Information Release
February 3rd, 2021
Contact: Susy Boyd, Public Policy Coordinator, Mojave Desert Land Trust, [email protected]
(This page was updated with information from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on 10/13/22)
WESTERN JOSHUA TREE REGULATIONS
Overview
On October 9, 2020, the western Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) was designated as a candidate species for listing as threatened under California’s Endangered Species Act (CESA). The Mojave Desert Land Trust supports the candidacy for listing of the western Joshua tree.
We are working closely with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), local governments, the petitioner, and our supporters to provide up-to-date information about resources and processes for compliance with the interim regulations. Under the current listing, it’s a violation of California Fish and Game Code to trim or remove (or “take”) a tree without first obtaining a permit.
Below, the reader will find links to permit application for removal or trimming of western Joshua trees (including dead trees), information on reporting violations, and a list of resources for those who may need professional assistance in order to obtain a permit.
Please click here to access CDFW’s info page on Incidental Take Permits.
Applying for a permit
To apply to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife:
Permitting needs related to western Joshua tree management should be addressed to your appropriate CDFW regional office:
Region 6 (serving Imperial, Inyo, Mono, Riverside and San Bernardino counties)
(909) 484-0583, [email protected]
Region 5 (serving Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties)
(585) 467-4201, [email protected]
Region 4 (serving Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Stanislaus, Tulare, and Tuolomne counties)
(559) 243-4005, [email protected]
For residents of San Bernardino County:
San Bernardino County currently does not have a permit program in place for the planned removal of western Joshua trees associated with the construction of single-family homes, accessory buildings or small infrastructure projects. Permits for these types of projects will need to be obtained through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Residents in unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County who wish to remove a dead tree must apply directly to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. For planned single-family home, accessory structure or small infrastructure projects in unincorporated San Bernardino County that are built in the vicinity of western Joshua trees but will not result in their removal, persons must adhere to this technical guidance document.
For more information about compliance in San Bernardino County (unincorporated) contact:
Building and Safety Department
385 N. Arrowhead Avenue
San Bernardino, CA 92415
(909) 387-8311
http://www.sbcounty.gov/Uploads/LUS/BandS/Handouts/IB-0016.pdf
Reporting Violations:
To report a possible violation, the process is as follows:
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
The first point of contact for reporting is California Fish and Wildlife’s CalTIP service.
https://wildlife.ca.gov/enforcement/caltip
Call CalTIP (888) 334-CalTIP/ (888) 334-2258
Documentation of violations is helpful to law enforcement. Some details that could be helpful include:
- The date and time of the violation
- Vehicle descriptions and/or license plates
- Details of the violation – the size of the area and number of trees, is it ongoing or after the fact
- Photographic or video documentation
We want to emphasize that your safety is paramount and that you should not put yourself in danger. If there is any potential for confrontation, we recommend you do not gather information/evidence, but instead, that you call law enforcement from a safe location and that you give them the location and a description of what you saw. If you can wait, meet them when they arrive, answer any further questions they have, and give them directions to the location of the violation.
Timely reporting of violations is important. If a wildlife or code enforcement office can reach the scene while the violation is taking place, it makes it much easier to prove and support.
Resources for Persons Seeking a Permit:
MDLT neither recommends nor endorses the individuals or firms shown here. The list is maintained as a courtesy to the public. If you would like your firm added to this list, please contact [email protected]
Joshua Tree Movers:
The Landscape Center [Arborist/Tree Mover]
Attn: Dillon Reynolds
9505 Cleveland Avenue, Riverside, CA 92503
(951) 352-8383
Joshua Tree Evaluators:
Greg Ainsworth, MCRP [Biologist/CEQA/NEPA/Permitting/Arboriculture/Restoration/Compliance-Construction Monitoring]
Natural Resources and Forestry Director
Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Environmental Scientists | Planners | Engineers
805-644-4455 x3061
818-564-5544 Mobile
805-465-9091 Direct
rinconconsultants.com
Arbor Tech Services [Warren Miller ISA #WE-2001A] [Arborist]
(760) 322-2234
[email protected]
PO Box 2509
Palm Springs, CA 92263
Attn: Carissa Sheen
www.arbortechservicesps.com
Serving: Entire Coachella Valley, Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree
Randy Arnold, Principal & Senior Biologist
RCA Associates, LLC.
15555 Main Street, Suite D4-235
Hesperia, California 92345
760-956-9212 – Office
760-244-0791 – Fax
[email protected]
Mitchel Beauchamp [Biologist/CEQA/Joshua Tree Planning]
Pacific Southwest Biological Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 985
National City, CA 91951
619-477-5333
619-477-5380 fax
[email protected]
Envicom Corporation [Botanist/Biologist/Arborist/NEPA/CEQA/Land Planning/Environmental Constraints/Development Suitability/GIS/Permitting and Compliance [CA Fish and Wildlife]
28328 Agoura Road
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
818-879-4700
Kay J. Greeley [ISA Certified Arborist/Civil Engineer/Joshua Tree Preservation Plans]
284 Valley Gate Road
Simi Valley, CA 93065
805-577-8432
Mark Hagan [Wildlife Biologist/Botany/CEQA/Joshua Tree Preservation Plans]
44715 17th Street East
Lancaster, CA 93535
661-723-0086
Cell: 661-433-9956
[email protected]
Richard Ibarra [Consulting Arborist/Joshua Tree Impacts]
Trees, Etc.
P.O. Box 4583
Thousand Oaks, CA 91359
805-558-8733
Tip Top Tree Arborists [Arborist]
Attn: Tom Baal
P.O. Box 2107
Lancaster, CA 93539
661-942-5501
661-810-3772 cell
Marinna Wagner [Consulting / Reporting]
ISA Certified Arborist
#WE-13354A
[email protected]
Yucca Valley, CA
Taylor Guyette [ISA Certified Arborist]
ISA #WE-13016A
760-821-5792
[email protected]
Altec Land Planning / Altec Engineering, Inc.
Randy Coleman [AICP, Certified Arborist, Certified Wildlife Biologist, CDFW:Scientific Collecting Permit #11586, PE #36292, PLS #5413, QSD/P]
Ginger Coleman [MPA, Director of Environmental Planning]
Chad Martin [Project Manager for Surveying/Topography and Grading Plans]
Planning Office: (760) 242-9917
Engineering Office: (760) 242-9900
P.O. Bo 1175
Model Home:
19531 Highway 18
Apple Valley, CA 92307
Gene Jennings [Consultant/Environmental Review and Compliance: CEQA, NEPA, MSHCP/Pre-Project Agency Consultation/Project Development/Technical Studies and Reporting]
35414 Acacia Ave Yucaipa, CA
(909) 534-4547
e-mail: [email protected]
www.jennings-environmental.com
(1) Desert native plant specialist means: (A) An arborist certified by the International Society of Arborists; or (B) An individual with a four-year college degree in ecology or fish and wildlife related biological science from an accredited college and at least two years of professional experience with relocation or restoration of native California desert vegetation; or (C) An individual with at least five years of professional experience with relocation or restoration of native California desert vegetation.