SANDAG Acquires Environmentally-Sensitive Land in Encinitas

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) has acquired two parcels of land near the San Elijo Lagoon as part of its TransNet Environmental Mitigation Program (EMP).

The Laser/Kramer Family Trusts owned the 5.81-acre property east of Manchester Avenue between MacKinnon Road and Ocean Cove Drive. Two residential units had been proposed for the land, which is home to several sensitive plant species and home to two breeding pairs of endangered California gnatcatcher (an example of this bird is pictured to the right). 

Funds for this $1.5 million purchase came from the regional TransNet half-cent sales tax extended by voters in 2004.  Escrow closed on Jan. 6, and the property title is expected to be transferred to the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy, according to a news release from SANDAG.

“We are extremely excited about the acquisition,” said Doug Gibson, executive director and principal scientist for the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy. “We’ve been trying to get this site acquired for over 12 years.”

EMP, which was created by the TransNet extension, aims to preserve and restore local habitats to compensate for disturbances caused by transportation projects. This acquisition is meant to partially mitigate the impacts of projects planned in the Interstate-5 North Coast Corridor. EMP purchases are chosen according to regional habitat conservation plans.

“We are pleased to announce that this is the 20th property acquired under the TransNet Environmental Mitigation Program,” SANDAG Executive Director Gary Gallegos said. “Over the past three years alone, SANDAG has helped preserve and restore about 2,300 acres of important habitat throughout San Diego County.” 

The acquisition was supported by the California Coastal Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Game, and the City of Encinitas.