12 California Water Agencies Set To Sue Over Sucker Fish Habitat

SANTA ANA (AP) — Twelve water agencies have filed a notice with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service saying they intend to sue over a recent ruling that would expand the federally designated critical habitat for the Santa Ana sucker fish.

The agencies say in their 60-day notice filed Tuesday that the ruling could result in a net water loss equal to what it takes to supply 500,000 people.

Phone and e-mail messages left for the Fish and Wildfire Service at the Carlsbad office were not immediately returned. The Santa Ana sucker fish is listed as a federally threatened species.

Populations of the sucker are known to live in areas of Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange counties.

The Dec. 14 ruling makes more than 10,000 acres critical habitat -- an increase of about 1,000 acres.

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