What matters to me today are critter protections. Of particular interest is the State of California’s implementation of its Endangered Species Act.
Curiously, California affords full protection to species at the “maybe” stage. Upon the state Fish and Game Commission’s “may be warranted” determination, based solely on the petition filed by the advocate seeking listing, full protection kicks in. Then, and only then, does the state begin its own study of whether protections are warranted. Meanwhile, private landowners are immediately subject to full regulation.
Enter the Crotch’s bumble bee as the latest “maybe” species. The state Act makes no provision for listing insects, so we never have. However, the California Supreme Court let stand a ruling that the bee can be listed as a fish. Yes, the bee is listed according to the fish statute. (Don’t miss the Daily Show’s folly with this decision.)
And then there is the Western Joshua Tree. That “maybe” species purportedly must migrate significantly north due to climate-driven rising temperatures in its current range. And yet, property owners are required to relocate trees onto their existing properties. Estimates are that it costs $5,000 per tree to relocate it to a new spot where it is destined to become extinct. Well, “maybe.”
The legal standard for protection is the “best available science.” Hummmmm . . .
That’s what matters to me today. What matters to you? I’d really like to know.