ENVIRONMENTALISTS TRYING TO STOP RACE.Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer CALIFORNIA CITY - Environmentalists are trying to stop an off-road race scheduled for Saturday, saying proper environmental reviews have not been conducted and that the event could imperil im·per·il tr.v. im·per·iled or im·per·illed, im·per·il·ing or im·per·il·ling, im·per·ils To put into peril. See Synonyms at endanger. sensitive wildlife and plants. The Center for Biological Diversity The Center for Biological Diversity combines conservation biology with litigation, policy advocacy, and an innovative strategic vision to secure a future for animals and plants hovering on the brink of extinction, for the wilderness they need to survive, and by extension for the is trying to halt an off-road race being held by BP Motorsports of Woodland Hills in California City. The group says the city should have conducted a biological and public review of the race under the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is a California law (California Public Resources Code section 21000 et seq.) passed in 1970, shortly after the Federal Government passed the National Environmental Policy Act. . The race imperils the desert tortoise desert tortoise see gopherus agassizii. , listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act The federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) (16 U.S.C.A. §§ 1531 et seq.) was enacted to protect animal and plant species from extinction by preserving the ecosystems in which they survive and by providing programs for their conservation. , and the Mohave ground squirrel The Mohave Ground Squirrel, Spermophilus mohavensis, is a species of ground squirrel found only in the western Mojave Desert, California. It is listed as an endangered species in California, but not in the United States. The IUCN lists this species as vulnerable. , listed as a threatened species by state regulators. ``This is the time of year when they are active and could be in the road,'' said Daniel Patterson Daniel Todd Patterson (6 March 1786 – 25 August 1839) was an officer in the United States Navy during the Quasi-War with France, the First Barbary War and the War of 1812. Patterson was born on Long Island, New York. , a biologist with the Center of Biological Diversity. The race also endangers two plant species, the Barstow woolly sunflower Noun 1. woolly sunflower - any plant of the genus Eriophyllum wild flower, wildflower - wild or uncultivated flowering plant Eriophyllum, genus Eriophyllum - genus of hairy herbs and shrubs of western North America and desert cymopterus, Patterson said. City Manager William Way said the city is monitoring the race preparations and has asked that a wildlife biologist review the race plans. The city has also been in contact with California Department of Fish and Game officials to clarify the situation. ``Steps are being taken to alleviate the concerns out there,'' Way said. ``The city's position is to monitor this and to do the wisest thing.'' The race, featuring motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, is the first of eight such events planned in the Kern County desert, organizers said. ``All these events are held on established roads and trails,'' said Louis Worthy of Desert Racing, which is helping promote the race. ``Plants don't grow on established trails and desert tortoises don't make their homes in the middle of roads.'' Race promoters had tried to set up a similar race series last year, but those plans were scrapped after the California Department of Fish and Game sent a letter to the city saying that an environmental review would be required. In that letter, wildlife officials said protected species could be harmed by being hit by vehicles, by their burrows being run over, or by race-related fires. The letter said wildlife could be harmed whether or not the race is held on roads because wildlife uses the road and because racers may not stay on the course. Development of staging areas, spectator areas and facilities, and support operations as well as the specific race alignment will result in impacts to habitat, according to the letter. Jim Skeen, (661) 267-5743 james.skeen(at)dailynews.com |
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