As many of you know, Caltrans has said that environmental laws protecting sensitive habitat and endangered species within the ROW could hamper their fire mitigation efforts in the ROW. In May we asked Caltrans to provide us with any records of sensitive habitats and/or endangered species in the ROW.

This is the only document they provided: Assessment of Potential Mitigation Opportunities. However, the document clearly states that, as of 2008 (the only study provided), there were no endangered species or sensitive habitats within the ROW. There are only a couple of areas that could be developed in the future to mitigate habitat destruction elsewhere. Caltrans has never stated that it wants to use the ROW for future mitigation projects.