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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-04; Environmental Sustainability Commission; 02; Habitat Management Plan PresentationMeeting Date: June 4, 2026 To: Environmental Sustainability Commission From: James Wood, Environmental Sustainability Director Staff Contact: Rosanne Humphrey, Senior Program Manager rosanne.humphrey@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2689 Subject: Districts: Recommended Action Receive a presentation on the Habitat Management Plan as it relates to open space in the City of Carlsbad. This item is presented to support the Environmental Sustainability Commission’s mission and further their workplan goal related to Natural Resources, Open Space, and Preserves. Executive Summary Open space and the natural environment have been identified as a core value in the Carlsbad Community Vision, adopted in 2010. Subsequently, City Council adopted the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan to establish five strategic goals to help fulfil the community’s vision over a five- year period. The purpose of Goal 3: Sustainability and the Natural Environment, is to protect the environment and natural resources through key performance indicators and strategic objectives. Strategies include the implementation of policies and programs in a variety of city plans, including the Habitat Management Plan, also called the HMP. Managed growth through implementation of the city’s General Plan and Growth Management Program also contribute to the core values and strategic goals related to open space and protecting the natural environment. Open space is generally defined as an undeveloped area that protects certain valuable land types for the community, such as natural vegetation or parks. The General Plan identifies four specific categories of open space, which provides a framework for planning. Category 1 is open space for natural resources, Category 2 is open space for managed production of resources such as agriculture, Category 3 is open space for outdoor recreation and Category 4 is open space for aesthetic, cultural and educational purposes. Category 1 open space includes, but is not limited to, HMP preserves. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION June 4, 2026 Item #2 Page 1 of 3 Explanation & Analysis The Habitat Management Division is dedicated to protecting native plants, animals and habitats through implementation of the city’s Habitat Management Plan or HMP (Exhibit 1). The HMP is part of a regional conservation planning effort under the framework of the Multiple Habitat Conservation Program, which addresses the conservation of multiple species in northwest San Diego County. The city developed the HMP, in cooperation with federal and state wildlife agencies and biological experts, to preserve and protect sensitive biological resources within the city while allowing for continued growth and development under the city’s General Plan and Growth Management Program. The HMP was adopted by the City Council in November 2004, and the city entered into an Implementing Agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Wildlife to protect a variety of sensitive species into the future. The City of Carlsbad is the only city in North County with an approved Habitat Management Plan. All habitat in the city, whether inside or outside of a preserve, is protected by state and federal regulations and the Habitat Management Plan. The HMP describes how activities within the city, such as development, will comply with the state and federal Endangered Species Acts and the California Natural Communities Conservation Planning Act. In addition to certain development standards, the HMP requires the establishment of a citywide preserve system to protect 31 sensitive species and 24 habitat types by conserving core habitat areas that are interconnected with wildlife movement corridors. Permanent land protection, long-term management, biological monitoring and annual reporting are required for all new preserves established after adoption of the HMP. Currently, the HMP preserve system consists of 6,235 acres of permanently conserved lands. This represents 96% of the required target acreage. Future preserves are identified on certain properties as Proposed Hardline and Standards Areas. It is estimated that the city will add an additional 243 acres to complete the preserve system. Currently, the preserve system consists of almost 150 individual preserves owned by a variety of landowners, including City of Carlsbad, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, land management entities, and private landowners. The city owns 678 acres (11%) of HMP preserve. Approximately 2,550 acres (41%) are privately owned, mostly by various homeowners associations and business associations. All preserves added after adoption of the HMP in 2004 require a permanently funded land manager; however, many of the pre-existing preserves that were added to the preserve system when the HMP was initiated did not have a funded land manager and this status has not changed. Therefore, approximately 2,000 acres (30%) remain unmanaged. Fiscal Analysis None. Next Steps The Habitat Management Division will host an annual meeting in Spring 2027. Past meeting videos and more information can be found on the city’s website. Updates will be provided to the Environmental Sustainability Commission in the future, as needed. June 4, 2026 Item #2 Page 2 of 3 Environmental Evaluation The proposed action is not a “project” as defined by CEQA Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) and does not require environment review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) and 15061(b)(3), because the proposed action to receive a presentation on the Habitat Management Plan is an organizational or administrative government activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. Any subsequent action or direction stemming from the proposed action may require preparation of an environmental document in accordance with CEQA or CEQA Guidelines. Exhibit 1. Habitat Management Plan dated November 2004 (on file in the Office of the City Clerk) June 4, 2026 Item #2 Page 3 of 3 Exhibit 1 Habitat Management Plan dated November 2004 (on file in the Office of the City Clerk) From:Lance Schulte To:Environmental; Council Internet Email; CarlsbadLCP@Coastal; "People for Ponto" Subject:Public Input for the 6-4-26 sustainbility Commision meeting and Carlsbad and CA Coasatl Commsion Local Coastal Program Amendment(s) Date:Monday, June 1, 2026 8:27:22 AM Attachments:Sea Level Rise and Carlsbad DLCP-LUPA planned loss of OS at Ponto - 2022 (2).pdf Dear Carlsbad Sustainability Commission (formally Beach Preservation Commission), Carlsbad City Council & CA Coastal Commission: This is Public Input for the 6-4-26 sustainability Commission meeting and Carlsbad and CA Coastal Commission Local Coastal Program Amendment(s). Since 2017 Carlsbad Citizens in over 8,000 petitions have been asking the Carlsbad City Council (CC) and CA Coastal Commission (CCC) to accountably address the and well documented need to add Significant Usable Open Space land use acreage at Ponto to: Address Ponto's Growth Management Open Space Standard deficit (30-acres) created by the City's False Exemption for Ponto developers, but also Provide Significant Usable Coastal Open Space (Usable Parks and Coastal Recreation uses) critically needed for the 62% of Carlsbad's population and families that live in South Carlsbad yet has no True Coastal Park. Provide Significant Usable Coastal Open Space (Usable Parks and Coastal Recreation uses) critically needed for the additional inland population need for a Significant and True Coastal Park for 6-miles of Coastline (about 4-miles in Carlsbad and 2 miles in Encinitas) that are all residential use with no True Coastal Park. Ponto is in the very center of this 6-mile Coastal Park deficit. Address the last significant vacant (and still unplanned - and LCPA is needed) land that is the last tax-payer cost effective opportunity to provide an appropriately sized True Coastal Park for the documented Usable Open Space Deficit, Park shortfall (the City is making up for by a 'paper allocation' of an inland Veterans Park 6-miles away) that is only 50% Usable. and, Address the known loss of 32-acres of currently existing Open Space at Ponto/South Coastal Carlsbad due to Sea Level Rise and accelerated coastal bluff and beach erosion the City was required to document in 2017 after the City's 2015 General Plan Update. Ponto is both the place that is being impacted and the only place with sufficient vacant land to address these needs. The well documented need expressed since 2017 by those 8,000+ Citizen petitions is reflected in two specific issues that the Sustainability Commission, CC and CCC are responsible for: 1. The Sustainability Commission's responsibility to address with documented Usable Open Space deficit created by the City's False Exemption from the City's 15% Usable Space (Growth Management Quality of Life) Standard. This false Exemption has resulted in Ponto being short 30-acres of Usable Open Space (Parks, CoastalCostal Recn land uses, etc.). This shortage of is an issue the CC directed the Sustainability Commission to address: 2. The City Council's and CA Coastal Commission's to accountabily address the Ponto Planning Area F Local Coastal Program Land Use Policy requirement tto address the 'need Coastal Recreation (i.e. Public Park) and/or Low-Cost Visitor Accmodation land use'. This requirement is connected to the Sustainability Commission's responsibility. 3. The Sustainbiilty Commission's (as also the former Beach Preservation Commission), City Council's and CA Coastal Commision's responsibility to address documented Sea Level Rise/Coastal Erosion impacts on Coastal Open Space land use acreage documented in Carlsbad's 2017 Study but not addressed in the 2015 General Plan Update Proposal that has yet to be evaluated by the CA Coastal Commission. The attached 'Seal Level Rise and City planned loss of OS at Ponto' summarizes the City's analysis, that has yet to be 'certified by the CCC. This data points to loosing 32-aces of Open Space. On top of this planned loss of 32-acres, the earlier provided History of Open Space at Ponto summarizes the City's False Exemption that created the current 30-acre Usable Open Space deficit at Ponto. The Sustainability Commission should address these 3 issues as it makes its required recommendations to the City Council, then the Council's recommendation to the CA Coastal Commission, and finally by the CA Coastal Commission in its final determinations of the final policy and land use plan to address all these issues. Lance Schulte PS: Citizens have in the last 9-years and in 8,000+ petitions an numerous presentations asked the City and CA Coastal Commission to address these facts and create a sound Coastal Land Use Plan at Ponto that truly corrects the documented 30-acre Usable Open Space Deficit (created by a False Exemption), the documented loss of 32-acres of Ponto Coastal Open Space, and the documented need for a True and Significantly sized/dimensioned Coastal Park (aka Usable Open Space) for a significant population (62% of Carlsbad plus others) and area (6-miles of coastline without a True Coastal Par) that are in great need. The decisions the Sustainability Commission, City Council and CA Coastal Commission will make will likely be the final and forever decision. Once vacant land is developed it will never be undeveloped unless a exorbitant cost. Virus-free.www.avg.com CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Sea Level Rise and Carlsbad’s DLCP-LUPA’s projected/planned Loss of Open Space at Ponto Page 1 of 7 Sea Level Rise and Carlsbad’s DLCP-LUPA’s projected/planned Loss of Open Space at Ponto Introduction: Carlsbad first documented Sea Level Rise (SLR) and associated increases in coastal erosion in a December 2017 Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment (2017 SLR Assessment). Prior planning activities (2010 Ponto Vision Plan – rejected by CA Coastal Commission, and 2015 General Plan Update) did not consider SLR and how SLR would impact Coastal Open Space Land Use & CA Coastal Act ‘High-Priority’ Coastal Open Space Land Uses at Ponto. The 2017 SLR Assessment shows Open Space land and Open Space Land Uses are almost exclusively impacted by SLR at Ponto & South Coastal Carlsbad. The 2017 SLF Assessment also shows significant LOSS of Open Space land acreage and Land Uses. Most all impacted Open Space Land Uses are CA Coastal Act “High-Priority Coastal Land Uses” – Coastal Recreation (i.e. Public Park) and Low-Cost Visitor Accommodations. Existing Ponto Open Space Land Uses are already very congested (non-existent/narrow beach) and have very high, almost exclusionary, occupancy rates (Campground) due to existing population/visitor demands. Future population/visitor increases will make this demand situation worst. The significant permanent LOSS of existing Coastal Open Space land and Coastal Open Space Land Use (and land) due to SLR reduces existing supply and compounds Open Space congestion elsewhere. Prior Ponto planning did not consider, nor plan, for significant SLR and current/future “High-Priority” Coastal Open Space Land Use demands. Open Space and City Park demand at Ponto: Open Space at Ponto is primarily ‘Constrained’ as defined by the City’s Growth Management Program (GMP), and cannot be counted in meeting the City’s minimal 15% ‘Unconstrained’ GMP Open Space Standard. Per the GMP Open Space Standard, the developers of Ponto should have provided in their developments at least 30-acres of additional ‘Unconstrained’ GMP Open Space at Ponto. City GIS mapping data confirm 30-acres of GMP Standard Open Space is missing at Ponto (Local Facilities Management Plan Zone 9). The City of Carlsbad GIS Map on page 2 shows locations of Open Spaces at Ponto. This map and its corresponding tax parcel-based data file document Ponto’s non-compliance with the GMP Open Space Standard. A summary of that City GIS data file is also on page 2. The City said Ponto’s non-compliance with the GMP Open Space Standard was ‘justified’ by the City ‘exempting’ compliance with the Standard. The City ‘justified’ this ‘exemption’ for reasons that do not appear correct based on the City’s GIS map and data on page 2, and by a review of 1986 aerial photography that shows most of Ponto as vacant land. The City in the Citywide Facilities Improvement Plan (CFIP) said 1) Ponto was already developed in 1986, or 2) Ponto in 1986 already provided 15% of the ‘Unconstrained’ land as GMP Standard Open Space. Both these ‘justifications’ for Ponto ‘exemption’ in the CFIP were not correct. The legality of the City ‘exempting’ Ponto developers from the GMP Open Space Standard is subject to current litigation. The City proposes to continue to exempt future Ponto developers from providing the missing 30-acres of minimally required GMP Open Space, even though a change in Ponto Planning Area F land use from the current ‘Non-Residential Reserve” Land Use requires comprehensive Amendment of the Local Facilitates Management Plan Zone 9 to account for a land use change. City exemption is subject of litigation. Ponto (west of I-5 and South of Poinsettia Lane) currently has 1,025 homes that per Carlsbad’s minimal Park Standard demand an 8-acre City Park. There is no City Park at Ponto. Coastal Southwest Carlsbad has an over 6.5 acre Park deficit that is being met 6-miles away in NW Carlsbad. Ponto is in the middle of 6-miles of Coastline without a City Coastal Park west of the rail corridor. Sea Level Rise and Carlsbad’s DLCP-LUPA’s projected/planned Loss of Open Space at Ponto Page 2 of 7 City GIS map of Ponto’s (LFMP Zone 9) Open Space:  ght green areas meet the City’s 15%  on map) is “Constrained”  Aviara - Zone 19, Ponto - Zone 9 and Hanover/Poinsettia Shores – Zone 22 all developed around the same time and had similar vacant lands.  City required Aviara - Zone 19 east of Ponto to provide the 15% Standard Open Space. Why not Ponto? Aviara had the same lagoon waters.  City required Hanover & Poinsettia Shores area Zone 22 just north of Ponto to provide the 15% Standard Open Space. Why not Ponto?   30 Acres Missing Unconstrained Open Space needed in LFMP Zone 9 [Ponto] to meet the City’s minimum GMP Open Space Standard per City’s GIS map & data 73% of the City’s minimum 15% required Open Space Standard is missing due to over development of LFMP Zone 9 [Ponto] Sea Level Rise and Carlsbad’s DLCP-LUPA’s projected/planned Loss of Open Space at Ponto Page 3 of 7 Sea Level Rise impacts on Open Space and Open Space Land Use Planning at Ponto: The City’s 2015 General Plan Update did not factor in the impacts of Sea Level Rise (SLR) on Ponto’s Open Space land. In December 2017 the City conducted the first Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment https://www.carlsbadca.gov/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=33958. The 2017 SLR Assessment is an initial baseline analysis, but it shows significant SLR impacts on Ponto Open Space. More follow-up analysis is being conducted to incorporate newer knowledge on SLR projections and coastal land erosion accelerated by SLR. Follow-up analysis may likely show SLR impacts occurring sooner and more extreme. Troublingly the 2017 SLR Assessment shows SLR actually significantly reducing or eliminating Open Space land at Ponto. SLR is projected to only impact and eliminate Open Space lands and Open Space Land Use at Ponto. The loss of Ponto Open Space land and Land Use being at the State Campground, Beaches, and Batiquitos Lagoon shoreline. The losses of these Open Space lands and land uses would progress over time, and be a permanent loss. The 2017 SLR Assessment provides two time frames near- term 2050 that match with the Carlsbad General Plan, and the longer-term ‘the next General Plan Update’ time frame of 2100. One can think of these timeframes as the lifetimes of our children and their children (2050), and the lifetimes of our Grandchildren and their children (2100). SLR impact on Coastal Land Use and Coastal Land Use planning is a perpetual (permanent) impact that carries over from one Local Coastal Program (LCP) and City General Plan (GP) to the next Updated LCP and GP. Following (within quotation marks) are excerpts from Carlsbad’s 2017 Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment: [Italicized text within brackets] is added data based on review of aerial photo maps in the Assessment. “Planning Zone 3 consists of the Southern Shoreline Planning Area and the Batiquitos Lagoon. Assets within this zone are vulnerable to inundation, coastal flooding and bluff erosion in both planning horizons (2050 and 2100). A summary of the vulnerability assessment rating is provided in Table 5. A discussion of the vulnerability and risk assessment is also provided for each asset category. 5.3.1. Beaches Approximately 14 acres of beach area is projected to be impacted by inundation/erosion in 2050. … Beaches in this planning area are backed by unarmored coastal bluffs. Sand derived from the natural erosion of the bluff as sea levels rise may be adequate to sustain beach widths, thus, beaches in this reach were assumed to have a moderate adaptive capacity. The overall vulnerability rating for beaches is moderate for 2050. Vulnerability is rated moderate for the 2100 horizon due to the significant amount of erosion expected as the beaches are squeezed between rising sea levels and bluffs. Assuming the bluffs are unarmored in the future, sand derived from bluff erosion may sustain some level of beaches in this planning area. A complete loss of beaches poses a high risk to the city as the natural barrier from storm waves is lost as well as a reduction in beach access, recreation and the economic benefits the beaches provide. 5.3.3. State Parks A majority of the South Carlsbad State Beach day-use facilities and campgrounds (separated into four parcels) were determined to be exposed to bluff erosion by the 2050 sea level rise scenario (moderate exposure). This resource is considered to have a high sensitivity since bluff erosion could significantly impair usage of the facilities. Though economic impacts to the physical structures within South Carlsbad State Beach would be relatively low, the loss of this park would be significant Sea Level Rise and Carlsbad’s DLCP-LUPA’s projected/planned Loss of Open Space at Ponto Page 4 of 7 since adequate space for the park to move inland is not available (low adaptive capacity). State parks was assigned a high vulnerability in the 2050 planning horizon. State park facilities are recognized as important assets to the city in terms of economic and recreation value as well as providing low-cost visitor serving amenities. This vulnerability poses a high risk to coastal access, recreation, and tourism opportunities in this planning area. In 2100, bluff erosion of South Carlsbad State Beach day-use facilities and campgrounds become more severe and the South Ponto State Beach day-use area becomes exposed to coastal flooding during extreme events. The sensitivity of the South Ponto day-use area is low because impacts to usage will be temporary and no major damage to facilities would be anticipated. Vulnerability and risk to State Parks remains high by 2100 due to the impacts to South Carlsbad State Beach in combination with flooding impacts to South Ponto. Table 5: Planning Zone 3 Vulnerability Assessment Summary [condensed & notated]: Asset Horizon Vulnerability Category [time] Hazard Type Impacted Assets Rating Beaches 2050 Inundation/Erosion, Flooding 14 acres (erosion) Moderate 2100 Inundation/Erosion, Flooding 54 acres (erosion) Moderate Public Access 2050 Inundation, Flooding 6 access points Moderate 4,791 feet of trails 2100 Inundation, Flooding 10 access points Moderate 14,049 feet of trails State Parks 2050 Flooding, Bluff Erosion 4 parcels [<18 Acres] High [Campground - 2100 Flooding, Bluff Erosion 4 parcels [>18 Acres] High Low-cost Visitor [loss of over 50% of Accommodations] the campground & its Low-cost Visitor Accommodations, See Figure 5.] Transportation 2050 Bluff Erosion 1,383 linear feet Moderate (Road, Bike, 2100 Flooding, Bluff Erosion 11,280 linear feet High Pedestrian) Environmentally 2050 Inundation, Flooding 572 acres Moderate Sensitive 2100 Inundation, Flooding 606 acres High Lands Sea Level Rise and Carlsbad’s DLCP-LUPA’s projected/planned Loss of Open Space at Ponto Page 5 of 7 Sea Level Rise and Carlsbad’s DLCP-LUPA’s projected/planned Loss of Open Space at Ponto Page 6 of 7 [Figure 5 show the loss of over 50% of the campground and campground sites with a minimal .2 meter Sea Level Rise (SLR), and potentially the entire campground (due to loss of access road) in 2 meter SLF.]” Directions to analyze and correct current and future LOSS of Coastal Open Space Land Use at Ponto On July 3, 2017 the CA Coastal Commission provided direction to Carlsbad stating: “The existing LUP includes policies that require certain visitor-serving developments and/or studies relevant to the Ponto … area. For example, Planning Area F requires the city and developer to "consider and document the need for the provision of lower cost visitor accommodations or recreational facilities (i.e., public park) on the west side of the railroad. … this study should be undertaken as a part of the visitor serving use inventory analysis described above. If this analysis determines that there is a deficit of low cost visitor accommodations or recreation facilities in this area, then Planning Area F should be considered as a site where these types of uses could be developed.” Official Carlsbad Public Records Requests (PRR 2017-260, et. al.) confirmed Carlsbad’s Existing LCP and its Ponto specific existing LUP polices and Zoning regulations were never followed in the City’s prior Ponto planning activities (i.e. 2010 Ponto Vision Plan & 2015 General Plan Update). The projected SLR loss of recreation (beach) and low-cost visitor accommodations (campground) at Ponto should factor in this Existing LCP required analysis, and a LCP-LUP for Ponto and Ponto Planning Area F. In a February 11, 2020 City Council Staff Report City Staff stated: “On March 14, 2017, the City Council approved the General Plan Lawsuit Settlement Agreement (Agreement) between City of Carlsbad and North County Advocates (NCA). Section 4.3.15 of the Agreement requires the city to continue to consider and evaluate properties for potential acquisition of open space and use good faith efforts to acquire those properties.” Sea Level Rise and Carlsbad’s DLCP-LUPA’s projected/planned Loss of Open Space at Ponto Page 7 of 7 In 2020 NCA recommended the City acquire Ponto Planning Area F as Open Space. The status of City processing that recommendation is unclear. However the Lawsuit Settlement Agreement and NCA’s recommendation to the City should also be considered in the required Existing LCP analysis. Summary: Tragically Carlsbad’s’ Draft Local Coastal Program – Land Use Plan Amendment (DLCP-LUPA) is actually planning to both SIGNIFICATLY REDUCE Coastal Open Space acreage, and to eliminate ‘High-Priority Coastal Open Space Land Uses at Ponto due to SLR. The Existing LCP requirements for Ponto Planning Area F to analyze the deficit of Coastal Open Space Land Use should factor in the currently planned LOSS of both Coastal Open Space acreage and Coastal Open Space Land Uses at Ponto due to SLR. As a long-range Coastal Land Use Plan this required LCP analysis needs to also consider the concurrent future increases in both population and visitor demand for those LOST Coastal Open Space acres and Coastal Open Space Land Uses. It is very troubling that demand for these CA Coastal Act ‘High-Priority’ Coastal Open Space Land Uses is increasing at the same time the current (near/at capacity) supply of these CA Coastal Act ‘High-Priority’ Coastal Open Space Land Uses is significantly decreasing due to SLR. Instead of planning for long-term sustainability of these CA Coastal Act ‘High-Priority’ Coastal Open Space Land Uses for future generations there appears to be a plan to use SLR and inappropriate (lower-priority residential) Coastal Land Use planning to forever remove those CA Coastal Act ‘High-Priority’ Coastal Open Space Land Uses from Ponto. CA Coastal Act Policies to address these issues should be thoroughly considered. 2021-2 proposed Draft Local Coastal Program – Land Use Plan Amendment (DLCP-LUPA) will likely result in City and CA Coastal Commission making updates to the 2015 General Plan, based on the existing Ponto Planning Area F LCP – LUP Policy requirements, Ponto Open Space issues, high-priority Coastal Land Use needs, and SLR issues not addressed in the 2015 General Plan. From:Lance Schulte To:Environmental; Council Internet Email; CarlsbadLCP@Coastal; "People for Ponto" Subject:Re: Public Input for the 6-4-26 sustainbility Commision meeting and Carlsbad and CA Coasatl Commsion Local Coastal Program Amendment(s) Date:Tuesday, June 2, 2026 7:21:26 AM Please add to the Public Input the following information about Sea Level Rise that maybe updating the Coastal high-priority Usable Open Space Land Use acreage at Ponto (Coastal Recreation and Low-Cost Visitor Accommodations) that the City documented in 2017 will be lost and that lost appears to be increasing faster than expected. To responsibly address this increasing reality sound Coastal Open Space Land Use Planning decisions need to be made now. This is needed now and well before we land use plan development up against a eroding coastline. Saying we will kick-the-can-down the road to later address this known upcoming, while accelerating Coastal Land Use planning that eliminates cost-effective land use planning to plan to replace those losses is extremely unwise, as viable and cost-effective solutions are eliminated by 'putting the cart before the horse'. Cost effective solutions such as Coastal Land Use planning on remaining unplanned vacant land to plan for more high-priority Coastal Land Uses inland to allow managed retreat/Natural Shorelines should be incorporated NOW into long-term General Plans, Local Coastal Program Land Use Plans, and Growth Management Plans that need to responsibly and accountably address now the reality of the loss of critical Coastal Usable high-priority Open Space acres, and the increased speed of that reality. Nature World News: Global Sea Level Rise Is Rising Faster Than Expected Due to Ocean Warming and Ice Sheet Melt. https://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/73000/20260525/global-sea- level-rise-rising-faster-expected-due-ocean-warming-ice-sheet-melt.htm Please read and think about how you and then we should be responsibly addressing these critical Coastal High-Priority Usable Open Space land use needs and acreage losses at Ponto and the rest of Carlsbad. Deferring/avoiding, closing viable cost effective options, and then painting us into a corner with only a few expensive options is not sound planning, government or leadership. Your time is now. Aloha Aina, On 6/1/2026 8:24 AM, Lance Schulte wrote: Dear Carlsbad Sustainability Commission (formally Beach Preservation Commission), Carlsbad City Council & CA Coastal Commission: This is Public Input for the 6-4-26 sustainability Commission meeting and Carlsbad and CA Coastal Commission Local Coastal Program Amendment(s). Since 2017 Carlsbad Citizens in over 8,000 petitions have been asking the Carlsbad City Council (CC) and CA Coastal Commission (CCC) to accountably address the and well documented need to add Significant Usable Open Space land use acreage at Ponto to: Address Ponto's Growth Management Open Space Standard deficit (30-acres) created by the City's False Exemption for Ponto developers, but also Provide Significant Usable Coastal Open Space (Usable Parks and Coastal Recreation uses) critically needed for the 62% of Carlsbad's population and families that live in South Carlsbad yet has no True Coastal Park. Provide Significant Usable Coastal Open Space (Usable Parks and Coastal Recreation uses) critically needed for the additional inland population need for a Significant and True Coastal Park for 6-miles of Coastline (about 4-miles in Carlsbad and 2 miles in Encinitas) that are all residential use with no True Coastal Park. Ponto is in the very center of this 6-mile Coastal Park deficit. Address the last significant vacant (and still unplanned - and LCPA is needed) land that is the last tax-payer cost effective opportunity to provide an appropriately sized True Coastal Park for the documented Usable Open Space Deficit, Park shortfall (the City is making up for by a 'paper allocation' of an inland Veterans Park 6-miles away) that is only 50% Usable. and, Address the known loss of 32-acres of currently existing Open Space at Ponto/South Coastal Carlsbad due to Sea Level Rise and accelerated coastal bluff and beach erosion the City was required to document in 2017 after the City's 2015 General Plan Update. Ponto is both the place that is being impacted and the only place with sufficient vacant land to address these needs. The well documented need expressed since 2017 by those 8,000+ Citizen petitions is reflected in two specific issues that the Sustainability Commission, CC and CCC are responsible for: 1. The Sustainability Commission's responsibility to address with documented Usable Open Space deficit created by the City's False Exemption from the City's 15% Usable Space (Growth Management Quality of Life) Standard. This false Exemption has resulted in Ponto being short 30-acres of Usable Open Space (Parks, CoastalCostal Recn land uses, etc.). This shortage of is an issue the CC directed the Sustainability Commission to address: 2. The City Council's and CA Coastal Commission's to accountabily address the Ponto Planning Area F Local Coastal Program Land Use Policy requirement tto address the 'need Coastal Recreation (i.e. Public Park) and/or Low- Cost Visitor Accmodation land use'. This requirement is connected to the Sustainability Commission's responsibility. 3. The Sustainbiilty Commission's (as also the former Beach Preservation Commission), City Council's and CA Coastal Commision's responsibility to address documented Sea Level Rise/Coastal Erosion impacts on Coastal Open Space land use acreage documented in Carlsbad's 2017 Study but not addressed in the 2015 General Plan Update Proposal that has yet to be evaluated by the CA Coastal Commission. The attached 'Seal Level Rise and City planned loss of OS at Ponto' summarizes the City's analysis, that has yet to be 'certified by the CCC. This data points to loosing 32-aces of Open Space. On top of this planned loss of 32-acres, the earlier provided History of Open Space at Ponto summarizes the City's False Exemption that created the current 30-acre Usable Open Space deficit at Ponto. The Sustainability Commission should address these 3 issues as it makes its required recommendations to the City Council, then the Council's recommendation to the CA Coastal Commission, and finally by the CA Coastal Commission in its final determinations of the final policy and land use plan to address all these issues. Thank you. Lance Schulte PS: Citizens have in the last 9-years and in 8,000+ petitions an numerous presentations asked the City and CA Coastal Commission to address these facts and create a sound Coastal Land Use Plan at Ponto that truly corrects the documented 30- acre Usable Open Space Deficit (created by a False Exemption), the documented loss of 32-acres of Ponto Coastal Open Space, and the documented need for a True and Significantly sized/dimensioned Coastal Park (aka Usable Open Space) for a significant population (62% of Carlsbad plus others) and area (6- miles of coastline without a True Coastal Par) that are in great need. The decisions the Sustainability Commission, City Council and CA Coastal Commission will make will likely be the final and forever decision. Once vacant land is developed it will never be undeveloped unless a exorbitant cost. Virus-free.www.avg.com CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. From:Steve Linke To:Environmental Cc:Manager Internet Email; Diane Nygaard Subject:Presentation/public comment for 6/4/2026 Environmental Sustainability Commission Item #2 Date:Wednesday, June 3, 2026 11:26:12 AM Attachments:2026-06-04 ESC HMP-open space acquisition presentation - COSC.pptx2026-06-04 ESC HMP-open space acquisition presentation - COSC.pdf Carlsbad staff: I am providing the attached presentation on behalf of the Carlsbad Open Space Coalition for possible presentation at tomorrow's Environmental Sustainability Commission meeting on Item #2. Please have the PowerPoint file available for presentation at the meeting, and please distribute the PDF file to the commissioners in advance as a public comment. Best regards, Steve Linke CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Habitat Management Plan: Open space acquisition prioritization Carlsbad Environmental Sustainability Commission 6/4/2026 Carlsbad Open Space Coalition Carlsbad Tomorrow 2023 report: Quality of Life Concerns & Recommendations •Open Space –“…[A]ddress open space needs throughout the city, including updating the list of candidate properties for proactive open space acquisition and by developing a plan that prioritizes zones with less unconstrained open space or that are subject to loss due to sea level rise.” –“Adopt a policy that discourages exceptions to development standards that would decrease open space.” Carlsbad Environmental Sustainability Commission: 2026 Work Plan •Natural Resources, Open Space and Preserves Goals & Tasks –“Receive an annual report from city staff on open space acquisition and make recommendations…” –“Adopt a policy that discourages exceptions to the city development standards that would decrease open space…” Example GIS data options •General Plan Open Space categories –Outdoor Recreation –Aesthetic, Cultural and Educational –Preservation of Natural Resources –Managed Production of Resources •Strawberry/flower fields, Maerkle Reservoir, etc. •Habitat Management Plan categories –Existing Hardline (includes wetlands) –Proposed Hardline –Outside-Conserved –Standards Area •Slopes/Canyons –E.g., 40% slope threshold Open space categories Outdoor Recreation Aesthetic, Cultural and Educational Preservation of Natural Resources Managed Production of Resources (exclude) HMPcategories Existing Hardline (exclude) Proposed Hardline (exclude) Outside-Conserved Standards Area 2005 Constrained Open Space (wetlands and canyons?) Open space, excluding: -Managed Production of Resources -Hardline habitat -Canyons/steep slopes Habitat Management Plan Rosanne Humphrey, Senior Program Manager Environmental Sustainability Department June 4, 2026 Item 2: Habitat Management Plan 1.Habitat Management Plan (HMP) Overview 2.Open Space vs. HMP preserve 3.Habitat vs. HMP preserve 4.How the HMP preserve is assembled 5.Current status of HMP preserve system Presentation topics 2 Item 2: Habitat Management Plan Core Value: Open space and the natural environment 3 HMP Overview Item 2: Habitat Management Plan 1.Multiple Habitat Conservation Program 2.HMP is a citywide implementation plan 4 HMP Overvew Item 2: Habitat Management Plan 1.Regulatory document •State & federal Endangered Species Acts •California Natural Communities Conservation Planning Act (NCCP) •Regulates impacts to species & habitats EXAMPLE: Development standards to avoid, minimize or replace impacts to sensitive resources. 5 HMP Overview Item 2: Habitat Management Plan 2. Citywide conservation program •Goal: permanently preserve native species & habitats •Science-based program •Large core areas & wildlife movement corridors •Implement monitoring and management 6 Item 2: Habitat Management Plan •“Open space” means different things to different people •General Plan defines 4 categories of open space •Category 1 includes (but is not limited to) HMP preserves •Low-level of protection, no management requirement Open Space vs. HMP General Plan Open Space Category 1-4 Open Space 7 Item 2: Habitat Management Plan •HMP preserve system: a regulatory requirement •Existing and future preserves •Robust protections −Conservation easement −Funded long-term manager −Monitoring, management and reporting requirement Open Space vs. HMP Existing Hardline Proposed Hardline Standards Area Habitat Management Plan Future preserves HMP Preserve 8 Difference between “habitat” and “preserve” Item 2: Habitat Management Plan •All habitat is protected ᶱ Whether inside or outside of a preserve ᶱ Even on private land •Within preserve: no impacts allowed •Outside preserve: impacts potentially allowed, but requires permits and mitigation. Entire Preserve Protected (no impacts allowed) Sensitive habitat outside of preserve: Impacts require permits and mitigation. 9 How the preserve system is assembled Item 2: Habitat Management Plan Focus Planning Area Pre-existing and future preserves 2004 = future conservation Existing Hardline Proposed Hardline Standards Areas 10 How the preserve system is assembled Item 2: Habitat Management Plan Properties with Proposed Hardline or Standards Areas must establish a preserve when developed Mitigation for habitat impacts (habitat creation through planting) Mostly through private development 11 How the preserve system is assembled Item 2: Habitat Management Plan Proposed Hardline •Preserve boundaries have already been established (pre-negotiated) Development area Preserve 12 How the preserve system is assembled Item 2: Habitat Management Plan Standards Areas •Preserve boundaries are delineated based on the appropriate HMP Standards •EXAMPLE: conserve >67% coastal sage scrub, establish 300-ft wide wildlife movement corridorRobertson Ranch 13 Current status Item 2: Habitat Management Plan Existing: 6,235 acres 96% of final target acreage Future: approx. 243 acres Proposed Hardline Standards Area 14 Current status Item 2: Habitat Management Plan City of Carlsbad 11% CA Dept of Fish and Wildlife 24% Land Management Entities 17% Private (HOAs and Other) 41% Other Public/Semi-Public 7% Landowners 15 Current status Item 2: Habitat Management Plan 70% managed 30% unmanaged Unmanaged Preserves were established prior to HMP adoption Land Managers 16 Questions? Thank you 17