The Beach Reporter. (November 6, 2019) “Protections for 4-inch California gnatcatcher hinder plans for Palos Verdes housing development” Retrieved November 7, 2019,
As Jim York, a wealthy Californian landowner, prepared to build his newest addition to his property environmental scientists worked to use the law to stop him. Because the Calfironia gnatcatcher has been on the California Endangered Species List for the past 25 years, since then residents have been facing difficulties when trying to add more developments to their homes. York’s property specifically runs through a conservation site that protects the gnatcatcher so for the past two decades he has been unable to make major changes to his property. This situation inspired the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to devise a plan that would “balance development with conservation”. The Natural Community Conservation Plan or the Habitat Conservation Plan helps property owners like York get legal permits for construction in environmentally-sensitive areas specifically bordering conservation sites. Although the new statewide plan will hopefully change the way developers plan for construction while keeping wildlife in mind, Jim York still rejects the idea that the birds have an ecological value significant enough to hinder his right to build on private property.
This article shed light on the importance of compromising when it comes to development and the environment. I think it’s interesting how it acknowledged that some environmental efforts are unrealistic however it is always important for people to remember what impact they have on the world. The Natural Community Conservation Plan is a big step forward for the state of California in ensuring the safety of particular endangered species populations. On the other hand, the article exemplified how a large portion of the population is uneducated about the importance of protecting endangered species. People like York don’t always immediately view species like the gnatcatcher as more than a bird and understand the impact of its role in the ecosystem. It reinforces the need for education worldwide to all citizens about the importance of sustainability and living an environmentally-friendly lifestyle.
I think York made a very similar argument to what we discussed in class about the Delta Smelt. Do the birds provide a big enough environmental impact that we should not be able to increase our own living?