Comprehensive Habitat Conservation Plan

The University is currently preparing a Comprehensive Habitat Conservation Plan (Comprehensive HCP) for the main residential campus, Westside Research Park and the Coastal Science Campus (Permit Area). The Comprehensive HCP will provide a framework for ensuring conservation of special status species while addressing future development, operations, vegetation management, and maintenance activities undertaken by the University, including activities associated with implementation of the University’s 2021 Long Range Development Plan (LRDP) and future LRDPs approved during the permit term.

The Comprehensive HCP is intended to provide conservation benefits for four wildlife species (collectively the “Covered Species”): California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii), listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act (FESA); Ohlone tiger beetle (Cicindela ohlone), listed as endangered under FESA; monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), proposed for listing under the FESA; and northwestern pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata), proposed for listing under the FESA.

The Comprehensive HCP will provide for the establishment and management of Preserves to conserve the Covered Species and to achieve the conservation strategy. Upon completion of the HCP, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) would issue an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) under federal law to the University, which would authorize take of listed Covered Species incidental to Covered Activities.