A lawsuit filed by a San Francisco-based environmental group Wednesday accuses the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of the Interior of neglecting to protect one of the state's most vulnerable threatened species, the California red-legged frog, and 12 other endangered animals. The suit, filed in San Francisco's Northern District Court on behalf of the Center for Biological Diversity, suggests the agencies bowed to political pressure from the Bush administration when they reduced the amount of federally designated "critical habitat" for the California red-legged frog by 90 percent last year. CC Times 12/20/07
The water level in Lake Shastal is significantly increasing for the first time since late March. The lake had dipped to its lowest level since it hit 155 feet below the crest in 1992. It was still far short of the record low mark of 230 feet below set in 1977. Redding 12/20/07
Mexico has announced it will allow imports of California spinach -- as long as it's grown and shipped by member-companies of the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement. Mexico's Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks announced the import requirements late last month. Canada issued similar import requirements earlier this year. Since the Mexican border closed to California spinach in September 2006, the Western Growers Association and the Foreign Agriculture Service have been working with the Mexican government to reverse its decision. The Californian 12/20/07
Another Mediterranean fruit fly has been found in Dixon, prompting concern about quarantines affecting future fruit and nut harvests. The last adult Medfly from the original infestation was found on Sept. 17 and the last larvae were found on Sept. 19. A quarantine was put on all Dixon area agriculture, forcing farmers to alter they way they ship, harvest and dispose of their goods. The original quarantine period was set to expire July 31, 2008, but the quarantine period likely will be extended. The Vacaville Reporter 12/20/07
Under pressure from imports, farmers are producing less asparagus even as U.S. consumers are eating more, a new federal report says. Most fresh-market asparagus comes from Mexico, which can supply the U.S. market during late winter and early spring, and Peru, which ships in fall and winter. Recordnet 12/20/07
Circuit Judge William Gary denied a temporary injunction sought by California citrus growers of an emergency rule designed to guard Florida's citrus crop against a fungus that might be on California fruit shipped into the state. Canadian Press 12/20/07
The California Department of Food and Agriculture today launched a website to inform farmers and ranchers of the more than $1.3 million in federal grant funds awarded in October through the California Specialty Block Grant Program to 12 innovative agricultural projects that will increase market demand for the state’s specialty crop industry and further research initiatives on covered commodities. CDFA News Release 12/19/07
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