DATE:
March 25, 2026 and April 22, 2026
06
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
?NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING:
IRON MOUNTAIN COUNTY PRESERVE - APPROVE ACQUISITION OF APPROXIMATELY 380 ACRES OF OPEN SPACE PRESERVE FROM POWAY IRON MOUNTAIN ESTATES AND RELATED CEQA EXEMPTION ([3/25/2026] - SET HEARING; [4/22/2026] - HOLD HEARING) (DISTRICT: 2)
Body
OVERVIEW
On March 25, 2026(02) the Board of Supervisors Set a Hearing for April 22, 2026.
The County of San Diego (County) Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) enhances the quality of life in San Diego County by providing exceptional parks and recreation experiences and preserving significant natural resources. A core aspect of DPR's conservation program is acquiring open space lands to balance the conservation of plant and animal species with recreation, housing, development, and agricultural activities within the San Diego region.
DPR has identified approximately 380 acres to expand the existing Iron Mountain County Preserve, contribute toward DPR's goal of acquiring 500 acres of land per year, and ensure compliance with the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) goals. If acquired, the existing approximately 160-acre Iron Mountain County Preserve (Preserve) would be expanded to approximately 540 acres, conserving Diegan coastal sage scrub, chamise chaparral, and southern mixed chaparral habitat to help protect sensitive species, including Belding's orange-throated whiptail, Blainville's horned lizard, Cooper's hawk, and mule deer. Conserving these lands also supports housing by ensuring that development can be streamlined under the MSCP permit for compatible projects.
This acquisition would enhance conservation under the MSCP set by federal and State requirements for special-status species conservation. It would also support multiple County sustainability goals, habitat and biodiversity, biological connectivity, greenhouse gas reductions, and housing. Additionally, conservation of the property...
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