Type: report

Article abstract: INTRODUCTION This Habitat Management Plan (HMP) has been prepared for the proposed North County Habitat Bank (NCHB) in accordance with the Implementing Agreement for the NCHB. The HMP is intended to provide the framework for long-term management of the bank property consistent with the goals of the bank as approved by the U .S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), and California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). The NCHB Area consists of an approximately 18.73-acre site, and is located in the City of Carlsbad in northwestern San Diego County, California south of Palomar Airport Road and Hidden Valley Road (Figures 1 and 2). Commercial development occurs to the west, Palomar Airport Road forms the northern boundary, and undeveloped /open space occurs to the southwest, south, and immediately east. Encinas Creek bisects the property, with the southeastern corner of the site sloping up from the creek. The NCHB is located within the City of Carlsbad's Habitat Management Plan (Carlsbad HMP; 1999), which addresses potential impacts to native species and habitats (and some non-native habitats) while at the same time providing mitigation options that satisfy the federal and state Endangered Species Acts (ESAs). The primacy objective of the Carlsbad HMP is to allow development while identifying and maintaining an open space area system that allows for the sustained existence of animals and plants at both the local and regional levels. The Carlsbad HMP preserve is a network of large habitat blocks with interconnecting linkages. In the context of the Carlsbad HMP, the NCHB project site is located within Local Facility Management Zone (LFMZ) 5. Existing hardline conservation areas occur immediately south of the site. This HMP is intended to meet management objectives of the Carlsbad HMP. The open space designation is intended to provide permanent protection for sensmve biological resources. The proposed open space area will be compatible with open space in adjacent areas, thereby providing a substantial contribution to subregional and regional open space systems outlined in the Multiple Habitat Conservation Program (MHCP) Subregional Plan (San Diego Association of Governments 2003) as well as the Carlsbad HMP (1999). All open space areas (i.e., approximately 15.7 acres) will be conveyed to the City of Carlsbad and managed by a Habitat Manager approved by the City, Corps, CDFG, and Service. In this way, all