The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will conduct two public hearings Oct. 22 in San Luis Obispo on a proposal to designate approximately 1.7 million acres in California and southern Oregon as critical habitat for 15 species of vernal pool plants and animals.
The main threat to these species is loss of habitat, especially due to residential or commercial development and agricultural land conversions. Critical habitat designation does not impose restrictions on private lands, unless a project involves federal funds, permits or activities.
In Monterey, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties, the proposed critical habitat encompasses 321,837 acres. The vernal pool species found in these counties include the endangered vernal pool fairy shrimp, Conservancy fairy shrimp, longhorn fairy shrimp, and Contra Costa goldfields, an endangered plant.
The hearings will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 333 Madonna Road. Two sessions are scheduled
