RCA Board of Directors Meeting Summary
Monday, February 3, 2025
Original Agenda
1. Consent Calendar Highlights
Western Riverside County MSHCP fee collection report for November 2024 • Total for November $1,873,874
• FY 24 – 2025 Year-to-Date: $10,44,454
Acquisitions Status Report
• In the 2024 calendar year, 22 parcels have been acquired, which include 16 feetitle acquisitions and 6 processed donations. • The 16 fee-title acquisitions added approximately 2,226 acres and 6 donations added approximately 208 acres, for a combined total of 2,434 acres added to the reserve. As of November 30, 2024, staff is managing 24 active acquisitions.
State and Federal Legislative Update
• Governor Gavin Newsom released his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, which calls for the expenditure of $2.7 billion out of $10 billion available from Proposition 4, the climate and natural resources bond. Investments include $176 million to the Wildlife Conservation Board, which the RCA can compete for to advance the land acquisition goals of the MSHCP.
• California legislative leaders announced committee assignments for 2025 and several members from the Assembly and Senate in Riverside County were appointed to key fiscal and natural resources committees. • The federal government continues to operate under a Continuing Resolution until March 14 and the new Administration under President Donald Trump will work with Congress to approve appropriations prior to this date. RCA relies on the continued funding of the federal government for the Section 6 grant programs it applies for to fund land acquisitions. Government shutdowns or continued uncertainty regarding FY 2026 appropriations could delay or halt future Section 6 funding cycles. Until FY 2026 appropriations is enacted, Section 6 grants will likely continue to be funded at current levels so long as a Continuing Resolution is in effect.
• Former North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum was confirmed as Secretary of the Interior on January 30.
2. Discussion Highlights
Exempt Surplus Declaration of Real Property
• Resolution No. 2025-002 and No. 2025-005 were adopted by the Board allowing for the RCA to sell .52 acres to the city of Perris and .99 acres to the city of Wildomar.
• The land is needed by the respective cities for roadway related projects.
Replacement land has been identified by the city of Wildomar and RCA which is RCA Board of Directors Meeting Summary
February 3, 2025
of equal or superior value for conservation. Replacement land is not necessary in Perris since the parcel is within the MSHCP Covered Road Area.
Beaumont Pointe Specific Plan Project Criteria Refinement • The Board approved a criteria refinement at the request of the city of Beaumont and the developer of a proposed 540-acre commercial and industrial development.
• A Criteria Refinement is a tool of the MSHCP that allows the land use authority (e.g., County or a city) to extend permitted incidental take authority (e.g., allowing for development) to land described by the MSHCP for conservation, if the project applicant provides replacement conservation land that is of equal or superior conservation value.
• With the Criteria Refinement, a surplus of 24 acres will be conserved in the MSHCP Reserve than required by the MSHCP. In total, the project will place 231 acres of habitat into the MSHCP Reserve.
• Once the Criteria Refinement is approved by the city, RCA, and state and federal wildlife agencies, it will be incorporated into the project’s California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) document and the city’s CEQA determination. • This board action additionally provides responsible agency findings for CEQA and necessary agreements with the applicant.
Reserve of the Month
• The San Jacinto River Ranchos Meadows reserve at Lone Cone, a 73-acre reserve, is located north of Highway 74 at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains along the San Jacinto River, east of the City of Hemet. This Reserve was acquired by the RCA in 2009 for approximately $908,000.
• The Reserve features essential riparian scrub, coast sage scrub, alluvial fan sage scrub and chapparal habitats. This area is also a wildlife corridor for species including the mountain lion, bobcat, San Bernardino kangaroo rat, and LA pocket mouse. This reserve also supports the arroyo chub in the San Jacinto River. • The Los Angeles pocket mouse and arroyo chub are listed as California Species of Special Concern. The Ranchos Meadows reserve also supports listed species, including the coastal California gnatcatcher.