On January 3, a coalition of environmental and Native American groups filed a lawsuit agains the California Department of Fish and Game. The group argues that when the state’s fish and game officials granted permits on December 3 for the development of the Newhall Ranch, they violated state environmental codes.

Newhall Ranch is the last major tract of undeveloped land in Los Angeles County and is home to 14 different bird species that are endangered or of concern. The unarmored three-spined stickleback, a small endangered fish, inhabits the river's upper reaches. The river estuary supports the western snowy plover, least tern, and tidewater goby, all federally listed as endangered.

Though the developers put a conservation plan in place, the plaintiffs argue that they didn't do enough -- and that the fish and game officials should not support such a destructive plan. Especially considering the number of endanged species that live in the area, it's shocking that fish and game officials would disregard their reponsibilities to approve such a plan.

Image: mikebaird