"Yadon Piperia [Piperia yadonii], an orchid native to Monterey County [California], was designated an endangered species six years ago. Now the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to designate more than 2,300 acres where it grows as critical habitat.
... with a large portion of that being privately owned, it isn't entirely clear how that designation would affect county property owners. When an area is designated critical habitat but is on private property, it usually has little or no legal bearing... One of the areas that would be included on the list is 904 acres owned by the Pebble Beach Co. A good portion of that is supposed to be home to the controversial golf course project that environmentalists say would destroy thousands of Monterey pines and harm sensitive wetlands and wildlife habitat. Golf course project director Alan Williams said the project won't harm the Yadon Piperia. Williams said the company has submitted a draft conservation strategy to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that will protect the plant. The Pebble Beach Co. surveyed the area and found 120,000 plants growing there, Williams said. But only 43,000 plants are actually needed to assure the survivability of the plant, he said. The plant has small white flowers on a slender stalk and grows primarily in Monterey pine forests. "Even though we are disturbing some," Williams said. "We are setting aside more than enough permanent open land that will more than enhance and preserve the species." ... It's not clear if the conservation strategy crafted by the Pebble Beach Co. will be enough to satisfy the Coastal Commission, which raised some of the same objections of environmentalists -- that the project would compromise environmentally sensitive habitat. The Pebble Beach Co. withdrew its application for Coastal Commission approval in June when it became clear the commission had serious environmental concerns and could vote to deny the project... ... Piperia yadonii, was named for Vern Yadon, former longtime director of the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History... Originally the federal agency had not deemed it prudent to list the plant's critical habitat, saying it would be of no benefit because it grows largely on private property where the federal government has no influence. Federal officials were also concerned the declaration of critical habitat would leave the plant prey to vandalism or collection. As sometimes happens with concerns over endangered species or critical habitat, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was sued by the Center for Biological Diversity in August 2004 to force its listing. The federal agency agreed to do so in December of that year. Though the critical habitat may not have any enforcement authority, Grunwald [spokeswoman with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service] said, "It helps raise the consciousness of landowners. It identifies areas that are necessary for the conservation of habitat." ... Emily Roberson, director of the Native Plant Conservation Campaign for the Center of Biological Diversity, said the law is ambiguous as to the impact of the critical habitat listing.... "The endangered species act is supposed to lead to the recovery and delisting of species," she said. "Obviously you can't protect species without protecting their habitat." Public comment on the proposed listing of critical habitat for the Yadon Piperia will be accepted until Dec. 18. To comment on the proposed listing, write to the Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2493 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura 93003. By fax, 805-644-3958 or [EMAIL PROTECTED]" article URL : http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/15826930.htm *********** Regards, VB _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
