Western Joshua Tree Hazard Management Project (Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act Permit No. 1927-HMP-2026-181)

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has issued a western Joshua tree hazard management permit to Efrain Morales Rodriguez under Fish and Game Code section 1927.4 for the trimming and removal of one living western Joshua tree located in Hesperia, California, that poses an imminent threat to public health and safety. This permit authorizes the action under the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act, which allows for the management of hazardous trees when they meet specified conditions, including creating an immediate risk to people or property. The project is limited to a single tree and does not involve the removal of multiple trees or habitat modification beyond what is necessary to eliminate the threat. The permit, identified as 1927-HMP-2026-181, was posted on June 17, 2026, and the work is to be conducted at a property in Hesperia with a zip code of 92345. Mika Samoy, an Environmental Scientist with the Habitat Conservation Planning Branch in Sacramento, is the primary point of contact for the permitting agency, while Efrain Morales Rodriguez is listed as a secondary contact, indicating his role as the permittee. The action is strictly confined to addressing the identified hazard, and the permit does not extend to any broader land use, development, or conservation activities. Compliance with state regulations governing western Joshua tree management is mandatory, and all work must be carried out to ensure public safety while minimizing unnecessary impact on this protected species.