DATE:
May 24, 2023
06
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
2022 MULTIPLE SPECIES CONSERVATION PROGRAM SOUTH COUNTY SUBAREA PLAN ANNUAL REPORT AND RELATED CEQA EXEMPTION (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
San Diego county has one of the most diverse habitats in the United States, with over 200 rare, threatened, or endangered species inhabiting the region. To protect the region's biodiversity, in 1997, the County of San Diego (County) partnered with 11 other jurisdictions, community stakeholders, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (Wildlife Agencies) to develop the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP). The MSCP is a long term, regional habitat conservation program focused on balancing the protection of plant and animal species with recreation, development, and agricultural activities within the San Diego region. On October 22, 1997 (1), the County Board of Supervisors (Board) adopted the 50-year MSCP South County Subarea Plan, which includes the unincorporated areas in the southwestern portion of the region. The South County Subarea Plan requires the County, Wildlife Agencies, and partnering agencies to conserve 98,379 acres (MSCP Preserve).
The South County Subarea MSCP Preserve goal of 98,379 acres was determined by the area needed to successfully conserve populations of MSCP covered species, associated high-quality habitats, and wildlife linkages between large, conserved areas. Habitat that is mostly intact or has not been degraded by impacts such as from development activities or a high frequency of fires is generally considered to be high-quality. To create opportunities for residents and visitors to connect with nature, passive recreation is allowed within County preserve lands in areas where MSCP covered species and habitat would not be impacted.
In addition to the adopted South County Subarea Plan, there are two additional MSCP plan areas in the unincorporated area: the draft ...
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