Public Comment on CalPortland Desert Tortoise Permit for Oro Grande Mine
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
This notice opens public review of CalPortland’s request for a federal permit that would allow limited harm or disturbance to the threatened desert tortoise while the company continues mining and cement operations at its Oro Grande site in San Bernardino County, California. The permit is not final. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking comments on CalPortland’s draft habitat conservation plan and the agency’s draft environmental assessment by June 3, 2026. CalPortland’s plan includes moving tortoises offsite with approved biologists and buying conservation bank credits to offset impacts.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Opens a public comment period on CalPortland’s proposed desert tortoise incidental take permit
- Reviews a draft habitat conservation plan covering continued mining and cement operations at Oro Grande
- Identifies proposed mitigation, including tortoise relocation by approved biologists and purchase of conservation bank credits
Obligations
What this law requires
Any person submitting written comments on the draft habitat conservation plan or draft environmental assessment must submit them by an authorized method: online through regulations.gov for Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2025-0054 or by U.S. mail to Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2025-0054, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB/3W, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
All comment submissions must include Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2025-0054; comments submitted without using the identified docket procedures may not be considered.
Comments must not be submitted by email, fax, hand delivery, unauthorized methods, or to addresses not listed in the notice; the Service states such comments will not be considered.
Commenters should not include profanity, vulgarity, threats, or other inappropriate content in comments, because the Service states such comments will not be considered.
Persons submitting comments that contain personal identifying information may request in the comment that the Service withhold that information from public review, but the Service does not guarantee it can do so.