Workshop sessions scheduled Wednesday and Thursday in Fresno and SacramentoPublic hearing in Sacramento on Oct. 24
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will conduct public workshops Oct. 16 in Fresno and Oct. 17 in Sacramento 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 the San Joaquin Valley, the proposed critical habitat encompasses 732,782 acres in Fresno, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tulare counties. In the Sacramento area, the proposal covers 153,890 acres in Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties.
In Fresno, the workshop will be at the LaRyan Event Center, 4277 N. West Ave. In Sacramento, the workshop will be at the Radisson Hotel, 500 Leisure Lane.
Two sessions are scheduled at each workshop
