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Quality Habitat for Threatened and Endangered Species
The Environmental Contaminants (EC) staff works closely with other biologists in the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife office to identify, protect and restore endangered species and their habitat. Many environmental contaminants, both from historical and present activities, threaten the protection and recovery of endangered and threatened species. These include contamination related to agricultural practices, industrial operations, land development, urban sprawl, transportation, spills, and other activities in southern California.
Quality Habitat for Fish and Wildlife on Military Bases
The EC staff worked with military personnel to determine appropriate cleanup levels that are protective of the endangered San Bernardino kangaroo rat (SBKR) at Norton Air Force Base. Soils on an old landfill site on the base were found to contain metals, pesticides, PAHs, PCBs and dioxins. Exposure to dioxins and other pollutants may result in adverse effects to SBKR and other species including loss of body weight, appetite suppression, delayed lethality, reduced survival, reduced growth, and adverse reproductive effects. To aid in the recovery of the endangered SBKR, the EC staff recommended protective cleanup levels for the site that were agreed to by the military.
Quality Habitat for Trust Resources after Spills
The EC staff works closely with local, state and other Federal agencies to protect fish, wildlife and their habitat during and after oil spills and other hazardous substance releases. The EC staff is involved during response, injury and damage assessment, and restoration. |