EHL responded to new threats to Rancho Guejito, as community meetings on massive proposed development began.



The Rancho Guejito landowners continue to aggressively push for – literally – a new city on this 22,000-acre property northeast of Escondico. Unparalleled wildlife resources – such as Engelmann oak forests and the endangered arroyo toad and Stephens' kangaroo rat – coincide with sacred Native American sites and a rich historical record. Even though there is no formal development application, a series of meetings has begun with the Pala Pauma Community Sponsor Group – an official County of San Diego advisory body. The group has formed a subcommittee that includes neighboring community groups and, in a non-voting capacity, public and tribal interests. Meetings will also be held with the Valley Center Community Planning Group.

The current pitch is that of a "conservation" project, with the original Mexican land grant of 13,000 acres and some other lands being spared from development. EHL's Dan Silver was quoted in the North County Times ("Rancho Guejito plans get initial airing; Environmental Group will fight development proposal," January 29, 2010), exposing the bankruptcy of the proposal from a planning standpoint. Major development on these prime habitat lands is not part of the County's current comprehensive General Plan Update for good reasons:

"Nobody is making any deals with them," Silver said. "This is a complete nonstarter. It's wrong-headed and ill-conceived, and it would destroy some of San Diego County's most pristine lands."
Silver argued that county planning policy in what is known as the general plan, a document that guides new development in unincorporated areas, dictates that housing developments be located near existing roads, sewer, water and power lines.
"The overarching principle is to shift growth closer to existing services and away from scenic areas ---- essentially toward the west," Silver said. "We will be urging the planning group to put its foot down and defend the integrity of the general plan."

EHL is working with local activists to monitor and participate in the process, and will keep the conservation community informed. For more information, see Save Rancho Guejito.