OFFICIALS ADVISE AGAINST RACING HARM TO DESERT HABITAT FEARED.Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer CALIFORNIA CITY - State wildlife officials advised against an off-road race scheduled for today in California City over fears it could harm protected wildlife. Whether the race would go on was unclear Friday. A race promoter said the event would take place after an alteration to the course, and California City officials did not return phone calls. ``We're not running wild in the desert. We're running on old, old city streets. We're not disturbing any new habitat,'' BP Motorsports President Lou Peralta said Friday. State Department of Fish and Game officials late Friday sent a letter to Peralta and City Manager William Way The Venerable William Way (alias May, alias Flower) (died 1588) was an English priest and martyr. Way was born in the Diocese of Exeter; Bishop Richard Challoner said he was born in Cornwall, and earlier authorities say in Devonshire. Jr., saying they believe the race - described as the first of eight planned this year - requires an environmental impact report under state law. ``These races and associated activities could result in the death or injury ('take') of desert tortoises desert tortoise see gopherus agassizii. or Mohave ground squirrels 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. ,'' Fish and Game regional manager W.E. Loudermilk wrote. ``I want to prevail upon you to take seriously our recommendations to comply with state law. ... Should you take a species protected under (state law) we would regret the need for enforcement action.'' An environmental group called 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 earlier this week asked for the race to be postponed or relocated re·lo·cate v. re·lo·cat·ed, re·lo·cat·ing, re·lo·cates v.tr. To move to or establish in a new place: relocated the business. v.intr. , citing concerns for potential harm to desert tortoises and Mohave ground squirrels and to rare plants, including 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. 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. Jim Skeen, (661) 267-5743 james.skeen(at)dailynews.com |
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