San Diego North County Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP), Version 8 categories

This map depicts the draft North County MSCP plan. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors established the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) in October 1997 as an integral part of the County's efforts to protect parks and open space. The protection of sensitive plant and animal species by the MSCP eliminates the need to list the species as endangered under Federal and State Endangered Species Acts and reduces the costly permit process for private landowners and public agencies. The goal of the MSCP (a 50-year program) is to maintain and enhance biological diversity in the region and maintain viable populations of endangered, threatened, and key sensitive species and their habitats. Not only are endangered and threatened species protected by the MSCP, but the residents of the community will benefit from this preservation of the natural environment as well. Planning a preserve system for the North County region also promotes regional economic viability through streamlining the land use permit process - a significant benefit to landowners. The MSCP is a cooperative effort among the County and other local jurisdictions and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Game (the Wildlife Agencies). These public partners are working with various private landowners, conservation groups, and community planning groups, developers and other stakeholders in assembling the preserve.