Endangered Flower Lawsuit

 

Threatened by agriculture and urban development, the meadowfoam is listed as an endangered species by the state and federal governments. That makes it illegal to harm, remove or transplant them without permission.

Someone may have illegally planted an endangered flower to sabotage a proposed housing development. That is the central issue in what has been dubbed “Foamgate.” Bob Evans, a 72-year-old retired elementary school principal, says he was walking with his dog last year when he came upon the tiny white flowers of Sebastopol meadowfoam poking from shallow pools of water in a grassy field. The former bean farm happens to be the site chosen for the 20-acre Laguna Vista housing development. Evans and other opponents seized on the discovery of the federally protected species in hopes it would force the developer to scale back plans for 145 houses and apartments. But state wildlife officials investigated and concluded that the meadowfoam had been transplanted there. They ordered it dug up. However, this year, the flowers returned, and with them the controversy. Known as Limnanthes vinculans, the herbs grow up to a foot tall and have small bowl-shaped white flowers. They are only found in seasonal wetlands and pools created by spring rains in this part of Sonoma County. Schellinger said the new plants grew from seeds scattered during the “original criminal act.” Fish and Game agreed. Still, the City Council tabled final approval of Laguna Vista on May 22. A mediator is now overseeing negotiations between Schellinger Brothers and residents in hopes of reaching a compromise that could involve a scaled-down version of the project.

Source: Associated Press