Entries by Maureen F. Gorsen

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes New Critical Habitat Designation in California

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has proposed designating approximately 760,000 acres in California as critical habitat for four distinct population segments (DPSs) of the foothill yellow-legged frog, a species that is listed as either endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The critical habitat designation includes areas within the geographical range of the foothill yellow-legged frog that contain the physical or biological features that FWS has deemed essential to the species’ conservation, as well as areas outside the current range that are deemed necessary for the species’ recovery. EPA based its determination on the “best available scientific data after taking into consideration the economic impact, national security impact, and any other relevant impact of specifying any particular area as critical habitat.”

Environmental Groups Bring CEQA Challenges of CARB’s Amendments to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard

Earlier this week, two environmental groups sued the California Air Resources Board (“CARB”) for approving amendments (the “Amendments”) to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (“LCFS”). CARB had voted to amend […]

Regulated Entities in California Communities May Face More Investigation and Enforcement by California Air Resources Board

Regulated entities in designated communities — compiled and termed the “Consistently Nominated AB 617 Communities list” — will want to pay close attention to updates from the California Air Resources […]