Source: SFGate
“A couple is facing a steep fine after damaging the habitat of a rare flower native to only a few locations along California’s Central Coast. San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow announced on Wednesday that his office had settled an environmental enforcement action against the couple, who agreed to pay $165,000 in civil penalties for conducting grading operations without the necessary permits on a rural property between Arroyo Grande and Pismo Beach. The couple’s grading activities damaged one of the few habitats of the ultrarare Pismo clarkia flower, which is listed as endangered and is found only in about 24 locations throughout San Luis Obispo County, according to the announcement from Dow’s office. Spotting a Pismo clarkia flower is extremely uncommon, as it primarily grows in small patches on private properties, according to the California Native Plant Society.” (01/21/25)
https://www.sfgate.com/centralcoast/article/couple-fined-damaging-pismo-flower-slo-20042720.php