The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) are the two primary agencies responsible for fish and wildlife issues impacting rural counties and their citizens.
Some of the most challenging policy areas affecting local government under the jurisdictions of these wildlife agencies include:
- Acquisition of land including wildlife management areas;
- Enforcement of environmental law;
- Review of Timber Harvest Plans;
- Outdoor recreation permits and licenses;
- Approval of Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP’s) and Natural Community Conservation Plans (NCCP’s);
- Endangered species listing and designation of critical habitat;
- Eradication of invasive species; and,
- State Wildlife Action Plan.