Federal and California Endangered Species Acts

Jennifer Jeffers presented on the Federal and California Endangered Species Acts (FESA and CESA), two of the most comprehensive and contentious environmental laws affecting the development and use of federal, state and private lands and resources. With more than 1,950 species listed under FESA and CESA, and approximately 100 million acres of critical habitat designated under FESA, the statutes play a critical role in regulating water and land management, and their permit requirements are often triggered by development projects. 

The presentation explored:

• The history, purpose and objectives of FESA/CESA
• Key statutory provisions and obligations
• How the presence of an endangered or threatened species on private or public lands can overlap with real estate development and the requirement for certain permitting and mitigation obligations
• Enforcement considerations and penalties
• How FESA/CESA overlap with other crucial federal and state natural resource protection laws
• How these laws impact conservation, allow for certain exemptions, and balance environmental protection with property development realities
• Illustrative examples and ongoing challenges