SB 495: Protected species: blunt-nosed leopard lizard: taking or possession.

Existing law prohibits the taking or possession of a fully protected reptile or amphibian, except as provided, and designates the blunt-nosed leopard lizard as a fully protected reptile. The California Endangered Species Act prohibits the taking of an endangered or threatened species, except as specified. Under that act, the Department of Fish and Wildlife is permitted to authorize, by permit, the take of listed species if the take is incidental to an otherwise lawful activity and the impacts are minimized and fully mitigated.

This bill would permit the department to authorize, under the California Endangered Species Act, by permit, the take or possession of the blunt-nosed leopard lizard resulting from impacts attributable to or otherwise related to the Allensworth Community Services Districts drilling and construction of a new water well, connection of the new water well to the existing distribution system, and construction of a new water storage tank, if specified conditions are met. The bill would also make a conforming change and delete obsolete cross-references.

This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.