Z107.7 has reported several times on the Center for Biological Diversity’s effort to have Joshua trees listed as an threatened species. Environmentalists say that climate change threatens the very existence of the iconic trees, while opponents, including the Yucca Valley Town Council and the Hi-Desert Water District Board of Directors, argue that the trees are already protected by the town’s native plant ordinance and listing them as threatened would pose a hardship on residents. Now, Assemblyman Chad Mayes has proposed a bill that would allow owners to cut down the trees in certain circumstances. Managing editor Tami Roleff has more information…
Last week, Assemblyman Chad Mayes introduced a bill, AB235, that would give property owners a temporary loophole to cut down, or “take” Joshua trees, during the one-year period when they are a candidate for listing and before the listing actually takes effect.
A candidate designation triggers a yearlong review of whether the species should be formally protected under the state act. The species is legally protected during the review period.
Mayes’ bill says that if there is a significant economic hardship or an impact on critical infrastructure, and if there is no direct threat to the species that would lead to its decline during that period, then property owners should be allowed to “take” the Joshua trees before they are officially listed on the state’s endangered species list.
The Joshua Tree Gateway Association of Realtors maintains that the trees should not be protected “at the expense of homeowner rights and future generations’ ability to purchase affordable housing.” The Center for Biological Diversity opposes Mayes’ bill, saying it attacks California’s environmental laws and would apply to any species proposed for listing as threatened or endangered in the future, and would lead to owners cutting down trees on their property during that period when they’re on the candidate list.
The California Fish and Game Commission was to make a decision on the issue last month, but postponed its decision to August 20 to allow for more public comment.
AB-235 Endangered species: candidate species: petitions: takings
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB235
