CalTrout On The Race To Save Southern Steelhead In Southland
Southern #steelhead are on the brink of extinction. That's why #CalTrout is leading the effort to include this native fish on California's Endangered Species List. The petition is currently under review, and we need your help to make it happen. https://t.co/HPoU5OD5Qp
— California Trout (@CalTrout) April 14, 2022
CalTrout posted an important feature on the endangered Southern steelhead of Southland rivers. (Here’s more from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the species).
And a little bit of more recent news from the CalTrout report:
During the February 2022 California Fish and Game Commission (FGC) meeting, the Commission heard presentations from scientists with CDFW — who evaluated and affirmed the science supporting the Southern steelhead CESA petition — and from CalTrout’s South Coast Regional Director, Dr. Sandra Jacobson. Following the presentations, CDFW Fisheries Branch concluded that the petition contained sufficient scientific merit to warrant action by the Commission. The Commission also received comments from stakeholders on whether to advance the CalTrout-led petition to list Southern steelhead through CESA. If advanced, the FGC would require CDFW to complete a year-long status review of the species. During the status review period, Southern steelhead would be considered a “candidate species” and thus would receive the full protections of a listed endangered species during that time.
In discussion, the Commission acknowledged that the scientific rationale of the petition is sound and the threat of extinction is apparent. However, the Commission decided to defer advancing the petition to the full status review period by CDFW until the next Commission meeting, and they closed the public comment record.
“Take” Allowances
Several public entities requested that they receive “take allowances” during the status review under Fish and Game Code 2084.
Since 1997, Southern steelhead have been federally listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). To comply with the ESA, any activities that result in “take” are illegal. “Take” is defined as “harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct.” To comply with this law, all entities must apply for and receive an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) to ensure their activities will not contribute to extinction of the species. Under CESA law, existing federal ITPs for ”take” would not immediately apply. Instead, under CESA, some activities could now have potential “take” of Southern steelhead and face legal challenges and fines.
FGC uses the request for 2084 “take allowance” as a mechanism for having CDFW determine if the existing ITPs are acceptable to the state — and whether these activities may continue during the status review period. On April 21st, 2022, the FGC will consider and potentially act on the CalTrout-led Southern steelhead listing petition in addition to considering 2084 regulatory action to allow “take.”
