CDFW News

CDFW Seeks Public Comment Related to Bear Lake Buckwheat

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 13:13:34 GMT

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

Bear Lake buckwheat (Eriogonum microtheca var. lacus-ursi) is a subshrub in the buckwheat family exclusively found on the south shore of Big Bear Lake in San Bernardino County, California. Bear Lake buckwheat grows on a unique substrate of gray, silty, clay soil in Jeffrey pine and juniper woodland. Bear Lake buckwheat occupies an area of less than 0.18 acre on a parcel of private property that is being leased to the City of Big Bear Lake.

The main threats to Bear Lake buckwheat is habitat modification or destruction from development of the property where the species occurs, human disturbances (including off-road vehicle use, littering or trash dumping and trampling), effects of small population size, and fire and fuel reduction activities.<

On July 16, 2024, CDFW’s Native Plant Program submitted a petition to the California Fish and Game Commission to list Bear Lake buckwheat as an endangered species under CESA. The Commission published findings of its decision to make the species a candidate for listing as an endangered species on Oct. 25, 2024, and as such, Bear Lake buckwheat now receives the same legal protection afforded to an endangered or threatened species (Fish and Game Code sections 2074.2 and 2085).

As of Oct. 25, 2024, CDFW has 12 months to conduct a status review that will inform the Commission’s final decision on whether to list Bear Lake buckwheat as 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 the data examples listed above and comments be submitted before Feb. 10, 2025, to allow sufficient time to evaluate this information during the status review period. Please submit data and comments to CDFW by email at NativePlants@wildlife.ca.gov and include “Bear Lake buckwheat” in the subject line. Data or comments may also be submitted by mail to California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Native Plant Program, Attn: Kristi Lazar, 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 Bear Lake buckwheat as 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. The Commission, 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:
Kristi Lazar, CDFW Native Plant Program, (916) 594-5425
Steve Gonzalez, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714

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

California Fish and Game Commission Holds First Hybrid Meeting

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 12:26:25 GMT

At its April meeting the California Fish and Game Commission acted on several issues affecting California’s natural resources. The following are just a few items of interest from this week’s meeting held in Monterey and Trinidad, with an option for the public to join via Zoom.

The Commission adopted a regulation prohibiting the use of hydraulic pumps to take clams, sand crabs and shrimp. This regulation was previously adopted as a temporary, emergency regulation and is now adopted through the standard rulemaking process.

The Commission adopted the Pink (Ocean) Shrimp Fishery Management Plan, consistent with the Marine Life Management Act. The plan’s provisions align California’s pink shrimp management with that of Oregon and Washington, and puts the commercial pink shrimp trawl fishery on the path to be the first state-managed fishery in California with a Marine Stewardship Council sustainability certification.

The Commission determined that listing southern California steelhead as threatened or endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) may be warranted. This action commences a one-year status review to be completed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), during which southern California steelhead is protected as a candidate species. However, the Commission also voted to allow take of southern California steelhead under certain circumstances for projects that serve an immediate need and provide flood protection, public safety (including highways), or water supply or water treatment.

The Commission voted unanimously to deny the petition requesting to ban bear hunting in California until three conditions were met, including conducting an empirical study to determine the state’s black bear population.

This was the first Commission meeting held since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic with options for both in-person and virtual attendance. At the meeting in Monterey, Commission President Samantha Murray, Vice President Erika Zavaleta and Commissioner Eric Sklar were present. Commissioner Jacque Hostler-Carmesin attended from a second public location in Trinidad, Calif. There is one vacant position on the Commission.

The agenda for this meeting along with supporting information is available on the Commission website. An archived audio file will be available in coming days. The next meeting of the full Commission is scheduled for June 15-16, 2022. Please see the Commission website for details.

Media Contact:
Jordan Traverso, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352

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The California Fish and Game Commission was one of the first wildlife conservation agencies 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.

California Fish and Game Commission Meets Remotely

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 16:24:58 GMT

At its February meeting, the California Fish and Game Commission acted on several issues affecting California’s natural resources. The following are just a few items of interest from this week’s meeting.

The Commission readopted emergency regulation prohibiting the use of hydraulic pumps to take clams, sand crabs and shrimp.

The Commission adopted regulations to protect bull kelp that include a prohibition of commercial harvest in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, an annual limit of 8,000 lbs. in Humboldt and Del Norte counties and other measures to protect kelp.

The Commission adopted regulations to protect California’s iconic grunion populations by implementing a bag limit of 30 fish per person and extending the closed season by additional month to include the month of June.

The Commission voted unanimously to list San Bernardino kangaroo rat as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).

The Commission continued the decision to determine whether or not listing southern California steelhead as endangered under CESA may be warranted.

The Commission continued the decision to ratify findings for the decision to list northern California summer steelhead as endangered under CSEA.

The Commission determined that listing Lime Ridge eriastrum as endangered under CESA may be warranted. This commences a one-year status review to be completed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and Lime Ridge eriastrum is protected as a candidate species during that time.

The Commission voted unanimously to list Shasta snow-wreath as threatened under CESA.

The Commission adopted amendments to big game regulations to include preference points reinstatement and tag refunds due to public land closures. More information on how to apply for reinstatement will be available at CDFW’s licensing website.

The Commission received a petition (begins on page 44) from the Humane Society of the United States to eliminate open hunting season for black bear until CDFW updates its bear management plan including a census of the California black bear population. The Commission referred the petition to CDFW.

The full commission was present. At the meeting, the Commission elected Commissioner Samantha Murray as president, replacing outgoing President Peter Silva who is stepping down from the Commission effective Friday, Feb. 18. The Commission elected Commissioner Erika Zavaleta as vice president, a position previously held by President Murray. The Commission assigned chairs for its three committees. Commissioner Jacque Hostler-Carmesin was selected to continue as chair of the Tribal Committee. President Murray and Commissioner Erik Sklar will continue as co-chairs of the Marine Resources Committee. Vice President Erika Zavaleta will continue to serve on the Wildlife Resources Committee as chair.

The agenda for this meeting along with supporting information is available on the Commission website. An archived audio file will be available in coming days. The next meeting of the full Commission is scheduled for April 20-21, 2022. Please see the Commission website for details.

Media Contact:
Jordan Traverso, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352

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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.