The legislation, which also permits solar projects, was prompted by the California Fish and Game Commission’s inability to act on a petition to list the tree as threatened.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration on Wednesday proposed the first legislation focused on protecting a climate-threatened species while also permitting development across Southern California’s sunniest desert parcels.was prompted by the California Fish and Game Commission’s inability to act on a petition filed more than three years ago seeking to list the living symbols of the California desert as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act.
“The solar and storage industry is encouraged by this proposed legislation and appreciates the work of state leaders to maintain California’s clean energy leadership and protect the iconic Joshua tree,” said Sean Gallagher, senior vice president of policy for the Solar Energy Industries Association. The proposed legislation is based on input from stakeholders including conservationists, lawmakers, tribal leaders, property owners, renewable energy companies, labor organizations and the construction industry, officials said.
Nearly half of the western Joshua tree’s range is on private land that includes the rapidly growing communities of Palmdale, Lancaster, Hesperia, Victorville, andTemporary protections offered candidates for listing normally remain in place until a final vote is taken by the commission.
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