Senate committee advances Megan Hertel to full Senate after testimony on wolves, Joshua tree fees and staffing

Megan Hertel, the governor's nominee to lead the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, told the Senate Committee on Rules she will take a science‑based, collaborative approach if confirmed and work to balance conservation with community needs.

Hertel, appearing before the committee as part of item 1a, said she has prioritized listening and convening local partners since taking the role and described recent actions to address human–wildlife conflict. “We just signed an agreement with Siskiyou County about an hour ago to have that data go to them,” Hertel said, adding the department is sharing data and nonlethal deterrence tools such as pepper balls with counties to reduce livestock losses and human‑wildlife encounters.

Committee members pressed Hertel on measures for livestock protection and public safety. Vice Chair Grove asked how the department would reconcile ranchers’ concerns about wolves and sheriffs’ responsibilities for public safety. Hertel said the department is convening an interagency task force that includes the Wildlife Conservation Board, Cal Fire and federal partners and emphasized education, data sharing and sheriff collaboration as key tools.

Sen. Laird and others raised concerns about the Western Joshua Tree Act and the cost of fees for homeowners and small projects. Hertel acknowledged the fees are a burden for some homeowners and said the department is preparing a programmatic environmental impact report to streamline permitting for single‑family homes and small projects, and is assessing fee levels. “We have heard loud and clear that the fees on small projects are too high,” she said, and said a draft document would be released for public comment in the coming months.

The committee also questioned Hertel on staffing and enforcement. Hertel said the department employs roughly 500 wildlife officers and is “about one‑third of what we need to actually meet our mandate,” citing a 2021 service‑based budgeting effort done with an outside consultant to identify gaps and priorities. She outlined efforts to use technology, public‑private partnerships and targeted investments to stretch capacity while seeking additional resources.

On marine issues and tribal engagement, Hertel described California's marine protected area network and said the department supports tribal co‑management and ancestral land returns, calling tribal partnerships “central” to durable conservation outcomes.

A broad set of conservation groups, county representatives, water districts and industry organizations spoke in support of Hertel’s confirmation during the public comment period. After the hearing, Vice Chair Grove moved Hertel’s nomination to the full Senate for a confirmation vote; the committee recorded its vote and left the roll open for absent members to add on.

The committee’s next step is a full Senate vote on the nomination. The committee recorded final roll calls later that showed the committee approval on the measure.