CDFW Newshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/NewsCalifornia Takes Action to Protect Western Joshua Tree, Promote Responsible Clean Energy Developmenthttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/california-takes-action-to-protect-western-joshua-treeRare SpeciesThu, 27 Jul 2023 13:37:00 GMTFollowing Governor Gavin Newsom’s enactment of the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act, the California Natural Resources Agency and CDFW have begun work to create a conservation plan for the iconic tree which will further enable the state’s clean energy transition away from fossil fuels and support California’s actions to build more new housing.<p>Following Governor Gavin Newsom’s enactment of the <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB122" target="_blank">Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act</a>, the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) have begun work to create a conservation plan for the iconic tree which will further enable the state’s clean energy transition away from fossil fuels and support California’s actions to build more new housing.</p> <p>California has some of the most ambitious climate goals in the world, including a 100 percent clean electric grid by 2045 and achieving economy-wide carbon neutrality. Meeting these targets means accelerating the development of clean energy projects, such as solar photovoltaic and energy storage systems across the state. The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act simultaneously recognizes that building the clean energy system of the future can be accomplished in tandem with the effective protection of biodiversity and iconic species, such as the western Joshua tree.</p> <p>“We are optimistic the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act will have positive and lasting effects on the future of the species in the face of climate change,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “Our team is excited for this opportunity to lead the way in landscape-scale species conservation while streamlining the permitting process for responsible development and much-needed clean energy.”</p> <p>The act authorizes CDFW to issue permits for the removal of dead western Joshua trees and the trimming of live western Joshua trees under certain circumstances. The Act also authorizes CDFW to issue permits for incidental take of western Joshua trees in connection with clean energy, housing and other projects if a permittee sufficiently mitigates its impacts. Permittees may pay specified fees in lieu of conducting mitigation activities. Funding from the in-lieu mitigation fees will be directed to the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Fund for the sole purposes of acquiring, conserving and managing western Joshua tree conservation lands and completing related conservation activities.</p> <p>The act also authorizes CDFW to enter into agreements with local jurisdictions to provide them with the authority to permit the taking of limited numbers of western Joshua trees associated with developing certain single-family residences, multifamily residences, accessory structures and public works projects.</p> <p>A major goal of the law is to recognize the role public works projects play in providing essential public services and meeting housing needs for Californians, and the role that clean energy projects play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to avoid the worst impacts of the changing climate.</p> <p>The new law also integrates meaningful collaboration with California Native American tribes through government-to-government consultation, co-management and relocation of western Joshua trees to tribal lands upon request.</p> <p>Importantly, the act requires CDFW to develop and implement a western Joshua tree conservation plan in collaboration with governmental agencies, California Native American tribes and the public. No later than Dec. 31, 2024, the complete draft plan must be delivered to the Fish and Game Commission for its review and approval.</p> <p>CDFW has taken the following steps to begin implementation of the new law:</p> <ul> <li>Launched a <a href="/Conservation/Environmental-Review/WJT">western Joshua tree</a> page to provide the latest information to the public, including an interactive map.</li> <li>Created a new position to lead a team overseeing the western Joshua tree conservation effort.</li> <li>Developed a subscriber-based newsletter so the public can stay informed on updates related to implementation of the act.</li> </ul> <p>“The public will have the opportunity to contribute to the plan’s development through public comment and outreach meetings throughout California over the coming 18 months,” said CDFW Environmental Program Manager Isabel Baer. “We look forward to hearing from the public to help make this plan work for everyone.”</p> <p>Please visit CDFW’s <a href="/Conservation/Environmental-Review/WJT">western Joshua tree page</a> for more information and to subscribe to receive the latest updates.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Jordan.Traverso@wildlife.ca.gov">Jordan Traverso</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352</em></p> California Fish and Game Commission Holds Hybrid Meetinghttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/california-fish-and-game-commission-holds-hybrid-meeting2FGCFri, 14 Oct 2022 16:45:53 GMTAt its October 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 Kings Beach, Lake Tahoe with an option for the public to join via Zoom.<p>At its October 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 Kings Beach, Lake Tahoe with an option for the public to join via Zoom.</p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/2022/10/05/governor-newsom-announces-appointments-10-5-22/#:~:text=Anthony%20C.%20Williams%2C%2054%2C,Newsom%20from%202019%20to%202020." target="_blank">Newly appointed Commissioner Anthony Williams</a> rejoined the dais at this Commission meeting. Williams served as commissioner from 2015 to 2019.</p> <p>Regarding whether to list western Joshua tree as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA), after extensive deliberation the Commission continued the agenda item to its February 2023 meeting, keeping the public record open for the specific purpose of continued input from tribal governments.</p> <p>At the Commission’s request the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) committed to co-hosting with local tribes an emergency summit regarding actions, environmental concerns and tribal needs related to Clear Lake hitch conservation efforts.</p> <p>For the 50th consecutive year, the Commission designated one lake and more than 25 miles of stream as heritage and wild trout waters, celebrating two of the state’s many scenic trout fisheries. This year the Commission accepted the CDFW recommendation to designate approximately 30 miles of the North Fork Mokelumne River that supports a robust trout fishery comprised of coastal rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout, and Silver Lake a remote lake in Tulare County which contains a heritage population of Little Kern golden trout.</p> <p>The Commission adopted a 90-day extension of emergency regulations for conditional take of southern California steelhead after approving CDFW’s request for a six-month extension to deliver its one-year status review report on the petition to list the species under CESA.</p> <p>The Commission approved an application for an experimental fishing permit to test the feasibility of capturing king crab and other deepwater crab species using crab pots (traps).</p> <p>The Commission adopted emergency regulations to amend and clarify hoop net regulations in order to minimize entanglement risk of federally protected species and to expand the current identification requirement in effect south of Pt. Arguello, Santa Barbara County, to apply statewide.</p> <p>The Commission authorized notice of intent to amend regulations to enable CDFW to accept electronic display of licenses on a CDFW mobile application.</p> <p>The Full Commission -- President Samantha Murray, Vice President Erika Zavaleta, Commissioners Jacque Hostler-Carmesin, Eric Sklar and Anthony Williams – was present.</p> <p>The agenda for this meeting along with supporting information is available on the <a href="http://www.fgc.ca.gov" target="_blank">Commission website</a>. An archived audio file will be available in coming days. The next meeting of the full Commission is scheduled for Dec. 14-15, 2022 in the San Diego area.</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts</strong>:<br /> <a href="mailto:jordan.traverso@wildlife.ca.gov">Jordan Traverso</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352</em></p> <p>###</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>