MSHCP Wildlife Corridors

Preserving our open space heritage • Protecting our economy • Building our future MSHCP Wildlife Corridors

Conservation planning for the WRC MSHCP is based on Core Reserves and the connections between those Reserve called Linkages

Existing Core Reserves and Extensions (20) New Core Reserves (7) New and Existing Non-Contiguous Habitat Blocks (10) Existing and Proposed Linkages (19) Existing and Proposed Constrained Linkages (28)

Linkage - A connection between Core Areas with adequate size, configuration and vegetation characteristics to generally provide for “Live-In” Habitat and/or provide for genetic flow for identified Planning Species. Constrained Linkage - A constricted connection expected to provide for movement of identified Planning Species between Core Areas, where options for assembly of the connection are limited due to existing patterns of use. MSHCP Wildlife Corridors

Mountain Lions and the MSHCP The Plan identifies mountain lion as a planning species in the following Cores and Linkages:

Existing Cores A, B, C, F, G, I, J, K, L and M Proposed Cores 3, 4, 6 and 7 Existing Linkage A Proposed Linkage 1, 5, 9, 10, 11, 15, 17, and 18 Proposed Constrained Linkage 1, 2, 5, 10, 11, 14 The following Cores are considered “live in” Cores for mountain lion: Existing Core B – Cleveland National Forest Existing Core G – Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve Existing Core K – San Bernardino National Forest Existing Core L – Beauty Mountain Existing Core M – Agua Tibia Mountains Existing Linkage A – BLM land east of Rainbow Creek Proposed Core 3 – Badlands/ Potrero

MSHCP Wildlife Corridors

Linkages Considered Critical for Mountain Lion Movement:

Proposed Constrained Linkage 1 and 2 Will provide a connection between the Cleveland Nation Forest and State Park under Highway 91 Proposed Linkage 1 and Constrained Linkage 5 Will provide a connection between the Cleveland Nation Forest and Lake Mathews/Estelle Mtn under I-15 Proposed Linkage 9 Will provide a connection between the Cleveland National Forest and the Proposed Constrained Linkage 14 Will provide a connection between the and the Palomar Mountains using potentially both Temecula and Pechanga Creeks as well as another non-drainage crossing under I-15 farther south

MSHCP Wildlife Corridors

Proposed Constrained Linkage 16 (CL 16) CL 16 is meant to provide a connection between Proposed Core 2 across I-215 to Linkage 8 CL 16 was constrained when the plan was being developed and has become more constrained due both subsequent and approved development. The City of Murrieta has important development and public works projects that affect the location and function of CL 16. One of those projects is the improvement of Meadowlark Road between Baxter Road and Keller Road which crosses CL 16. Planning species for CL 16 are coastal gnatcatcher, quino checkerspot butterfly and . The RCA has been working with the City of Murrieta to identify the primary crossing location and include measures that improve it’s function (fencing, shielded lighting etc). CL 16 is not meant to accommodate either mountain lions or mule deer. The culvert crossings proposed under Meadowlark, 42”, 54” and a 10’x12’, will be sufficient for smaller species such as bobcat.