RCRC has lent its support to Senate Bill 62, authored by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa). SB 62 would make permanent an “accidental take” of candidate, threatened, or endangered species resulting from acts that occur on a farm or a ranch in the course of otherwise lawful routine.
During most routine agricultural activities, it is difficult to fully mitigate for the thousands of candidate, threatened, and protected species listed under the California Endangered Species Act, even with the most diligent prevention measures and reasonably expected expenditures for the agriculture industry. In light of this, a permanent exemption for the accidental take of these species resulting from routine agricultural activities is completely reasonable, particularly when the State has already allowed a temporary exemption.
RCRC’s support letter can be accessed here. Staci Heaton, RCRC Regulatory Affairs Advocate, can be reached at (916) 447-4806 or sheaton@rcrcnet.org.