EHL’s comments on an environmental impact report helped prevent a “donut hole” subject to development from forming in the emerging Ramona Grasslands reserve.



Some of the most ecologically important grasslands in Southern California are under threat from ranchettes and estate lots in Ramona, in San Diego County. Historic in character, the grasslands provide essential habitat for some of the last golden eagles in the County. Fortunately, a multi-agency effort is underway to protect them as part of the County’s Multiple Species Conservation Plan-North.

A project called Oak Country Estates was proposed as a clustered development outside of the core grassland area – except for a critical parcel that had originally been designated as open space but now had a new owner. EHL raised CEQA issues that helped catalyzed a creative solution that retained the original open space designation, as well as satisfied the new owner by making the parcel eligible for sale as mitigation land.