HomeMy WebLinkAboutCT 93-09; Ocean Bluff; Tentative Map (CT) (53). STATE OF CALIFORNIA — THE RESOURCES AGENCV^ '""*" PETE WILSON, Governor
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
4949 VIEWRIDGE DR.
SAN DIEGO, CA 92123 , <"7 -
(619) 467-4212
April 1, 1998
Ms. Anne Hysong
Planning Department
City of Carlsbad
2075 Las Palmas Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92009-1576
Habitat Loss Permit for the Ocean Bluff Project, City of Carlsbad (CT 93-09)
Dear Ms. Hysong:
The California Department of Fish and Game's (DFG) Natural Community Conservation
Planning (NCCP) staff has reviewed the proposed Habitat Loss Permit and accompanying
documents for the Ocean Bluff project and offers the following comments. The 31.2-acre project
proposes to build a 94-lot residential subdivision in Local Facilities Management Zone 20 within
the City of Carlsbad. Much of the site has been disturbed by past and current agricultural
activities. All significant impacts to biological resources would occur off-site when Poinsettia
Lane is extended to reach the project. Off-site construction would remove 3.98 acres of coastal
sage scrub habitat and impact one pair of California gnatcatchers. The current project impacts are
not expected to significantly affect the City's Habitat Management Plan (HMP). The project
proposes to purchase 7.96 acres of habitat mitigation credits in the Carlsbad Highlands
Conservation Bank to mitigate for impacts to coastal sage scrub and the gnatcatcher. A letter
provided to the DFG by the project proponent, dated March 23, 1998 (from Natural Resource
Consultants to Mr. Brian Millich), indicates that recent surveys of the Poinsettia Lane area to be
impacted show no current gnatcatcher use for breeding purposes.
The DFG concurs with the proposed project design and mitigation program for impacts to
coastal sage scrub and the California gnatcatcher. Our records indicate that on March 13, 1996,
the Ocean Bluff property owner acquired 8.0 acres of mitigation credit within the Carlsbad
Highlands Conservation Bank, thus fulfilling the project's biological off-site mitigation
requirements. The project is consistent with the NCCP Conservation Guidelines and the 4(d)
Rule, and is eligible for a Habitat Loss Permit. If you have any questions regarding this letter,
Ms. Anne Hysong
April 1, 1998
Page Two
please contact David Lawhead at (619) 467-421 1 . Thank you.
Sincerely,
cc: Department of Fish and Game
Mr. Ron Rempel
Ms. Gail Presley
Sacramento
Mr. David Lawhead
San Diego
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Ms. Sherry Barrett
Ms. Julie Vanderwier
Carlsbad Field Office
FILE: Chron
OCEANBLF.DNL
LAWHEAD /TIPPETS
William E. Tippets
NCCP Field Supervisor