Interesting article about Joshua Tree, and renewable energy.
Calm Seas,
Catherine French
Writer, mentor, naturalist
805.570.0432
We are given only so many days, make each one count.
Sent from my iPad Air
Begin forwarded message:
From: CDFW News <noreply+feedproxy@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: September 22, 2020 at 5:51:49 PM PDT
To: cfrench1366@xxxxxxx
Subject: California Fish and Wildlife News
Reply-To: CDFW News <CDFWNews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
California Fish and Wildlife News
California Fish and Game Commission Holds Meeting on Western Joshua Tree
Posted: 22 Sep 2020 05:25 PM PDT
The California Fish and Game Commission held a meeting today to address
issues related to the listing of the western Joshua tree as a threatened or
endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).
In a unanimous 4-0 vote, the Commission determined that listing western
Joshua tree as threatened or endangered under may be warranted. This
commences a one-year status review of the species and the Commission will
make a final decision at a future meeting. During the status review, the
western Joshua tree is protected under CESA as a candidate species.
Additionally, in a 3-1 vote (Commission Vice President Samantha Murray was
the dissenting vote), the Commission adopted regulations to authorize
conditional take of western Joshua tree during its candidacy for 15 solar
energy projects expected break ground within the year. This emergency
rulemaking is a result of discussion and consultation between the California
Department of Fish and Wildlife, renewable energy developers, local
governments and the petitioner, the Center for Biological Diversity.
Climate change impacts pose a clear threat to public health in California and
are proving to be a primary threat to the survivability of western Joshua
tree. This emergency rulemaking exemplifies California’s innate ability to
lead the country in fighting climate change by advancing solar projects to
help keep the state on track to meet its renewable energy goals, all while
protecting biodiversity.
As a reminder, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Commission meetings through June
2021 will be held via webinar and teleconference.
Commission President Eric Sklar, Vice President Samantha Murray and
Commissioners Jacque Hostler-Carmesin and Peter Silva were present.
Commissioner Russell Burns, who had already recused himself of the western
Joshua tree decision at the August meeting, was absent.
The agenda for this meeting along with supporting information is available at
www.fgc.ca.gov. An archived video recording will be available in coming days.
The next meeting of the full Commission is scheduled for Oct. 14, 2020.
Media Contact:
Jordan Traverso, CDFW Communications, (916) 654-9937
###
The California Fish and Game Commission was the first wildlife conservation
agency in the United States, predating even the U.S. Commission of Fish and
Fisheries. There is often confusion about the distinction between the
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Commission. In the
most basic terms, CDFW implements and enforces the regulations set by the
Commission, as well as provides biological data and expertise to inform the
Commission’s decision-making process.
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