In recognition of their rarity and ongoing threats to persistence, Sandhills communities as well as several species have been afforded special protective status through a variety of laws and regulations administered by Federal, State and local agencies, including:

• The Federal Endangered Species Act, administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
• The California Endangered Species Act, administered by the California Department of Fish and Game
• The California Environmental Quality Act, portions of which are administered by the California Department of Fish and Game
• The Sensitive Habitat Ordinance, administered by the County of Santa Cruz