No, a sample from a dung heap is evidence of endemism, unless there is fraud involved, which given the players involved (especially Peter Moyle) is entirely possible.
Well, on second thought yes—provided we have an utter moonbeam buffoon as “governor.”
IIRC, this is a Federal listing.
I used to live in CA and followed this issue.
It was my understanding that the smelt that gives the EPA such groinal tumescence is not the same smelt that is indigenous to the delta.
It is a different type of smelt that was introduced much later by the white man as a bait fish, on accident.