Interest was high yesterday at the California Fish and Game Commission’s hearing on whether or not to add the western Joshua tree to the list of threatened species under the California Endangered Species Act. At the end of the day the current and future status of the iconic tree remained uncertain.
Academics, stakeholders, and members of the public watched in person in Los Angeles and remotely at two satellite hearing sites. There was also an online live feed that could be accessed via computer or phone. Following presentations from the Department of Fish and Wildlife staff and The Center for Biological Diversity, the organization that filed the petition, speaker after speaker stepped up to the mic to voice their opinion.
Those in favor included scientists, members of the public, environmental groups, and others; while those opposed had more of an economic interest in the issue. They included trade unions, municipalities including Yucca Valley, and representatives of large solar energy producers.
Following nearly six hours of testimony, the commission voted to end the public comment period and pick up today beginning at 9:30 a.m. with deliberation among themselves. If the commission does ultimately make a final decision on the issue today Z107.7 News will interrupt regular programming to report the outcome.
Fish and Game Commission
Wildlife Heritage and Conservation
June 16, 2022
Conference Room 1.040 (1st Floor)
100 S. Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Trinidad Rancheria Administrative Office
Conference Room 1
Cher-Ae Lane
Trinidad, CA 95570
1610 Kearney Street
Saint Helena, CA 94574
Participate via Webinar/Teleconference
The meeting will be live streamed; visit www.fgc.ca.gov the day of the meeting to watch or listen.
To provide public comment during the meeting, please join at an in-person location, via Zoom, or by telephone; click here for instructions on how to join.
Due to rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in the Los Angeles area, and in order to protect public heath and safety, masks are now required at the California Department of Transportation Building in Los Angeles, the main in-person location for the California Fish and Game Commission’s June 15-16, 2022 meeting. If you plan to attend the meeting in Los Angeles, you will be required wear a mask in the building. We will have a small number of masks available for individuals who do not bring their own.
Members of the public are welcome to participate in-person at one of three meeting locations, or participate via Zoom webinar or phone. The agenda for the meeting and instruction for participation are available on our website: https://fgc.ca.gov/Meetings/2022
