Environmental Practice Helps Create 500,000-Acre Wildlife Reserve

Best Best & Krieger’s Environmental Law & Natural Resources Practice Group provides unparalleled experience and know-how in the initiation, formation, approval and implementation of regional and local Habitat Conservation Plans. Most recently, BB&K was instrumental in guiding to approval the nation’s largest HCP to date, the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan. BB&K has also been selected as counsel for implementation of the plan. Broadly supported by local, state and federal governments, developers and environmentalists, the Western Riverside County plan is a comprehensive, multi-jurisdictional Habitat Conservation Plan and Natural Communities Conservation Plan focusing on species and habitat in one of the most rapidly urbanizing regions in the United States. Encompassing nearly 1.26 million acres, the plan will maintain biological and ecological diversity, allow the County and 14 incorporated cities in the Plan Area to better manage local land-use decisions, minimize delay in construction of vital infrastructure, and maintain a strong economic climate, while simultaneously addressing the requirements of the State and Federal Endangered Species Acts. In addition to the implementation of the Western Riverside County Habitat Conservation plan, BB&K is currently assisting in the development of the 1.1 million acre Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (Eastern Riverside County). BB&K has also assisted in the creation of numerous species specific conservation plans including the Stephens’ Kangaroo Rat Habitat Conservation Plan (Riverside County) and project-level Delhi Sands Fly Habitat conservation plans (Riverside and San Bernardino Counties). For additional information, please contact Michelle Ouellette, Environmental & Natural Resouces Practice Group Leader.