DATE:
April 10, 2024 and May 22, 2024
09
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
SET A HEARING FOR MAY 22, 2024:
MOUNT OLYMPUS COUNTY PRESERVE - APPROVE ACQUISITION OF APPROXIMATELY 220 ACRES OF OPEN SPACE LAND AND RELATED CEQA EXEMPTION (MORITZKY TRUST) (4/10/2024 - SET HEARING; 5/22/2024 - HOLD HEARING) (DISTRICT: 5)
Title
Body
OVERVIEW
The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) enhances the quality of life in San Diego County by preserving significant natural resources. A core aspect of DPR's conservation program is the acquisition of open space lands that support sensitive species and habitats. DPR has identified a 222-acre property (Property) adjacent to the existing Mount Olympus County Preserve in Pala-Pauma. If acquired, the existing 1,200-acre Mount Olympus County Preserve would be expanded to over 1,400 acres, providing large, connecting chaparral habitat for deer, mountain lions, and other sensitive species.
This acquisition enhances conservation under the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) set by federal and State requirements for special status species conservation and supports multiple County of San Diego (County) sustainability goals, habitats and biodiversity, biological connectivity, greenhouse gas reductions, and benefits to water and air quality.
Through the County's MSCP Program, the County has acquired over 46,200 acres of open space land for conservation within the three MSCP Subareas. The acreage of preserve lands within the three MSCP Plan Areas include approximately: 14,000 acres within the South County Plan Area, 25,000 acres within the draft North County Plan Area, and 7,200 acres within the proposed East County Plan Area. This acquisition would add 222 acres to the draft North County Plan Area and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 282 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. Additionally, conservation of the property provides flood control benefits and protection of water quality.
The County ...
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