IRVINE CO. STARTED HABITAT REMOVAL RIGHT BEFORE HOLIDAY BREAK: On Monday, we were surprised to see The Irvine Co. removing wildlife habitat (above ground vegetation) with tractors pulling mowers and hand crews with machetes and landscape equipment on the northwest corner of the 400 acres, adjacent to Irvine Park.  After calling Steve Gibson, senior environmental scientist with CA Dept of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW), we learned that CDFW quietly approved The Irvine Co.'s incidental take permit (ITP) for the Crotch's bumble bee last Friday without communicating to the public.  We are shocked and dismayed by the lack of transparency of CDFW.  For the past few months, they did not respond to our emails, calls or requests to be included in this discretionary CA Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process.

LEGAL ACTION: We are filing a lawsuit challenging the ITP on the grounds that CDFW violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by issuing the permit without and subsequent or supplemental environmental review.  We've raised $27,000 to get started, but we need at least $50,000.  Please visit our DONATE page or contact jrobinson@naturalist-for-you.org to arrange payment to our attorney directly. 

NEED YOUR BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS: We need before and after photos of the area that is being destroyed as evidence of harm to the wildlife habitat for our legal action.  Please send to jrobinson@naturalist-for-you.org 

SHARE FOOTAGE OF DESTRUCTION ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Rita Robinson was able to capture video of the habitat destruction with Joel Robinson trying to stop the equipment.  DOWNLOAD, WATCH AND SHARE through all means available.

PROTEST: We're protesting with signs at Jamboree near the entrance to Irvine Regional Park where the destruction is located at 8:30AM.  Parking available at Irvine Park or Albertsons.  Please join us.

TAKE ACTION: Please visit our TAKE-ACTION CHECKLIST to share petition, write letters, contact the media, distribute information and raise awareness.

We will not let them permanently destroy the 400-acre wildlife corridor and Native American village site.  Your support is needed more than ever at this critical juncture! 

In gratitude and solidarity,
Barefoot Joel Robinson
No Orange Heights (NOH)
714-798-4392 (text/voice from my laptop)
714-639-8480 (landline)
 
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