CDFW Newshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/NewsCDFW Seeks Information Related to Temblor Legless Lizardhttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/cdfw-seeks-information-related-to-temblor-legless-lizardWildlife HealthSun, 14 Aug 2022 04:00:12 GMTCDFW is seeking data and comments on a proposal to list the Temblor legless lizard under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).<p>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).</p> <p>The Temblor legless lizard (<em>Anniella alexanderae</em>) 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.</p> <p>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).</p> <p><img alt="Map showing central California range for the Temblor legless lizard." src="/Portals/0/Images/OCEO/News/TemblorLeglessLizard_map_resized.jpg" style="width: 1000px; max-width: 100%; height: auto;" /></p> <p>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.</p> <p>Comments must be submitted prior to October 1, 2022. Comments may be submitted by email to <a href="mailto:wildlifemgt@wildlife.ca.gov?subject=Temblor%20legless%20lizard">wildlifemgt@wildlife.ca.gov</a>; 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.</p> <p>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 <a href="/Conservation/CESA/One-Year-Reviews">report will be made publicly available on CDFW’s website</a> 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.</p> <p>The <a href="https://fgc.ca.gov/CESA" target="_blank">listing petition, CDFW’s petition evaluation report and updates on the status of this process</a> are available on the Commission’s website.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:katrina.smith@wildlife.ca.gov">Katrina Smith</a>, CDFW Wildlife Branch, (916) 207-5573<br /> <a href="mailto:kirsten.macintyre@wildlife.ca.gov">Kirsten Macintyre</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714 </em></p> <p><i><strong>Photo:</strong><br /> Temblor legless lizard © Noah Morales</i></p> California Fish and Game Commission Holds Hybrid Meetinghttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/california-fish-and-game-commission-holds-hybrid-meetingRare SpeciesThu, 16 Jun 2022 17:13:08 GMTAt its June 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 Los Angeles, Saint Helena and Trinidad, with an option for the public to join via Zoom.<p>At its June 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 Los Angeles, Saint Helena and Trinidad, with an option for the public to join via Zoom.</p> <p>Regarding whether to list western Joshua tree as threatened or endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA), after extensive deliberation — including two motions that did not pass due to 2-2 votes — the Commission continued the agenda item to its October meeting. In the meantime, the Commission reopened the public record for the specific purpose of further tribal consultation. The Commission also requested the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) bring to the October meeting a proposed framework for a western Joshua tree range-wide conservation plan and a report on any related legislation. Importantly, the western Joshua tree will remain protected by CESA during this period.</p> <p>The Commission determined that listing Temblor legless lizard as threatened or endangered under the CESA may be warranted. This action commences a one-year status review to be completed by CDFW, during which Temblor legless lizard is protected as a candidate species.</p> <p>The Commission voted unanimously to change the status of Milo Baker’s lupine from threatened to endangered under CESA.</p> <p>The Commission adopted a 90-day extension of emergency regulations for low flow inland sport fishing restrictions due to drought conditions.</p> <p>The Commission honored Senior Deputy District Attorney Karen Wold from Ventura County. Throughout her distinguished career, Wold has shown strong dedication to protecting fish and wildlife, participated in collaborative investigations with CDFW and succeeded in high-profiled prosecutions of egregious marine pollution cases and fish and wildlife crimes, resulting in very large settlements.</p> <p style="margin-top:16px; margin-bottom:16px">The Commission honored its most immediate past president, Peter Silva, for his years of service on the Commission and decades of public service under California governors, and for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under President Barack Obama on water and natural resources issues, and wished him well in retirement spending time with his children and grandchildren. Commissioner Silva stepped down from the Commission on Feb. 18, 2022.</p> <p>At the meeting in Los Angeles, Commission President Samantha Murray and Vice President Erika Zavaleta were present. Commissioner Jacque Hostler-Carmesin attended from a public location in Trinidad and Commissioner Eric Sklar attended from a public location in Saint Helena. There is one vacant position on the Commission.</p> <p>The agenda for this meeting along with supporting information is available on the <a href="https://fgc.ca.gov">Commission website</a>. An archived audio file will be available in coming days. The next meeting of the full Commission is scheduled for Aug. 17-18, 2022. Please see the <a href="https://fgc.ca.gov">Commission website</a> for details.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em>Media Contact:<br /> <a href="mailto:jordan.traverso@wildlife.ca.gov">Jordan Traverso</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352</em></p> <p><em>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.</em></p>