Setting the stage for prolonged litigation, and negating 11 years of cooperative effort, the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved development that would chop up the most intact natural lands left along the south coast of California.



Since 1993, EHL has worked toward a successful Natural Community Conservation Plan (NCCP) in southern Orange County, the cornerstone of which is the 23,000 acres that remain of the historic Rancho Mission Viejo.  Since 2001, EHL has helped lead The Heart and Soul Coalition in an effort to educate the public and decision-makers on the irreplaceable natural values and the opportunities for “win-win” solutions based on a biologically sound reserve design.

The approval on November 8, 2004 of a project for which state and federal wildlife agencies had urged denial broke longstanding commitments by the County of Orange, and made a shambles of Supervisor Tom Wilson’s once-promising SCORE process (South County Outreach and Review Effort).  The project’s EIR makes the absurd claim that virtually all biological impacts have been rendered “insignificant.”  The County action is particularly deceptive in claiming that an NCCP could be done in the future.  In reality, the irrevocable approval of 14,000 units through a legally binding “development agreement” will trump conservation – if it withstands legal challenge.

The Rancho Mission Viejo contains the largest population of California gnatcatchers in the United States.  The San Mateo watershed, to which the Rancho contributes, is the only undeveloped coastal watershed south of Ventura and of immeasurable value to mountain lions and endangered arroyo toads.  These natural treasures would be forever lost if the project moves forward.  However, as before, it remains EHL's goal to work collaboratively with the landowner, whose long family tradition of stewardship may yet emerge triumphant.

After submitting extensive comments on the project’s draft EIR, water supply problems, and other issues, EHL and other conservation groups are well prepared for litigation.