Fires Burn Several Restoration Sites Funded Through Local Mitigation Program

On October 26, 2020, two fires erupted in Orange County: the Silverado Fire (near Irvine and the Canyon communities) and the Blue Ridge Fire (near Yorba Linda). Several restoration sites funded by the Orange County Transportation Authority Environmental Mitigation Program were threatened or damaged. Specifically, three projects managed by the Irvine Ranch Conservancy were impacted. Bee Flat Canyon, which had just received sign off from the wildlife agencies, appears to have been burned in the Silverado Fire. Other projects sites: West Loma and Agua Chinon, which have not received sign off, may also have been burned. And, it was initially thought the Coal Canyon restoration site within Chino Hills State Park burned in the Blue Ridge Fire, but that is not the case based on visual inspection.

Unanimous Approval of Policies, Including Conservation, in Connect SoCal Plan

The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), comprised of 191 cities and six counties is led by a Regional Council of elected officials. Due to COVID, there was a delay in formal adoption of the Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy (collectively called Connect SoCal) to ensure accuracy. The first approval in May met the federal deadline and September’s unanimous approval allowed SCAG to meet the state deadline. There are 10 key policies, all to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled, with one focused on natural and farmland preservation. FHBP assembled a 48 member, cross county coalition to support the policy. Let’s see what regional conservation work we can do now!

Ensure Healthy Ecosystems

FHBP supports decisions that create healthy ecosystems and opposes those that don’t.

Engage the Community

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Enhance Quality of Life

FHBP works to improve the quality of life and sustainability of our region.