Wildlife Mitigation Plan

Introduction

The Harris Ranch Wildlife Impact Assessment and Management Plan (Mitigation Plan) identifies impacts and provides a framework to avoid, minimize, or mitigate potential adverse impacts in areas where it is ecologically responsible and financially reasonable, and to concomitantly foster an environmentally responsible community ethic. Each of the development phases for Harris Ranch is guided by the avoid, minimize and mitigate concept:

Avoid: Identify critical habitat types and avoid development or habitat alteration in those areas. Create restrictions that would limit action within those areas

Minimize: Identify actions that potentially threaten the ongoing presence or success of a particular species, or wildlife biodiversity in general, and reduce those actions to an acceptable level.

Mitigate: Define potential actions that could be taken to enhance or create wildlife habitat in an effort to alleviate habitat loss or alteration in other areas.

 Assessment of Impacts to Wildlife

Adverse impacts are actions that threaten the survival, behavior, and reproduction of wildlife species. Adverse impacts include loss of habitat, introduction of noxious and invasive plant species, increased risk of wildland fires, and increased disturbance to wildlife caused by more traffic, noise, recreation, and pets.

   Mitigation Recommendations

• Initiate and monitor habitat enhancement and restoration projects.
  
• Implement noxious weed abatement.
  
• Create a wildlife conservation and education program for Harris Ranch residents (wildlife manual, newsletter, website, interpretive signage).
  
• Coordinate with cooperating organizations and agencies to bring interpretive educational seminars and presentations to Harris Ranch residents.
  
• Apply for grants and matching funds to supplement a habitat conservation fund.
  
• Review design of and oversee construction of fences
• Serve as a liaison between homeowners and agencies for significant wildlife and habitat issues.
  
• Enforce provisions of the habitat management plan.

 Harris Ranch Master Plan Map