Commission Declares Spineflower Endangered
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The San Fernando Valley spineflower--which was believed to be extinct until discovered on two housing development sites in 1999--was declared an endangered species by the California Fish and Game Commission on Thursday, Calabasas Mayor Janice Lee said.
About 10,000 spineflowers were discovered at Newhall Ranch in Los Angeles County and Ahmanson Ranch in neighboring Ventura County two years ago. Those projects would create a total of more than 25,000 homes.
At Thursday’s meeting of the Fish and Game Commission, the flower was declared endangered, and Ahmanson Ranch developers said they plan to set aside 330 acres of land to preserve its habitat.
The plan will preserve nearly 1.6 million of the plants, or about 90% of the known population, said Guy Gniadek, president of the Ahmanson Land Co.
Environmentalists have opposed both developments, voicing concerns about the fate of the flower, water quality and other issues. The developers must still secure a number of permits and environmental assurances before beginning construction.
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