CDFW: cattail removal paused for Ridgway rail nesting; two seasonal hires expected

Gabriel Panflor, reserve manager for the Buena Vista Lagoon with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, told the committee that cattail removal has not occurred during the Ridgway rail nesting season, which typically runs March through September.

Panflor said the reserve recently completed interviews for two scientific-aid positions and expects those seasonal staff to start within a month, providing the additional personnel needed to resume cattail removal after the nesting season ends in September.

When asked whether an ad hoc committee met previously to coordinate the removal, Panflor said he was not aware of any prior meeting specific to cattail removal. Committee members discussed adding an agenda item to consider dissolving ad hoc committees in light of active staff work and grant activity.