Habitat Conservation

California's fish and wildlife resources depend upon the quality and quantity of habitat including lands, waters, and other environmental factors necessary for survival.

The Environmental Review and Permitting Programs are responsible to fulfill the mission of the State to encourage the preservation, conservation and maintenance of wildlife resources under the jurisdiction and influence of the State, including the conservation, protection and management of fish, wildlife, native plants, and habitat necessary for biologically sustainable populations of those species.

California Endangered Species Act Permitting (CESA)
The California Endangered Species Act (CESA) allows the Department to authorize project proponents to take state- listed threatened, endangered, or candidate species if certain conditions are met.  The permitting program administers the incidental take provisions of CESA to ensure regulatory compliance and statewide consistency.

California Environmental Quality Act Review (CEQA)
The Department consults with lead and responsible agencies and provides the requisite biological expertise to review and comment upon environmental documents and impacts arising from project activities under the California Environmental Quality Act.

Lake and Steambed Alteration Program (LSA)
The Lake and Streambed Alteration Program determines whether an agreement is needed for an activity that will substantually modify a river, steam or lake.  If DFG determines that the activity may substantially adversely affect fish and wildlife resources, a Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement will be prepared. The Agreement includes reasonable conditions necessary to protect those resources and must comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Timberland Conservation Program
Timber harvesting in California is overseen by multiple state agencies to address the variety of potential impacts logging has on the environment.  The Department may issue permits for road construction across streams and incidental lake permits when endangered species habitat is involved.