Type: report

Article abstract: INTRODUCTION A. Background The Robertson Ranch Master Plan area is approximately 398 acres of planned development located within the north-central area of the city of Carlsbad (Figure 1). Through the CEQA review for the Robertson Ranch Master Plan project, the project was determined to result in significant impacts to sensitive upland biological resources. As mitigation for these impacts, the two Robertson Ranch landowners are obligated to set aside for permanent conservation significant amounts of open space, including large tracts of native and restored Diegan coastal sage scrub (ʺDCSSʺ) habitat. This habitat conservation and revegetation provides for a habitat corridor running diagonally through the Robertson Ranch site from north-east to southwest, but also meanders throughout the hillsides of the property. The Robertson Ranch is owned by two separate entities, as follows: East Village - Calavera Hills II, LLC West Village - Robertson Family Trust This Robertson Ranch East Village Open Space Land Management Plan (ʺPlanʺ) constitutes the land management plan for the open spaces of the East Village only. The East Village open spaces subject to this Plan are identified as the East Village Habitat Conservation Area (ʺEVHCAʺ) (Figure 2). This is the area affected by the requirements of this Plan. This Plan is intended to provide guidance to the open space manager, to ensure the perpetual conservation and maximization of the biological resource values of the EVHCA. The EVHCA is being preserved in accordance with the requirements of the City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (ʺHMPʺ), in concurrence with the City of Carlsbad, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (ʺUSFWSʺ) and the California Department of Fish and Game (ʺCDFGʺ). The primary goal of this habitat conservation is to protect the habitat of the federally listed coastal California gnatcatcher, as well as other listed species and sensitive plant and wildlife species that are covered under the Multiple Habitat Conservation Plan (ʺMHCPʺ). A total of two (2) gnatcatchers have been observed to occupy the East Village preserve area in the survey (2002) by Merkel & Associates used to determine the preserve areas. To confirm the presence of coastal California gnatcatcher, a presence/absence survey shall be undertaken by long-term management entity within 60 days of officially accepting the property. The subject EVHCA constitutes the implementation of the