Plan Aims to Guard Desert Species, Ease Development

A sweeping conservation plan that would protect 1.2 million acres in the Coachella Valley while removing environmental hurdles for future development in other areas was approved Tuesday by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors.

The controversial plan, in the works for more than a decade, requires several desert cities’ approval to take effect.

Characterized as a compromise between environmentalists and builders in the rapidly developing region, the $1.8-billion proposal sets aside habitat for 27 desert species and puts a patchwork of conservation areas under local control.

Developer mitigation fees, landfill dumping fees, county sales tax transportation funds and state transportation fees will fund the program.

Under the 75-year plan, development in areas outside the conservation area would no longer require lengthy environmental reviews or be subject to conservation groups’ lawsuits.

“It gives developers certainty,” said Supervisor Roy Wilson, who represents the Coachella Valley .

Builders back the plan, which would mandate $5,200-an-acre mitigation fees from developers to buy land for conservation, said Fred Bell, executive director of the Building Industry Assn.’s desert chapter.

The agreement would also allow road construction to go forward, helping to relieve congestion in the region, officials said.