Continuing a record of success, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) approved additional restoration projects totaling $4.72 million.



Adopted in 2008, Measure M renewed a transportation sales tax and allocated up to $240 million as mitigation for its freeway projects. OCTA administers the program. A Natural Community Conservation Plan (NCCP) is being prepared for comprehensive or “programmatic” mitigation that addresses regional ecosystem needs.

Building upon restoration projects totaling $5.36 million approved in 2010, the six new projects target 215 acres of land in Laguna Niguel, Brea, Huntington Beach, Yorba Linda, and the unincorporated County. Riparian habitat is a major focus, with removal of invasive species and replanting, but cactus scrub is also being restored to benefit cactus wren populations, which have been badly depleted by repeated fires. In Chino Hills State Park, rare walnut woodlands will be restored.

One exciting goal of these projects is improving wildlife movement. A crucial mountain lion corridor runs through Coal Canyon in the Anaheim Hills under the SR 91 freeway. This currently degraded corridor will be revegetated with Riversidian alluvial fan sage scrub. Another project will improve connectivity under the 241 toll road as it runs through the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, realigning fencing and restoring habitat to increase use of an undercrossing.

Finalization of a second round of land acquisitions is expected over the coming months.