Draft list of species to be covered
The County is coordinating with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish & Game to protect sensitive species in the North County MSCP Planning Area. We currently have a list of 63 species of sensitive plants, mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates to pursue for coverage (receive an incidental take permit). Many factors were considered to develop the species list, including species distribution, life history, sensitivity and vulnerability to human activities, viability, dependence on conservation, current listing status and its likelihood to be listed as rare, threatened or endangered in the future under the state or federal endangered species acts. The County of San Diego will also be pursuing an incidental take permit from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish & Game for the species on the covered species list.
The initially considered list of species was developed along with brief descriptions for each species.
Maps and photos of several species and habitats are also available on the North County MSCP Maps & Photos Page.
Independent Science Advisors
The Natural Community Conservation Planning (NCCP) Act requires that NCCP plans include independent scientific input and analysis to assist the California Department of Fish and Game and the plan participants in creating a scientifically-based plan. The North County MSCP planning process was reviewed by eleven Independent Science Advisors:
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Dr. Mike O'Connell (chair) is executive director of the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve Trust.
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Dr. Paul Beier from Northern Arizona University is a noted researcher on the movements of large predators throughout Southern California . He has particular expertise in the area between the Palomar/ Agua Tibia Mountains and the Santa Ana Mountains .
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David Faulkner is a local entomologist with his own consulting firm, Forensic Entomology Services. He is also a research associate in the Entomology Department of the San Diego Natural History Museum.
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Dr. Robert Fisher is affiliated with the San Diego State University reserve system and USGS. He is well known in the region for performing groundbreaking research in the San Diego region on the utilization of habitats by reptiles and amphibians.
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Dr. Brian Foster is a local ornithologist. Dr. Foster’s specialty is the study of rare and endangered birds in the San Diego region.
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Dr. Thomas Griggs is a biologist with expertise in vernal pools and botany.
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Dr. Patrick Kelly is a mammalogist with the Endangered Species Recovery Program.
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Dr. Reed Noss is nationally recognized as one of the foremost experts on conservation of biodiversity and has authored several books on the subject.
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Jeff Opdycke, Conservation Program Manager for the San Diego Zoo works in the area of conservation of local resources. He has a history of reviewing habitats from a regional perspective.
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Trish Smith is a specialist in habitat management and works for The Nature Conservancy managing their preserve in Orange County .
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Dr. Peter Stine from the U.S. Forest Service is an expert in landscape modeling.
Two workshops were held with these advisors to guide the conservation planning for the North County MSCP and assure that it was guided by scientifically sound principles and methods. Documents from this workshop are available on the North County MSCP Documents Page.
Last updated: June 2008
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