State Administration’s Research Goes Beyond Gnatcatcher

I would like to address questions raised by Edith Read, Margot Griswold and Jeff Kaufmann (“Praise for Fish and Wildlife, Scorn for Developers in Gnatcatcher Debate,” Letters, Sept. 15) regarding the “experts” working with Gov. Wilson’s administration on coastal sage scrub conservation planning.

A Scientific Review Panel (SRP) was appointed in June by State Secretary for Resources Douglas P. Wheeler, with input from appropriate representatives of the conservation community, California Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Southern California land developers. The SRP is composed of renowned conservation biologists.

The purpose of the SRP is to examine existing data, recommend additional data needs and provide scientifically justifiable criteria and guidelines for developing conservation strategies for the coastal sage scrub community and its numerous associated sensitive species--not just the gnatcatcher. The SRP’s process is designed to include input from all concerned parties: conservationists, professional biologists, the federal and state wildlife trustee agencies, landowners and developers, and county planning departments.

All data and information sent to the SRP by Oct. 31 will be reviewed and utilized in the preparation of the final report due in the spring of 1992. The mailing address is: Dr. Dennis Murphy, Chair, Scientific Review Panel, Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, Calif. 94305-5020.

CAROL G. WHITESIDE, Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Relations, State of California