Spring in California's Mojave Desert. (USFWS) - Photo Credit: n/a

Desert Mountains near California's Mojave Desert. (Rick Farris/USFWS) - Photo Credit: n/a

The Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office (VFWO) has established a sub-office in the city of San Bernardino, Calif., to handle a burgeoning workload of renewable energy projects in the California desert and other issues affecting desert species.

“San Bernardino is an ideal location because of its proximity to the desert,” said Brian Croft, a VFWO wildlife biologist who works in the sub-office. “Renewable energy projects have become a larger part of our workload and we’re able to work more effectively when we are close to desert resources and to the individuals and agencies that we coordinate with on renewable energy projects.”

The sub-office staff works on solar and wind projects and other issues affecting endangered species in Inyo County, almost all of San Bernardino County, the eastern part of Kern County, and the central and southern portions of Mono County.

In addition to Croft, the San Bernardino sub-office has two other biologists, Amy Torres and Erin Nordin. More biologists will join the office in the future if funding for positions becomes available.

 The Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office is responsible for federally-listed endangered species in Inyo County, almost all of San Bernardino County, the eastern part of Kern County, and the central and southern portions of Mono County. The sub-office staff works on solar and wind projects and other issues affecting endangered species in these counties.

Some of these solar and wind projects include: The 4,500-acre BrightSource proposed solar project in Ivanpah Valley in California’s Mojave Desert, which impacts the desert tortoise, rare plants, and other species; RES Granite Wind, a proposed wind energy project in the Mojave Desert with impacts to desert tortoises and golden eagles; and AES Wind, another proposed wind project in the Mojave Desert with impacts to golden eagles.

Office staff also works with wind and solar developers prior to formal consultation with federal agencies responsible for the projects. Other responsibilities include working on the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan and Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep issues.

For more information on the VFWO, go to http://www.fws.gov/ventura/