Supervisor Hahn Denounces Catalina Deer Ruling

LOS ANGELES, CA — Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn Tuesday denounced a judge's ruling dismissing claims challenging the Catalina Island Conservancy's plan to systematically eliminate the island's entire deer population, and is asking Gov. Gavin Newsom to intervene.

Hahn has long opposed the plan, calling it inhumane and unnecessary, and raising concerns about increased wildfire risk. The suit, filed by a coalition of community groups, challenged the project being exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, a process that would have allowed concerns about environmental, social and economic impacts to be raised. But the case was dismissed Monday by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Curtis Kin.

"This ruling is upsetting," Hahn said. "Going through CEQA would mean more voices would be heard — like our Catalina residents for whom the deer are beloved, and our fire chief who says killing the deer would increase fire risk on the island. Gov. Newsom is our last hope to stop this. I am urging him to intervene, revoke their permit and save the deer."

In January, county Fire Chief Tony Marrone, who oversees fire operations on Catalina, warned in a memo that the deer consume vegetation that would otherwise become wildfire fuel and that complete elimination of the deer population could increase the risk of wildfires.

Hahn said she is further disturbed that Santa Rosa Island, where the deer population was eliminated in 2011, suffered its worst wildfire in May, when 18,000 acres burned. The Fourth District supervisor has argued that alternatives to total eradication deserve consideration, including maintaining and responsibly managing a smaller herd. She has spoken with former Catalina Island Conservancy leaders who believe the island could sustain a managed herd of approximately 200 deer.

Petitions opposed to killing the deer obtained more than 160,000 signatures, including strong opposition from the Catalina Island residents Hahn represents.

City News Service