It seems the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers is starting to narrow down ways to protect endangered species living below the Seven Oaks Dam near Highland.

The agency needs to do that because Inland water agencies are seeking the right to take some of the water that's collected behind the river barricade. At the same time, the species below the dam need periodic flooding to maintain their habitat. Thus, the dilemma.

The Corp has scheduled a public meeting Thursday in San Bernardino, so I thought I'd let you know in case anyone is interested in having their voice heard or learning more about the issue.

The meeting will consider a study the agency will be crafting to protect the San Bernardino kangaroo rat and two endangered plants -- the Santa Ana River woolly-star and the slender-horned spineflower (see photo at end of blog entry).

Recommendations developed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Game, and other stakeholders, identified possible solutions to protect the so-called Woolly Star Preserve Area.

They range from herbicide treatment for non-native invasive grass control, to providing water to the area through pipelines to using trucks to hydraulically spread sand to enhance the habitat.

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