Environmental Assessment for a Major Amendment to the County of San Diego Subarea Plan of the Multiple Species Conservation Program Plan, California

Résumé

The County of San Diego (County) has requested a major amendment to its Subarea Plan of the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) and has forwarded this request to the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for approval. Our proposed action would include the Cielo Ridge and Rancho de Lusardi properties into the MSCP for incidental take authorization (including harm, injury and harassment), if necessary, of species listed as threatened or endangered pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. Take authorization may be needed during the development of homes on these properties should unlisted species covered by the MSCP become listed during the 50-year term of the permit. The County's existing incidental take permit (PRT- 840414) does not apply to these amendment areas until the amendment process has been completed. These amendment lands include key core habitat areas within the County's jurisdiction that are vital to the continued existence of many of the species covered for take authorization under the County's permit. Upon completion of the amendment process, Cielo Ridge and Rancho Cielo de Lusardi would be annexed into the County's Subarea Plan, and if necessa