WILDLIFE CORRIDOR - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Cin o De�rqQat1�� rark District GENERAL MANAGER Jim Friedl DATE: January 24, 2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chuck Huffer, Chair George M. Lange, Vice Chair Susan L. Holt, Director Nellie Cusworth, Director Doug Nickles, Director GENERAL MANAGER EMERITUS Tex Ward TO: Board of Directors FROM: Jim Friedl, General Man a er SUBJECT: Comment Letter on Ve ty's Habitat Connectivity and Wildlife Corridor Project and related Ordinance RECOMMENDATION Authorize staff to prepare a letter from the Conejo Recreation and Park District in support of Ventura County's Habitat Connectivity and Wildlife Corridor Project and Ordinance Regulating Development Within the Habitat Connectivity and Wildlife Corridors and the Critical Wildlife Passage Areas Overlay Zones. BACKGROUND The County of Ventura's Planning Commission is scheduled to conduct a hearing for the Habitat Connectivity and Wildlife Corridor Project on January 31, 2019. An exhibit from the County staff report identifying the regional wildlife corridors is attached. In preparation of this meeting the County has established a website with links (see https://vcrma.org/habitat-connectivity-and-wildlife-movement- corridors). The County webpage contains: - The Proposed Habitat Connectivity and Wildlife Corridor Ordinance - The Planning Commission Staff Report - Staff Report Exhibits and Maps - Frequently asked questions section The Conejo Recreation & Park District, along with the City of Thousand Oaks and Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency, have worked for decades to protect a natural ring of open space around the Conejo Valley. Wildlife linkages between open space systems are critically important for a healthy natural environment. In January 2017, the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency commented regarding the importance of wildlife corridors as they relate to the "Ring of Green" (open space) around the Conejo Valley and the importance of maintaining a habitat link (wildlife corridor) between the open space in the Conejo Valley and the natural lands to the south (Santa Monica Mountains) and the north (Simi Hills, Sierra Madre, Los Padres National Forest.) (See attached letter and Exhibit). The County's proposed ordinance addresses measures (fencing, lighting, natural vegetation) intended to facilitate plant and animal movement along these critical corridors. STRATEGIC PLAN COMPLIANCE 4.2 Develop, maintain and enhance relationships with other government agencies serving our community such as County of Ventura, national and state parks, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES 403 West Hillcrest Drive • Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-4223 (805) 495-6471 • FAX: (805) 497-3199 • Email: parks@crpd.org • Website: www.cr.Dd.org