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Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP)
 The
Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) is a comprehensive,
long-term habitat conservation plan developed to address the needs
of multiple species and the preservation of natural vegetation communities
in southwestern San Diego County. The MSCP Subregional Plan, a "framework"
plan for the 12 participating jurisdictions, was adopted by the
City of San Diego and County of San Diego in 1997. The MSCP Subregional
Plan addresses the potential impacts of urban growth, natural habitat
loss and species endangerment, and creates a plan to mitigate for
the potential loss of "covered species" and their habitat
due to the direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of future development
of both public and private lands within the MSCP's approximately
900-square mile study area.
The City of Chula Vista MSCP Subarea Plan is a policy document
through which the MSCP Subregional Plan is implemented within the
City's jurisdiction. The City's MSCP Subarea Plan provides a blueprint
for habitat preservation and forms the basis for federal and state
incidental "take " permits for 86 plant and animal species
within the City. The incidental take permits are issued by the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department
of Fish and Game, also referred to as the "Wildlife Agencies".
 The City of Chula Vista Final MSCP Subarea Plan (See 2003 Final
Plan and Figures) was approved by the Chula Vista City Council
on May 13th, 2003. The Subarea Plan provides conservation of covered
species and their associated habitats. Specifically, the Plan includes:
1) A Quino checkerspot butterfly Recovery Component sufficient
to warrant coverage for the species and making it the "86th"
covered species under the City's requested incidental take permit;
2) additional conservation on a number of properties increasing
the City's overall Preserve acreage; and 3) implementing ordinances
and an implementing agreement to provide further assurance that
the Subarea Plan will be implemented as described in the Plan.
The City's Preserve will eventually encompass approximately 5,000
acres of the City's most sensitive open space areas. In addition,
another approximately 4,200 acres outside the City's jurisdiction
will be preserved as a result of development occurring within the
City's urban boundaries. Lands set aside within the Preserve will
be appropriately managed while still providing passive recreational
opportunities for area residents and the public at large.
 As of January 13, 2005, the City of Chula Vista was issued a Section 10(a)(1)(b) Incidental "Take" Permit by the Wildlife Agencies, which grants the City long-term authorization to "take" (or impact) certain Covered Species as defined in the Endangered Species Act. In addition, this Take Permit provides the City the authority to allow a landowner or other public or private entity to impact sensitive species covered under the City's MSCP Subarea Plan.
In addition, an Implementing Agreement (IA) was signed by the Wildlife Agencies in order to ensure implementation of the Chula Vista MSCP Subarea Plan. The IA serves as the legal agreement between the City of Chula Vista and Wildlife Agencies binding each of the parties to perform the obligations, responsibilities, and tasks assigned within the Agreement.
For more information regarding the City's MSCP, please contact
the Planning and Building Department, Marisa Lundstedt at (619)
409-5922.
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