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-Editorial
The Imperial County Board of Supervisors voted to ratify a letter reaffirming its opposition to listing the Western Burrowing Owl as a threatened or endangered species within Imperial County. The letter, submitted to the California Fish and Game Commission on Sept. 29, supports the state Department of Fish and Wildlife’s request for a six-month extension to complete its one-year status review of the species.
The action reiterates the county’s position that Imperial Valley should be exempt from any statewide protective designation due to its large and stable owl population. County officials cited decades of successful local conservation practices, including the use of artificial burrows and agricultural co-management programs, as evidence that regional management has been effective.
“Listing the species in our region would misrepresent population conditions and impose unnecessary regulatory burdens on agriculture, renewable energy, housing, and Lithium Valley development,” Chairman Hawk stated. “These projects are critical for one of California’s most economically disadvantaged counties, where unemployment and poverty remain among the highest in the state. Additional restrictions would jeopardize jobs, clean energy growth, and economic opportunity in our community.”
Hawk wrote that a six-month extension would give the California Department of Fish and Wildlife time to incorporate the most recent scientific data into its review. Without the extension, he warned, the Fish and Game Commission would be forced to decide without the most comprehensive and up-to-date information. Hawk added that the additional time is essential to ensure any determination accurately reflects population stability in Imperial County.
Officials said the ratified letter ensures the Commission’s decision will be based on the most current scientific data, including recent surveys from the Imperial and Coachella valleys. The Board emphasized that its position supports a science-based approach that acknowledges regional declines elsewhere while recognizing the stability of local owl populations.
The Western Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) is currently under formal review as a candidate species for listing under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). The California Fish and Game Commission voted in October 2024 to grant the owl candidate status, giving it temporary protections equivalent to those of threatened or endangered species while the California Department of Fish and Wildlife completes a one-year scientific review.
The petition to list the owl, filed in March 2024, cited ongoing threats such as habitat loss, declines in ground-burrowing mammals that provide nesting sites, agricultural and urban land conversion, pesticide exposure, and predation. The Commission’s decision initiated a 12-month review period for state biologists to assess available data and determine whether permanent protections are warranted.
Statewide surveys show the owl’s numbers have declined in many parts of California, particularly along the coast and in rapidly urbanizing areas. However, the Imperial Valley remains a stronghold, supporting one of the largest and most stable populations in the state, with several thousand breeding pairs reported. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s final report is expected to guide the Commission’s decision on whether to grant full listing protection in 2026.