Difference between revisions of "California Natural Diversity Database"

Revision as of 16:05, 4 April 2014

The California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) is a program that inventories the status and locations of rare plants and animals in California. It is maintained by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (Biogeographic Data Branch), but it is part of an international network of natural heritage programs managed by NatureServe.

Background

CNDDB was originally developed by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in 1979.^[1] TNC's scientific data branch is now a separate nonprofit organization called NatureServe, which maintains databases of rare and threatened species and ecosystems throughout the Western Hemisphere.^[2] Today,

Use

CNDDB users include federal and state agencies, county and local governments, private consulting firms, environmental groups, land protection organizations, and academic researchers. Two versions of the database are available: a free public version (the CNDDB Quick Viewer) and a more detailed, subscription-based version. As of March 2014, the annual cost to subscribe to the CNDDB was $600 for all clients ($400 annually to resubscribe).^[3]

Free version

The CNDDB Quick Viewer shows information to the 7.5' USGS quadrangle or county level. The Quick Viewer will generate a list of taxa for a given area, but no details. Because the exact locations of endangered and threatened species observations are considered confidential information,

Subscription version

CNDDB and CEQA

§ 21104.2. CONSULTATION AND FINDINGS; EFFECT OF PROJECTS ON THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES The state lead agency shall consult with, and obtain written findings from, the Department of Fish and Game in preparing an environmental impact report on a project, as to the impact of the project on the continued existence of any endangered species or threatened species pursuant to Article 4 (commencing with Section 2090) of Chapter 1.5 of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code.^[4]

15380. ENDANGERED, RARE OR THREATENED SPECIES (a) “Species” as used in this section means a species or subspecies of animal or plant or a variety of plant. (b) A species of animal or plant is: (1) “Endangered” when its survival and reproduction in the wild are in immediate jeopardy from one or more causes, including loss of habitat, change in habitat, overexploitation, predation, competition, disease, or other factors; or (2) “Rare” when either: (A) Although not presently threatened with extinction, the species is existing in such small numbers throughout all or a significant portion of its range that it may become endangered if its environment worsens; or (B) The species is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range and may be considered “threatened” as that term is used in the Federal Endangered Species Act. (c) A species of animal or plant shall be presumed to be endangered, rare or threatened, as it is listed in: (1) Sections 670.2 or 670.5, Title 14, California Code of Regulations; or (2) Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations Section 17.11 or 17.12 pursuant to the Federal Endangered Species Act as rare, threatened, or endangered. (d) A species not included in any listing identified in subdivision (c) shall nevertheless be considered to be endangered, rare or threatened, if the species can be shown to meet the criteria in subdivision (b). (e) This definition shall not include any species of the Class Insecta which is a pest whose protection under the provisions of CEQA would present an overwhelming and overriding risk to man as determined by: (1) The Director of Food and Agriculture with regard to economic pests; or (2) The Director of Health Services with regard to health risks. Note: Authority

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