Endangered Species, Article Review Example

Article: United States Fish and Wildlife Service.  (2013).   California: A hot spot for Rare

Species. Retrieved from: http://www.fws.gov/endangered/map/ESA_success_stories/CA/CA_story2/index.html

The article presented on the Fish and Wildlife Homepage for California describes three different types of federally and state listed (endangered) animals, the Santa Cruz Long-toed Salamander, and the Pacific Pocket Mouse, and Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp. It is indicated that California contains over 300 threatened and endangered species.  In fact, California has the most federally protected species compared to every other state.  Most of the species that are listed are located along the coastline and have become threatened due to urbanization and habitat loss.   In addition, the article overviews the most common endangered species in Calfiornia and lists these species as the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus), desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), and Southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis).  Furthermore, these species are described as the most recognizable to the general public.  The purpose of the article was to bring attention to other endangered species that are not as recongnizable, such as the  the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylumcroceum),

The article describes the habitat for each species, the physical characteristics, reproductive patterns, and the current populations.  The Santa Cruz Long-toed Salamander occurs in the central coast of California near Santa Cruz.  The animal is described as living underground in small burrows and due to the increase in urbanization; the salamander became an Endangered Species in the Preservation Act on 1967, before the implementation of the Endangered Species Act in 1973.  Since then, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has formed an ecological reserve in order to protect this species.   The Pacific Pocket Mouse and Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp are also described.  Both species were listed as endangered in 1994 and efforts have been made in order to conserve and protect both of these species.

Article: California Department of Fish and Wildlife.  (2014).  California’s Endangered Species

Act Listing Process.  Retrieved from:  https://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/nongame/t_e_spp/list_proced.html.

The article indicated above is described on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.  The purpose of the article was to present information to the general public on the procedure of listing both Federal and State species as endangered, threatened , or special status.  The article begins by describing the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.  The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is described as a State government department that follows both the Federal Endangered Species Act and the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).  In addition, it describes the purpose of this government department as a means of order to continually manage species lists.  Furthermore, it describes the process in which California uses in order to list species for protection.  There are specific procedures in which individuals and organizations use in order to request for a species to be added.  The California Department of Fish and Wildlife uses different factors to determine the species eligibility, such as the current status of habitat and the possibility of modification to the habitat, competition, disease, predation, overexploitation by collectors or other types of natural disturbances and human activities.

The article provides background information on the Habitat Conservation Planning Branch within the department and indicates its responsibilities for the coordination and evaluation of petition submissions for all types of species, including plants.  It is mentioned that the review process is long, lasting over 12 months, as well as requires the collection of information, data, site visits, consultations with other agencies and organizations.  After a report has been written with scientific data and information, the Department of Fish and Wildlife determines whether or not the species is a candidate for an endangered or threatened species.

Article: EPA. (2011).  NEPA Reviews.  Retrieved from: http://www.epa.gov/region9/socal/nepa.html

The article above was retrieved from the Environmental Protection website.  The artice beings with a description of the Environmental Protection Agency’s, role in the implementation of laws in regard to protecting endangered species.  The article continues to focus on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which was implemented in order for agencies to evaluate the impact of proposed projects that could affect the environment.  The NEPA policy, for instance, requires the issuance of permits before a project can move forward.  In addition, the article EPA has also implemented Environmental Impact Statements in order to specifically analyze the impact of endangered species and other environmental issues, such as water quality and cultural resources.  These types of policies are extremely important and have served to prevent the impact to federally and state listed species.

The article also reports on the status in southern California.  The EPA indicates that the policies set forth in southern California have helped monitor and protect species in numerous projects such as, highway developments and expansions, port expansions, new ports, and watershed projects, such as the Los Angeles Freeway Exchange.  It is further indicated that the EPA is also responsible for providing input in the development of projects related to water resources, referred to as special area management plans.  The plans help manage projects located near waterways and help both environmental and economic issues.

The article ends with a summarization of how the implementations of NEPA guidelines have significantly helped decrease the amount of impacts to the environment.  For instance, a proposal is described that was denied in Riverside County, California due to a high risk environmental impact that would impede on over 62,000 square meters of forest land and over 30 acres of impact to biological resources.