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