butterflies.