Friends — the last 24 hours brought both a surge of momentum and a serious setback. Here’s what happened, what it means, and what we need you to do next.
THE GOOD NEWS
--> The documentary is out and you can watch it right now!
Monday night’s premiere was electric. If you couldn’t be there, you can still see what moved a room full of people to anger, tears, and resolve: “Killing Catalina”
This film is not about politics. It’s about basic, science-based accountability before irreversible decisions are made.
We couldn't be more grateful to our friends at Howl for Wildlife, especially Charles Whitwam who poured heart and soul into this incredible film.
Please share with everyone you know!
--> Supervisor Janice Hahn showed real leadership — again
Supervisor Hahn released a strong statement urging the state to reject the plan and highlighted a key point of dispute that many decision-makers keep dodging: fire risk. Her release points to concerns raised by LA County Fire leadership that eliminating deer can increase vegetation/fuel loads and worsen wildfire conditions.
Read Hahn's press release here (includes her letter + Fire Chief memo).
--> Press coverage started breaking through
This is what public pressure looks like. Coverage started spreading fast — including these stories:
THE BAD NEWS
--> The SERP (CEQA statutory exemption) was granted
On January 26, 2026, CDFW granted the Conservancy’s request for an exemption from the rigors of a full CEQA review. What they asked for and what CDFW gave them, is called a Statutory Exemption for Restoration Projects or SERP.
We asked CDFW to deny the SERP in November – Evidently they weren’t persuaded
We submitted a formal objection letter urging CDFW to decline SERP concurrence. In that letter, we flagged (among other issues) the lack of reliable baseline data (including updated deer counts), concerns about compliance with applicable local law, and serious public-trust/process problems.
You can read our letter here.
--> What all of this means in plain English
SERP is a major procedural hurdle because it’s a way to avoid full CEQA review–including the public notice and public hearings that are involved in a normal CEQA process.
While the actual Restoration Management Permit has not yet been granted, as a practical matter no additional showing beyond what has already been made for the SERP is required for final RMP approval.
Our candid view: this SERP approval dramatically narrows the lane for stopping this through normal administrative channels. That doesn’t mean it’s over — but it means the fight likely shifts to political pressure and legal strategy.
Read the CDFW’s approval notice here.
Read the Conservancy’s announcement here.
Learn more about SERP through the CDFW’s FAQ here.
FOUR THINGS YOU CAN DO ABOUT THIS TODAY
1) Donate to the legal fund
If this is headed where it looks like it’s headed, resources will matter. Our gofundme is linked here.
2) Get LOUD: Contact your electeds today
If the state wants to take shortcuts and move fast, we'll move faster. The core message is simple:
If they’re so confident in the “science,” why are they avoiding full CEQA review? And how do you claim urgency without even having a current, transparent deer count?
If you are a constituent, PLEASE reach out to Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal and Senator Lena Gonzalez. Not sure if you are a constituent? Check here.
Contact Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal
Josh Lowenthal is all in on the Conservancy’s plan. He provided an early letter of support for the “project” which certainly helped the Conservancy’s position. We need to urge him to stand with his constituents. Feel free to use the message below.
Paste these addresses into the "TO" section of your email:
assemblymember.lowenthal@assembly.ca.gov, brian.mineghino@asm.ca.gov, savecatalinadeer@gmail.com
Assemblymember Lowenthal,
I’m a constituent and I am asking you to stop supporting a plan that is moving forward without full CEQA review. If this project is truly grounded in solid science, it should withstand transparent environmental review and genuine public scrutiny — not seek an exemption that limits oversight. Please publicly call on CDFW to retract SERP concurrence and require full CEQA review before any permit is finalized.
Catalina residents and thousands of Californians have repeatedly raised basic questions — including the absence of a current, transparent deer count and disputed assumptions about fire risk. You should be demanding sunlight, not speed. Please stand with your constituents, not with a process designed to avoid accountability.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Contact Senator Lena Gonzalez
Although she and/or her staff have kept apprised and have taken meetings with stakeholders on this issue, Senator Gonzalez has not taken a public position. Feel free to use the message below.
Paste these addresses into the "TO" section of your email:
senator.gonzalez@senate.ca.gov, Abigail.Mejia@sen.ca.gov, savecatalinadeer@gmail.com
Senator Gonzalez,
I’m writing to ask for your help ensuring transparency and science-based decision-making for Catalina Island. CDFW has granted SERP concurrence, which avoids full CEQA review for a project with major public controversy and unresolved baseline questions. If the project is truly supported by best available science, it should go through full CEQA and public process.
Please request that CDFW retract SERP concurrence and require a complete CEQA review before any final permit decision. This is about public trust: meaningful transparency, current baseline facts (including a current deer count), and a process the public can actually participate in.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
3.) Contact Wildlife Decision-Makers
Even though it seems like the decision has already been made, it is absolutely critical that we continue to make our voices heard. If for no other reason than to show that our voices were ignored when we need to down the line. Please contact the following California wildlife decision-makers today.
- Valerie Termini, Interim Director of CDFW
- Erinn Wilson-Olgin, Regional Manager, District 5
- Joshua Grover, Deputy Director CDFW Ecosystem Conservation Division
- California’s Cut-the-Green-Tape Program
- California Senate Natural Resources Committee
- Pablo Garza, Chief Consultant, California State Assembly, Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife
Paste these addresses into the "TO" section of your email:
catalinarestoration@wildlife.ca.gov, restorationpermitting@wildlife.ca.gov, valerie.termini@wildlife.ca.gov, erinn.wilson-olgin@wildlife.ca.gov, Joshua.Grover@wildlife.ca.gov, Pablo.Garza@asm.ca.gov,Senate.Natural. Resources@senate.ca.gov, savecatalinadeer@gmail.com
Subject: Catalina Island: request to require full CEQA review
Dear Interim Director Termini, Regional Manager Wilson-Olgin, Deputy Director Grover, Cut-the-Green-Tape Program and Committee Staff,
I’m urging CDFW to pause or withdraw SERP concurrence for the Catalina Island Restoration Project and require full CEQA review before any Restoration Management Permit is finalized. This is an irreversible action with widespread public concern, and key baseline facts (including a current, transparent deer population estimate) remain disputed.
At minimum: pause any RMP approval; publish the data/models and decision documents relied upon; and require an independent, current deer census and transparent monitoring plan before taking any lethal action.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
4) Keep sharing the petition + the film
Share the petition. Share the documentary. Share Supervisor Hahn’s release. The fastest way to change the political math is more eyes, more calls, more consequences.
The fight is long from over. Stay tuned.