Saddle Creek South Becomes First Purchased Property
For OCTA Environmental Mitigation Program
Nestled next to the Cleveland National Forest in eastern Orange County, “Saddle Creek South,” represents an iconic California landscape – rich with live oak woodlands, coastal sage scrub, chaparral and riparian habitat. It is also home of two sensitive species: the coastal California gnatcatcher and the intermediate mariposa lily.
OCTA purchased Saddle Creek South for $3.2 million from voter-approved Measure M2 funds. OCTA’s Environmental Mitigation Program will help protect this pristine land, preserving critical habitat for endangered species. The land also will serve as open space reflecting the natural rustic character, charm and beauty of the Santa Ana Mountains.
By linking the already protected Saddle Creek North with the new acquisition of 84 acres of Saddle Creek South, two neighboring wildlife preserves will allow wildlife to move safely between existing protected areas in south and central Orange County.
The landmark event celebrates Orange County’s unique environmental stewardship of wildlife and habitat preservation. It is made possible thanks to Orange County’s taxpayers and voters who approved the renewal of Measure M, a half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements.
Officials taking part on the commemoration event said the day would not be possible without the tireless work of community members, the environmental community, the Measure M2 Environmental Oversight Committee, officials from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Game and other resource agencies, leaders from Caltrans and OCTA’s Board of Directors.
Event speakers included:
Will Kempton, OCTA Chief Executive Officer
Patricia Bates, OCTA Board Chair and Orange County 5th District Supervisor
Melanie Schlotterbeck, OCTA Environmental Oversight Committee Vice Chair and representative on Environmental Coalition in Support of Renewed Measure M
Bill Campbell, OCTA Board Director and Orange County 3rd District Supervisor
Jonathan Snyder, Wildlife Biologist from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Tracey LaVelle, Chief of Caltrans Office of Public Information
OCTA’s Environmental Mitigation Program delivers sweeping results to protect our natural resources while adhering to the promise to voters to implement 13 freeway improvement projects.
The first property acquisition aimed at preserving our environmental legacy is the majestic 84 acres called Saddle Creek South.
OCTA will soon announce other habitat purchases throughout Orange County joining the Environmental Mitigation Program.
Freeway Program: Innovative Environmental Mitigation
A minimum of 5% of the M2 Freeway Program budget will be available, subject to a master agreement, to provide for comprehensive, rather than piecemeal, mitigation of the environmental impacts of freeway improvements. This freeway program is formally called the Mitigation and Resource Projection Program.
Using a proactive, innovative approach, the master agreement negotiated between the OCTA and state and federal resource agencies will provide higher-value environmental benefits such as habitat protection, wildlife corridors and resource preservation in exchange for streamlined project approvals for the freeway program as a whole.
Freeway projects also will be planned, designed and constructed with consideration for their aesthetic, historic and environmental impacts on nearby properties and communities using such elements as parkway-style designs, locally native landscaping, sound reduction and aesthetic treatments that complement the surroundings.