CCWR ACTION ALERT: Changes to California Wildlife Rehabilitation Regulations

The California Council for Wildlife Rehabilitators (CCWR) has been working with the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) and with California wildlife rehabilitators for the past two years on proposed changes to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Regulations, Section 679.  Nicole Carion, the CDFG Wildlife Rehabilitation Coordinator, has attended meetings and symposiums sponsored by CCWR, as well as the regular Regional meetings, and has presented this information to attendees and discussed it in detail.

Most of the proposed changes to the regulations were simply moved from the CDFG 679 Wildlife Rehabilitation Manual to the regulations and could also be found in the Memorandum of Understanding. 

On December 9, there was a CDFG Commission notice hearing in Concord that would have given approval for the proposed regulatory changes to become available for public review and comment.  Unfortunately, due to a misunderstanding in the rehabilitation community, the Commission voted to postpone the notice hearing until their next meeting on February 3 in Sacramento.  Once accepted, the proposal becomes official ten days after the hearing and all current MOU holders will receive an official copy of the regulation change package.  There will then be a public comment period of 45 days.  In April, another Commission meeting will take place to determine if the proposed 679 regulation change package needs to be revised and made available for public review and comment again or adopted as proposed.

After a discussion regarding the proposed regulations and misunderstandings, Nicole Carion sent a copy of the proposed regulation change package to a rehabilitator for any helpful comments.  Unfortunately, this document was sent out in a broad e-mail, along with numerous misinterpretations, misinformation, and accusations that were unfounded and unwarranted.  This created quite a stir in the rehabilitation community that was unnecessary. 

Although the leadership of CCWR strives to be a liaison between California wildlife rehabilitators and our governing agencies, including the CDFG, we have no authority regarding regulations or enforcement.  We function in an advisory capacity, giving assistance and input where we can.  The regulation change package will be sent to CCWR by regular mail, just as it will be sent to each MOU holder in the State of California. 

The regulation change package will be posted on the Fish and Game Commission (FGC) website when it becomes official, which should be February 17.  CCWR will create a link from our website to the FGC website to assist in locating the document.   

During the public comment period, any comments you have may be submitted in writing to:

Nicole Carion
Wildlife Rehabilitation Coordinator
California Department of Fish and Game
Wildlife Programs Branch
1812 Ninth Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 445-3694
(916) 445-4048 (fax)
email:  ncarion@dfg.ca.gov


Thank you.

CCWR Board of Directors and Advisory Committee