CDFW News

CDFW Seeks Public Comment Related to Western Burrowing Owl

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 10:54:26 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking data and public comments on a petition to list the western burrowing owl under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).

The western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) faces threats that include habitat loss due to urban and suburban development, ground squirrel population decline, changes in agricultural practices, pesticide poisoning and predation.

The species was historically found broadly across California in wide lowland valley bottoms, flat coastal lowlands and interior deserts. Currently, the western burrowing owl population is most abundant in the Imperial Valley and parts of the Central Valley.

Burrowing owls are small owls that breed and roost in underground burrows. These burrows are primarily created by ground squirrels, so a population of ground squirrels is generally present in high quality burrowing owl habitat. They live in grasslands, shrublands and deserts, but also occur in human-altered landscapes like agricultural lands, golf courses and cattle pastures. Burrowing owls need areas of short vegetation in which to hunt for insects and small rodents.

On March 5, 2024, the Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, Burrowing Owl Preservation Society, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, Urban Bird Foundation, Central Valley Bird Club and the San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society submitted a petition to the California Fish and Game Commission to list the western burrowing owl as a threatened or endangered species under CESA. The Commission published the findings of its decision to make the species a candidate for listing on October 25, 2024, and as such, the western burrowing owl now receives the same legal protection afforded to an endangered or threatened species (Fish and Game Code sections 2074.2 and 2085).

As of October 25, 2024, CDFW has 12 months to conduct a status review that will inform the Commission’s final decision on whether to list western burrowing owl as threatened or endangered under CESA. As part of the status review process, CDFW is soliciting information regarding the species’ ecology, genetics, life history, distribution, abundance, habitat, the degree and immediacy of threats to its reproduction or survival, the adequacy of existing management and recommendations for management of the species.

CDFW respectfully requests that data and comments be submitted before February 15, 2025, to allow sufficient time to evaluate this information during the status review period. Submit data and comments to CDFW by email at wildlifemgt@wildlife.ca.gov and include “Western Burrowing Owl” in the subject line. Data or comments may also be submitted by mail to California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife Diversity Program, Attn: Anne Hilborn, P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090.

CDFW will produce a peer reviewed report based upon the best scientific information available, which will include a recommendation as to whether the petitioned action to list western burrowing owl as threatened or endangered under CESA is warranted (Fish and Game Code section 2074.6). The report will be made publicly available on CDFW’s website for at least 30 days before the Commission considers acting on the petition. Please note, the Commission — which is a legally separate entity from CDFW — is charged with making the final determination on whether to list a species as endangered or threatened under CESA (Fish and Game Code section 2075.5). CDFW serves in a scientific advisory role to the Commission during this process. See the California Fish and Game Commission webpage for details on submitting comments to the Commission and receiving email alerts for upcoming Commission meetings.

The listing petition, CDFW’s petition evaluation report and updates on the listing process are available on the Commission’s website.

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Media Contacts:
Anne Hilborn, CDFW Wildlife Branch, (916) 207-5637
Steve Gonzalez, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714

CDFW Seeks Information Related to Temblor Legless Lizard

Sun, 14 Aug 2022 04:00:12 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking data and comments on a proposal to list the Temblor legless lizard under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).

The Temblor legless lizard (Anniella alexanderae) is a unique, limbless lizard endemic to the alkali desert scrub and annual grasslands of the southwestern San Joaquin Valley, east of the Temblor mountains at 168–466 meters (551–1,529 feet) elevation. This burrowing and crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) species uses the ground surface, soil and leaf litter for feeding and mating. Temblor legless lizards eat larval insects, adult beetles, termites and spiders. Threats include habitat loss due to development, urbanization, agriculture, climate change and invasive species. Habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation can restrict the species’ ability to feed, burrow and reproduce.

On November 18, 2021, the Center for Biological Diversity submitted a petition to the California Fish and Game Commission to list the Temblor legless lizard as a threatened or endangered species under CESA. The Commission published findings of its decision to advance the species to candidacy on July 1, 2022, and as such, Temblor legless lizard now receives the same legal protection afforded to an endangered or threatened species (California Fish and Game Code, sections 2074.2 and 2085).

Over the next 12 months, CDFW will conduct a status review to inform the Commission’s final decision on whether to list the species under CESA. As part of the status review process, CDFW is soliciting information regarding the species’ ecology, genetics, life history, distribution, abundance, habitat, the degree and immediacy of threats to its reproduction or survival, the adequacy of existing management and recommendations for management of the species.

Comments must be submitted prior to October 1, 2022. Comments may be submitted by email to wildlifemgt@wildlife.ca.gov; please include “Temblor legless lizard” in the subject line. Comments may also be submitted by mail to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife Diversity Program, Attn: CESA Conservation Unit, P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090.

CDFW will produce a peer-reviewed report based upon the best scientific information available, which will indicate whether the petitioned action is warranted and will include related recommendations from CDFW staff (FGC, section 2074.6). The report will be made publicly available on CDFW’s website at for at least 30 days before the Commission considers acting on the petition. Pursuant to FGC, section 2075.5, the Commission — which is a legally separate entity from CDFW — is charged with making the final determination on whether to list a species as endangered or threatened under CESA. CDFW serves in an advisory role to the Commission during this process.

The listing petition, CDFW’s petition evaluation report and updates on the status of this process are available on the Commission’s website.

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Media Contacts:
Katrina Smith, CDFW Wildlife Branch, (916) 207-5573
Kirsten Macintyre, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714

Photo:
Temblor legless lizard © Noah Morales

Public Invited to Comment on Petition to List Southern California Steelhead as Endangered

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 12:43:12 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has initiated a status review for Southern California steelhead and invites data or comments on a petition to list Southern California steelhead as an endangered species under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).

Southern California steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are found in streams from the Santa Maria River at the southern county line of San Luis Obispo County down to the U.S.-Mexico border. Southern California steelhead as defined in the CESA petition include both anadromous (ocean-going) and resident (stream-dwelling) forms of the species below complete migration barriers in these streams.

Major threats to Southern California steelhead include destruction, modification and fragmentation of habitat due to anthropogenic water use (i.e., dams or diversions for the purposes of providing water for human use) and climate change impacts like increased stream temperatures and intensified drought conditions. Southern California steelhead represent an important steelhead diversity component in California due to their unique adaptations, life histories and genetics.

On June 14, 2021, California Trout submitted a petition to the California Fish and Game Commission to list Southern California steelhead as an endangered species under CESA. On April 21, 2022, the Commission accepted that petition for consideration. On May 13, 2022, the Commission provided public notice that Southern California steelhead is now a candidate species under CESA and as such, receives the same legal protection afforded to an endangered or threatened species. The listing petition and CDFW’s petition evaluation report are available on the Commission website.

CDFW invites data or comments on the petitioned action, including Southern California steelhead ecology, genetics, life history, distribution, abundance, habitat, the degree and immediacy of threats to its reproduction or survival, the adequacy of existing management or recommendations for management of the species. Data or comments may be submitted via email to SCSH@wildlife.ca.gov. Please include “Southern California Steelhead” in the subject line. Submissions may also be sent to:

CDFW Fisheries Branch
Attn: Southern California Steelhead
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento, California 94244-2090

Submissions must be received by Sept. 30. CDFW has 12 months to review the petition, evaluate the best available scientific information relating to Southern California steelhead and make a recommendation to the Commission. The Commission will then place receipt of the report on the agenda for the next available Commission meeting. The report will be made available to the public for that meeting, where the Commission will schedule the petition for further consideration.

For more information on the petition, please visit the Commission website.

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Media Contact:
Kirsten Macintyre, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714

Photo: Southern California steelhead, CDFW photo by Kyle Evans