A comprehensive biological ranking of properties has been completed by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), setting the stage for acquisition.

Passed in 2008, Measure M is a transportation sale tax that includes substantial funds for the protection and restoration of wildlands as mitigation for freeway projects. EHL and other groups negotiated these provisions, and EHL serves on the advisory Environmental Oversight Committee for the project. While the recession has reduced total projected conservation spending from $240 to $140 million, $27.5 million is on tap for disbursement in 2010, with another major increment anticipated for 2011-2012.

Over the last year, tremendous progress has been made, with interagency agreements signed for a Natural Community Conservation Plan (NCCP) and a comprehensive biological assessment to guide the early acquisitions. Under contract to OCTA, the Conservation Biology Institute analyzed biological cores areas and linkages on a County-wide basis (also including adjacent lands) and identified priority conservation areas. In consultation with state and federal agency biologists, OCTA narrowed down a list of over 100 properties submitted by landowners, conservation groups, and local agencies to 29 high priority properties that meet overall mitigation requirements. The list is an “embarrassment of riches,” including prime lands in Trabuco Canyon, the Chino Hills, Santa Ana River mouth, San Juan Capistrano, the Cleveland National Forest (as inholdings), and other locations. The next step is to further narrow the list by ascertaining willing sellers and assessing level of development threat, potential community benefit, and financial feasibility.

EHL commends OCTA for a transparent and scientific process, and will work to achieve the greatest ecological benefit from these funds.