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In 1993, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) classified the Columbia spotted frog (Rana luteiventris) as a "candidate" species because of apparent small population size, habitat deterioration, and imminent threats. From 1999-2002, a Columbia Spotted Frog Technical Team, comprised of several cooperating entities including the USFWS, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, Nevada Natural Heritage Program, and University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, worked together to write a conservation plan for this species. Upon signature approval in 2003 by these same entities, a 10-year Columbia Spotted Frog (Northeast Nevada Subpopulation) Conservation Agreement and Strategy was implemented. During this time (2003-2013), the Technical Team was charged with plan implementation, evaluation, and strategy revision as necessary. Inventory and monitoring activities by this team and a similar central Nevada team served to increase knowledge of spotted frog distribution, populations, and habitat. Results of this effort were at least partially responsible for a 2007 recommendation by the USFWS that an emergency listing of this species was not warranted, and that the listing priority be down-graded from a category 3 to a category 9. During 2013, the USFWS concluded in its annual Candidate Notice of Review that "Extensive surveys and monitoring since 1993 have revealed that Columbia spotted frog populations within the Great Basin DPS [distinct population segment] are more widespread and common than previously known." Implementation of several habitat enhancement projects identified in the Conservation Agreement and Strategy has benefitted Nevada populations of this species, and a new 10-year plan was written and signed in February 2015 by the original signatory parties and others. On October 7, 2015, the FWS determined after analysis of the best available scientific data that the Great Basin DPS of the Columbia spotted frog did not warrant federal protection under the Endangered Species Act.