Caltrans commits $7M to Coachella Valley
Caltrans is investing $7 million from the 2016 State Highway Operation Protection Program to fulfill a major obligation outlined in the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habit Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP).
Transportation officials said the amount is more than double what was initially expected to be included in the upcoming budget. The announcement was made on Thursday during a Coachella Valley Conservation Commission meeting.
“Caltrans strongly supports the objectives outlined in the Coachella Valley Multiple Species
Habitat Conservation Plan. By working together, Caltrans and leaders in the Coachella Valley
have been able to maintain and improve roads while preserving the desert’s natural environment,” said John Bulinski, director of Caltrans District 8. “This funding commitment also is a reflection of Caltrans’ new mission statement and our commitment to sustainability, partnership and accountability.”
The plan, which was approved in 2008, outlines a 75-year vision to conserve nearly 240,000 acres of land valley-wide and protect 27 plants and animals, including Peninsular bighorn sheep, desert tortoises and the Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard. The CVCC is ahead of schedule in terms of land acquisition, and has already secured more than 87,000 acres of core habitat and sand transport areas, officials said in the release.
Caltrans agreed to acquire or fund the acquisition of land as well as provide contributions for the monitoring, management and adaptive management.
According to the release, the 2016 State Highway Operation Protection Program (SHOPP) includes a listing of projects proposed for allocation from Fiscal Year 2016-17 through FY 2019-20. Caltrans District 8 had requested $3 million for the CVMSHCP, but after learning of money still available within the statewide budget, Director Bulinski and District 8 staff advocated for additional funding.
The Final Draft of the SHOPP budget will be presented to the California Transportation
Commission within a month and adopted by April 1.
