Dedicated to Ecosystem Protection and Sustainable Land Use Planning +++ Vol. 13 No. 1 +++ Winter 2003

We publish this newsletter fourtimes a year to inform the gener-ous supporters and other friendsof the Endangered HabitatsLeague about our activtiesin the ecoregion.

If you are not yet a member of theEndangered Habitats League,

please join us in the ongoingeffort to preserve and protect

the Southern California eco-region’s irreplacable plants,

animals and places.

ENDANGEREDHABITATS LEAGUENEWSLETTER

EHL in the News 2

Two Orange Countycanyons under assault 2

Strong joint effortstops tollroad rider 2

Riverside IntegratedProject advances 2

San Diego govern-ments start to makea regional plan 2

PV ConservationPlan languishes 3

Cougar killed inSilverado Canyon 4

“White Point”(a poem) 4

what’s inside?

© F

INC

H C

RE

EK

GA

ZE

TT

E

Conservation successes across the Ecoregion—San Diego, Orange & San Bernardino Counties

Proctor Valley parcelsto be purchased—

a conservation“dream come true”

In the early 1990’s, themassive Otay Ranch devel-opment plan in southernSan Diego County missedcrucial opportunities toprotect unique habitatlands. Proctor Valley wasamong the lands approvedfor development — itsgentle terrain made thisquintessential SouthernCalifornia landscape sus-ceptible to development.Vernal pools, coastal sage scrub, perennial grasslands, and oakwoodlands—and endangered species such the California gnat-catcher, quino checkerspot butterfly, and San Diego fairy shrimp—all contribute to its biological richness. Proctor Valley, totalingover 3,000 acres, is adjacentor nearby to San Diego’smajor conservation build-ing blocks — the MultipleSpecies ConservationProgram (MSCP), theRancho Jamul EcologicalReserve, and the San DiegoNational Wildlife Refuge.Proctor Valley is essential tocomplete the picture.

After years of quietadvocacy, EHL was pleasedto support the Wildlife Conservation Board’s acquisition ofstrategic parcels totaling 1,446 acres. Late last year, state andfederal funds were used to buy the land from cooperative willingsellers. Other parcels should now follow. Long years of commit-ment from state and federal wildlife agency personnel led to thissuccess. We particularly commend the leadership of Diane Jacob,District Supervisor. The Conservation Land Group ably facili-tated the transaction.

Barham Ranch Saved

Due to years of intensive,creative, and plain determinedeffort, Save Barham Ranch hassucceeded in its goal of pro-tecting these Orange Countywildlands. Barham Ranch is508 acres of coastal sage scrub,chaparral and oak woodlandin central Orange Countyadjacent to Santiago OaksRegional Park and the NatureReserve of Orange County. Infact, Barham Ranch was identi-fied as a top priority acquisi-tion to enhance the Central-Coastal Natural CommunityConservation Plan (NCCP).Unfortunately, the owners ofthe land, including the OrangeUnified School District, madeplans to sell it to a developer.

However, the developer had not reckoned with BarhamRanch stalwarts from the local community. First, Save BarhamRanch filed suit to block the land transaction, due to circumven-

tion of the California Environmental Policy Act.They then undertook a campaign to convince theowners to sell this property at fair market value tothe County of Orange, which had offered to buy it.Confronted with a school district board biased infavor of the developer, Save Barham Ranch didwhat so few environmental groups ever try, letalone succeed in: They persuaded voters to electbetter officials. Even after this incredible grassrootseffort, Save Barham Ranch had to fend off lastminute threats to the sale.

EHL was pleased to assist and support the BarhamRanch effort at various points along the way. We allneed to take some pages out of their playbook!

Legal settlement will lead to protectionof rare San Bernardino alluvial fan

Lytle Creek in San Bernardino County is one ofthe few remaining, functional “alluvial fans” in

Southern California. Here, adjacent to the I-15 freeway at thebase of the San Bernardino National Forest, are scenic washesand floodplains that support the endangered San Bernardinokangaroo rat and specialized alluvial fan sage scrub. Given thatthe County of San Bernardino has not had the political leader-ship to implement a multiple species plan, and has tradition-ally approved development in alluvial fan habitat, conserva-tion of these areas has been very problematic.

When the County approved the Lytle Creek-North devel-opment in the fan last year, EHL and other groups—Center forBiological Diversity, San Bernardino Valley Audubon Soci-ety, and Spirit of the Sage Council (the latter of which settledseparately)—quickly filed suit under CEQA.

Proctor Valley is home to a population of the endanger-ed quino checkerspot. Photo courtesy AEI-CASC Cos.

Prior to our court date, a concerted effort was made to settlethe dispute, not only for the Lytle Creek-North parcel, butcomprehensively for the landowner’s other holdings in thevicinity. The settlement provides for over 1,200 acres of perma-nent habitat conservation, thus protecting much of the highestquality habitat from any development. In addition, the agree-ment includes options to purchase nearly the entire holdings—totaling over 2,500 acres—for conservation. It is expected thatall future litigation will be eliminated, providing certainty toall parties.

We commend the excellent collaboration from the land-owner, Lytle Development Co., and their commitment to acomprehensive solution. While it will be a challenge to raise thenecessary funds, these are high priority lands for the state andfederal wildlife agencies. We look forward to making conserva-tion a reality.

The law firm of Johnson and Sedlack represented EHL.

It takes 30-50 years to go from an acornto a mature, magnificent woodland oak.

Lytle Creek in San Bernardino County—one of the few functional “alluvialfans” in Southern California—supports at least two endandered species.

© W

ILD

FLO

WE

R P

RO

DU

CT

ION

S

EHL in the NewsOn December 2, 2002, in an article titled, “Dissent Growing

Over the Rancho Mission Viejo,” the Los Angeles Times reportedon the development proposed in this Orange County biodivers-ity hotspot. The strong public support for preservation wasdescribed and the assessment of EHL’s Dan Silver was quoted.Remaining optimistic, he said, “I believe there’s a win-win[solution] out there for everyone.”

On the same subject, a letter-to-the-editor from Dan waspublished by the Times on December 8, 2002. It stated, in part,“We have a unique opportunity with Rancho Mission Viejo’sremaining 23,000 acres to protect south Orange County’s history,scenic landscapes and natural treasures, and clean air and cleanwater. We can preserve these last remaining special lands—home to many rare plants and animals, and water sources.”

Silver was also on livenational television (FoxCable News) on Decem-ber 2, 2002, defending theendangered Delhi Sandsflower-loving fly. In re-sponse to hostile ques-tioning, he explainedhow the fly representeda larger ecosystem whosepreservation would con-tribute to the long-termquality of life in westernSan Bernardino County,

where remaining open space is vanishing rapidly. Unfortunately,the program’s format offered little opportunity for a meaningfuldiscussion of these complex issues.

Back in Orange County, Silver was quoted at length in a pieceby Dana Parsons on January 3, 2003. Parsons compared thepotential loss of 500 oak trees in the Saddle Crest and SaddleCreek developments to the “tree-sitter” occupying a singlemagnificent oak tree slated for removal in Los Angeles County.Silver noted that, compared to Los Angeles, “[Orange County]still has a chance to do things much better.”

Delhi Sands flower-loving fly

© G

ILB

ER

T G

OO

DL

ET

Rep. Loretta Sanchez

Rep. Susan Davis Bill Lockyer, Atty. Gen.

Sen. Barbara Boxer Sen. Dianne Feinstein

News from AroundOur Southern California Ecoregion

Trabuco Canyon is still largely rural and unspoiled.Residents are fighting hard to keep it that way.

© J

. W

ILL

IAM

S

Orange County canyons under assault

Residents ofrural Silveradoand TrabucoCanyons, at thebase of the SantaAna Mountains,worked long andhard to put a goodcommunity planin place. Unfortu-nately, Countygovernment hassupported devel-opers in guttingthe plan throughmajor, piecemeal,land use amend-ments.

EHL has onceagain been forcedto litigate the ill-conceived Saddle-back Meadowsproject—a previ-ous approval for this development was thrown out by the courts.Of greatest concern to us is the obstruction of a critical wildlifecorridor between central and southern Orange County. We areco-plaintiffs with the Vedanta Society of Southern California,whose tranquil monastery would be severely impacted by theproject, and with Sea and Sage Audubon Society. Conner, Blakeand Griffin are representing us. We will also oppose the nearbySaddle Crest and Saddle Creek projects which, through majorgrading, would take out hundreds of oak trees. These luxuryhousing projects are strongly and actively opposed by thelocal community.

Riverside County

San Diego County

Tollroad rider stopped, at least for now

Due to a con-certed effort byEndangered Habi-tats League, SierraClub, Friends ofthe Hills, andothers, a sordidrider attached tofederal legislationby the Transporta-tion CorridorAgency (TCA) to push through the Foothill tollroad’s southernextension was blocked by Senators Boxer and Feinstein,Congressmembers Loretta Sanchez and Susan Davis, and Attor-ney General Bill Lockyer. The Foothill tollroad would bisect thefinest remaining natural lands in Orange County and destroymost of San Onofre Beach State Park. The rider would haveexempted the tollroad from California laws.

We urge the TCA—which is made up of local elected offi-cials—to operate in an open way and to respect state laws, ratherthan utilize riders attached to unrelated legislation. We also hopethat Congressman Ken Calvert will reconsider his support forthis approach.

Riverside Integrated Project advancesRiverside’s momentous, $35 million Integrated Project, with

land use, transportation, and habitat components, begins hear-ings before the Board of Supervisors in March. EHL has severalgoals. First, we seek improvements in the Multiple SpeciesConservation Plan to better protect several species and closeloopholes. Second, only acceptable and least environmentallydamaging transportation routes should be selected. Finally, thenew General Plan must achieve several key objectives in ordernot to repeat business-as-usual sprawl. It should retain theprogressive features supported by stakeholders—the higherdensity and livable “community centers” and the innovative“Transit Oasis” framework for non-automotive mobility. Itshould also preserve rural areas from inappropriate residentialdevelopment, and should safeguard against future, piecemealamendments.

To these ends, EHL and its consultants have submitted exten-sive comments and will participate in the hearingprocess. We will also continue to fund an outreachspecialist to educate the public and local businessesof the value of the community centers. However,the project’s leader, Supervisor Tom Mullen, retiredfrom office at the end of last year. Unless otherBoard Members pick up his vision and commitment,this vital effort could falter.Tom Mullen

Regional Comprehensive Plan at SANDAGOver the next year, the San Diego Association of Govern-

ments (SANDAG) is undertaking to create a Regional Compre-hensive Plan. The plan ultimately may provide an umbrella forregional transportation objectives and priorities and work tointegrate land use and transportation planning.

One concept is to take the power of the purse—SANDAGallocates and prioritizes transportation dollars throughout theregion. Currently SANDAG uses only its “bully pulpit;” theycould create economic incentives for the Smart Growth objectivesthey have championed. Looking ahead and listening to thepeople who experience the current quality of life everyday iskey to responding to public priorities and making this “thepeople’s plan.” First up on the schedule are regional roundtablesfor local officials and the public. These meetings will help bothgroups to become informed and weigh in on this plan.

The Endangered HabitatsLeague is a non-profit organi-zation. All contributions aretax-deductible to the full extentallowed by law.

Dan Silver ........ Board Member & Executive Director

Jack Bath ........... Board Member & Secretary

Michael Beck ... Board Member & San Diego Director

Jane Block ......... Board Member

Pete DeSimone .... Board Member

Karen Messer ....... Board Member

Jess Morton .......... Board Member & Treasurer

Lynne Baker ......... San Diego Project Manager

SANDAG invites all San Diego County residents to lay thefoundation for the region’s future by providing input on theRegional Comprehensive Plan at one of six upcoming publicworkshops planned for January, February and March. Attendeescan participate in problem solving exercises involving issuespertinent to the San Diego region: the housing crisis, planningand land use, the environment, transportation issues, and theregional vision.

The creative outcomes of these public meetings will be usedto formulate the Regional Comprehensive Plan. By participatingin the process, residents can expect a Regional ComprehensivePlan that will strengthen the integration of local and regionalplans for land use, transportation systems, and infrastructureneeds and foster coordination of our plans with SouthernCalifornia and the Northern Baja California region.

Regional Comprehensive PlanRoundtable Schedule6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

unless otherwise noted below

El Cajon Community and Senior CenterWednesday, February 19

Encinitas Community CenterThursday, February 20

Southwestern Community CollegeStudent Union East

Wednesday, February 26

City of San Diego City HallCouncil Chambers

Wednesday, February 262 to 3:30 p.m.

San Marcos Community CenterMonday, March 10

RSVPs are requested. To RSVP, or for more information,please call (619) 595-5316, visit www.sandag.org/rcp, or e-mailrcp@sandag.org

Conservation-minded people need to attend and so that theircall for more open space and parks, more transit and less subur-ban sprawl into our rural agriculture lands are heard as peoplediscuss what they want for San Diego in the next century. EHL’sLynne Baker was named to the Stakeholders Working Group andwill be working with other stakeholders to focus on a few keyquality-of-life objectives that can be accomplished within theambitious agenda and short time frame.

Email her at lynnebaker@cox.net to weigh in, ask questions,and learn how you can participate further to help make this aplan full of what we value.

SAN DIEGO RESIDENTS PLEASE ATTEND!

Los Angeles County

The Palos Verdes Natural Community Conservation Plan, orNCCP, continues to languish. Although there has been basicagreement as to the configuration of the eventual habitat reservefor some time, issues relating to a critical habitat corridor andfunding remain to be resolved. On the positive side, the NCCPpreserve will preserve most of the remaining open space in thecanyons and on the peninsula’s hillsides. However, the cost ofland is very high, as is to be expected in an affluent suburbancommunity—especially for property with choice views, however“unbuildable” it may be. Substantial local funding appearsavailable, but whether the balance can be found remainsunknown.

One of the most heartening land use planning developmentsin recent years is the adoption by the Los Angeles CountyDepartment of Public Works of a policy to deal with watermovement from a watershed-wide perspective. No longer is

Endangered Habitats Leagueis pleased to receive gifts that:

✔ Honor someone on a special occasion suchas a birthday, anniversary or graduation

✔ Memorialize someone who died✔ Just say “Thank you!” to a friend or loved one.

Following your instructions, EHL will send abeautiful acknowledgement card to the person

honored or to the family of the deceased.

Please fill out the form below andmail it with your donation. Please print.

I/we are enclosing a special gift in the amount of

$______________________________

In Honor of__________________________________________________________

In Memory of____________________________________________________________

To celebrate her/his/their_________________________________________________

To Thank_________________________________________________

Send the acknowledgement card to_________________________________________________

Address 1

Address 2

City/State/Zip

Indicate on the acknowledgementcard that this gift is being made by:

Your Name (s)

Address 1

Address 2

City/State/Zip

Home phone Fax

Office phone Fax

E-mail

Endangered Habitats League8424-A Santa Monica Blvd., #592

Los Angeles, CA 90069-4267

Gifts That Honor or Thanka Friend or Loved One

✄

✄

EHL seeks a Project Manager for theInland Empire. Please let us know ofcandidates with skills in habitat planning,land use, and transportation (send infor-mation to: dsilverla@earthlink.net).

This story continues on page 4

Endangered Habitats League8424-A Santa Monica Blvd., #592

Los Angeles, CA 90069-4267

Palos Verdes plan (continued from page 3)

News of the Southern California EcoregionWhite Point

We drove wherethe spa had been,leaving the locked caron the new black topof the parking lotbeside the sleepy sea.

Before the war, she said,we ran under these bluffsplaying children’s games;splashed water at one anotherin the sweet, soft lapof the cleansing sea.

Our parents watched usfrom the shaded verandaof the Japanese hotel.Don’t you recallhow the mineral baths were—before the earthquake?

Perhaps the sun remembers them.And how the sea,its wind-thrown waves thundering,came into the cliffslike the sound of heartbreakthudding at our feet.

But look. Children still play here,running over the stones,splashing and joyous in the salt poolsof the hotel’s shelled footingswhere sea anemone and limpetscling to dead men’s dreams.

Untroubled, these bright childrenwho view only this face of the sea;their present earth not boundby the concrete’s transiencelapped by afternoon sunshineon the locked soul of our world.

Jess Morton

flood control a process of moving rainwater and effluent from themountains and urban landscape to the sea as rapidly as possible.Instead, the County—as are other southern California jurisdictions—is working to integrate elements of water quality, conservation andreuse, habitat enhancement, public education and community needsinto programs that improve all beneficial uses of water across entirewatersheds.

This change is promoting the growth of collaborative efforts thatbring together environmental, industrial, governmental and regula-tory groups to solve problems. There are already some impressiveresults from these efforts, including substantial progress toward thedevelopment of open space/park chains along the Los Angeles andSan Gabriel Rivers.

In the South Bay, EHL is involved in an effort to solve especiallythorny issues in the most heavily urban-industrial watershed insouthern California. Despite the unpromising nature of the existinglandscape, the potential benefits appear very great, and the resultshould be a model for other urban watersheds to draw upon.

Cougar killed in Silverado CanyonFrom a story by Janet Wilson, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

A mountain lion (cougar)was shot recently in SilveradoCanyon, a steep and narrow,historic mining communityin the Santa Ana Mountains.The cougar was a young,healthy female weighing 102pounds, said Lt. Angel Raton, a Fish and Game officer whoparticipated in a necropsy ofthe animal.

“She was quite fat for hersize,” he said. “That’s primemountain lion habitat there,because of the slope, and thefact that there’s deer and rab-bits everywhere.” Raton saidthere was a good chance that a yearlong drought … had drivensmaller prey down to settled areas.

For a decade the California Department of Fish and Game hasoverseen a state program … to protect mountain lions, includingthe fast-dwindling cougar population in Southern California.

© E

LIZ

AB

ET

H R

OB

INS

ON

© N

EW

DE

AL

NE

TW

OR

K