Endangered and threatened species: habitat mitigation.

Existing law, the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) , prohibits the importation, exportation, taking, possession, purchase, or sale of any threatened or endangered species, except in certain situations. CESA, with exceptions, authorizes the Department of Fish and Game to authorize the take of threatened species, endangered species, or candidate species by permit if the take is incidental to an otherwise lawful activity, the impacts of the authorized take are minimized and fully mitigated, the permit is consistent with specified regulations, and the applicant ensures adequate funding to implement the minimization and mitigation measures and monitor compliance with, and effectiveness of, those measures. This bill would make several statements of legislative intent, relating to the establishment of alternatives for financial assurances under CESA for public agencies that would ensure that those agencies fully fund their obligations on an ongoing basis for habitat mitigation and the maintenance and monitoring of that mitigation.