Regional Conservation Planning

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9_Solana Beach EIR_HiRes

City of Solana Beach

Section 3

Shoreline and Coastal Bluff Management Strategies Draft MEIR

Environmental Impact Analyses

Regional Conservation Planning

The north San Diego County coastal cities, in association with SANDAG, are currently in the

public review phase of the Multiple Habitat Conservation Program (MHCP). The seven-city

study area for the MHCP includes Solana Beach and Encinitas. The purpose of the MHCP is to

create a regional preserve system designed to sustain viable populations of sensitive plant and

animal species while maintaining continued economic development and quality of life. The

MHCP is one of several large habitat planning efforts in the county. The Multiple Species

Conservation Program (MSCP) is the approved plan covering the City of San Diego and county

lands around the City. Del Mar, which abuts Solana Beach to the south, is part of the MSCP

planning area. Rancho Santa Fe, abutting Solana Beach to the east, will be covered by the

North San Diego County MSCP, which is currently in the development phase.

These planning efforts are relevant to this evaluation because they establish policies related to

the protection of biological resources. The MHCP, which when approved will cover Solana

Beach, has been developed to help manage the cumulative impacts resulting from growth in the

region. To avoid conflicts with MHCP policies, policy changes within Solana Beach regarding

sensitive biological resources should be consistent with regional habitat conservation

guidelines. Although Solana Beach has limited remaining biological resources within its

jurisdiction, any potential impact to these resources resulting from changes in City policy needs

to be evaluated in relation to region wide habitat conservation policies.

3.3.2 Environmental Impacts

3.3.2.1 Significance Criteria and Methodology

This section focuses on potential impacts to biological resources resulting from the alternative

City policies regarding shoreline and coastal bluff protection. For purposes of this analysis,

impacts to biological resources resulting from the alternative policies are not classified as direct

or indirect. Technically, direct impacts to biological resources would only result from specific

projects allowed or encouraged under the policy. Therefore, impacts have not been classified

into direct and indirect or temporary and permanent.

For the purpose of this MEIR, impacts to biological resources are considered significant if the

proposed alternative would result in:

a reduction of the number of, a restriction of the range of, or other adverse effects upon an

endangered, rare, or threatened plant or animal or its habitat;

substantial loss of habitat for commonly occurring wildlife, fish, or plant species;

substantial interference with the movement of migratory wildlife or fish species;

conflict with local, state, or federal environmental plans or policies aimed at protecting

sensitive biological resources;

cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels; or

threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community.

Project No. 323530000

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