Some believe that, according to the Mayan calendar, the world will end in 2012. If the apocalypse does not happen, some actions will need to be taken on the San Bruno Mountain Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) in 2013. The Incidental Take Permit, first in the nation, expires after 30 years. Michael Murphy, has been an attorney for San Mateo County during this whole period, and was involved in the formation of the HCP. He recently issued his legal opinion on what the HCP Managers and Fish & Wildlife Service will need to consider in 2013 and bey0nd. The bottom line is that the HCP will continue, presumably with increased funding from the final phase of the Northeast Ridge development. The County will need to apply for a new Incidental Take Permit in order to continue habitat mitigation and restoration activities. Any future development proposals on the mountain would presumably require a separate take permit.
I will have the details on Michael Murphy’s memo and some other comments in an upcoming post.
Callippe Silverspot butterfly/Credit: USFWS