California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)—the agency that’s in charge of approving or rejecting a plan by the Catalina Island Conservancy to eradicate the island’s mule deer population—has a new interim director, Valerie Termini. On January 26, Supervisor Janice Hahn sent a letter to Interim Director Termini, urging the Department to reject the permit application that would allow this eradication to move forward. 

Central to Hahn’s letter is a new memo from Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone, which warns that eliminating Catalina Island’s entire deer population would increase wildfire risk. 

Read Hahn’s letter and Chief Marrone’s memo 

Supervisor Hahn is encouraging anyone who cares about Catalina’s deer population and wildfire risk to email Interim Director Termini with your concerns. 

Sample email text: 

Dear Interim Director Termini, 

I am writing to urge the Department of Fish and Wildlife to reject a permit application by the Catalina Island Conservancy that would authorize the eradication of the island’s mule deer population. 

LA County Fire Chief Marrone has shared his concerns about increased wildfire risk if the deer population were eliminated. On top of that, the mule deer on Catalina are beloved by residents and visitors alike. A smaller, managed deer population would be a better solution for everyone involved. 

Please work with the Catalina Island Conservancy to pursue alternatives that protect the island’s ecosystem without increasing fire risk or eliminating the deer entirely.