Mining vs. Tortoises: Public Input Sought on Habitat Plan
Published Date: 5/4/2026
Notice
Summary
CalPortland wants permission to keep mining at their Oro Grande site in San Bernardino County, even though it might accidentally harm the threatened desert tortoise. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reviewing a plan to protect the tortoise while allowing mining to continue and is asking the public to share their thoughts by June 3, 2026. This plan balances business activity with saving a special desert animal.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Permit Would Allow Mining To Continue
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering a permit that would allow CalPortland to continue vested mining and cement manufacturing at the Oro Grande site in San Bernardino County, California even if that activity results in incidental harm to the federally threatened desert tortoise. The Service is accepting public comments on the draft plan and environmental assessment through June 3, 2026.
Permit Tied To Biologist Work And Mitigation Credits
As described in the draft habitat conservation plan, CalPortland would employ authorized biologists to translocate desert tortoises to an offsite safe location and would purchase desert tortoise mitigation credits from an approved conservation bank to mitigate impacts. Those actions are proposed to reduce and compensate for incidental take if the permit is issued.
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