Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Determination of Endangered Status for the San Diego Fairy Shrimp

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) determines endangered status pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), for the San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta sandiegonensis). This animal is restricted to vernal pools in southwestern coastal California and extreme northwestern Baja California, Mexico. Less than 81 hectares (ha) (200 acres (ac)) of habitat likely remains. This species is imperiled by a variety of factors including: habitat destruction and fragmentation from urban development and agricultural conversion, alterations of vernal pool hydrology, off-road vehicle (ORV) activity, and livestock overgrazing. This rule implements Federal protection and recovery provisions afforded by the Act.