Western Joshua Tree Hazard Management Permit Program
Summary
SCH Number
2025031172
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Conservation Planning
(CDFW)
Document Title
Western Joshua Tree Hazard Management Permit Program
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/27/2025
Document Description
Pursuant to the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (Fish & G. Code, § 1927.4), CDFW is authorized to issue permits (hazard management permits) to take dead western Joshua trees and to trim living western Joshua trees if the western Joshua tree in question: (1) has fallen over and is within 30 feet of a structure; (2) is leaning against an existing structure; or (3) creates an imminent threat to public health or safety. CDFW typically issues hazard management permits for the take of 1-5 western Joshua trees. The most common scenarios for the issuance of hazard management permits are for: (1) removal of dead and detached trees; (2) removal of dead and detached limbs; (3) trimming living trees; (4) trimming and removing dead and attached trees; and (5) removing dead and detached crowns and trimming and removing dead and attached trunks. CDFW issues several hundred hazard management permits annually.
Contact Information
Name
Mika Samoy
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Conservation Planning Branch
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Location
Counties
Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Mono, Riverside, San Bernardino, Tulare, Ventura
Regions
Countywide
Other Location Info
The range of western Joshua tree includes part or all of the following counties: Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Mono, Ventura, Riverside, Tulare, San Bernardino.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15301, Class 1, and Section 15304, Class 4
Reasons for Exemption
The Project consists of maintenance of existing landscaping and maintenance of native growth and minor private alterations in the condition of land or vegetation which do not involve the removal of healthy, mature trees.
County Clerks
Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Mono, Riverside, San Bernardino, Tulare, Ventura
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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