Oversight and Enforcement

• The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) oversees and enforces the act. This includes setting criteria for extinction and varying levels of endangerment, producing the lists of protected plant and animal species and enforcing regulations. The penalty for killing or removing a protected species from its natural environment is a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment of up to a year, or both.
  
  

Wildlife

• The CESA protects gastropods, crustaceans, insects, fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals found in California or off the coast of the state. Species may be categorized as threatened or, more critically, endangered. According to the DFG, as of July 2010, the state recognized 35 animal species as threatened and 46 as endangered. The federal government listed 40 California species as threatened, 88 as endangered and two as being under consideration. In total, 157 animal species were protected in California, with 31 appearing only on the state list and 55 on both the state and federal lists.
  
  

Plants

• The DFG list includes three categories of plants: rare, threatened and endangered. According to the July 2010 list, California recognized 64 plants as rare, 22 as threatened and 134 as endangered. The federal government identified 47 species as threatened and 139 as endangered, with 125 species appearing on both the state and federal lists.
  
  

Considerations

• The California Code of Regulations explains how to petition for a plant or animal to be recognized as endangered and protected under the CESA.
  
  

Habitat and Development

• The DFG's Habitat Conservation Planning Branch ensures that building and development don't harm protected species. This branch may authorize "incidental take," or a limited amount of capturing or killing, that occurs during development. However, state agencies must consult with the DFG before beginning projects that might affect habitat crucial to plants and animals protected by the act.
  
  

Community Conservation Plans

• Under the 1991 Natural Community Conservation Planning Act, the DFG works with landowners and developers to establish voluntary conservation plans that balance species and habitat protection with urban growth.