U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) announced on Sept. 15 that the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority (RCA) will receive an $8,971,625 grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This grant aims to assist in acquiring habitat land to support the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP).
According to a press release from Calvert's office, the funding for the grant comes from the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund, authorized by Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act and partially funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
The RCA oversees the implementation of the MSHCP, which has been in effect since 2004. This habitat conservation plan covers a 500,000-acre wildlife preserve, providing habitat for 146 species of plants and animals. The MSHCP requires a total of 500,000 acres for the wildlife preserve, with 350,000 acres being existing National Forest system land from Cleveland and San Bernardino National Forests, along with other state and federal land with reserve value. The remaining 150,000 acres are to be acquired, with one-third funded by state and federal governments, and two-thirds obtained from private landowners through the CRCA.
Despite the requirement for the federal government and the state to collectively acquire one-third of the necessary habitat land, they have not yet met this goal, according to the release. This grant represents a significant step towards fulfilling the conservation commitments outlined in the MSHCP and maintaining a balance between development and environmental preservation in Riverside County.
"The funding for Riverside County will help fulfill the federal commitment to conservation under the MSHCP and aligns with our goals of balancing development with preserving open spaces and recreation,” said Calvert in the release. “This significant investment in land conservation will create protected habitat areas and support population growth in accordance with the Endangered Species Act."
Calvert, a Riverside County lifelong resident, represents California's 41st District. He is known to give back to the community beyond his role in Congress by serving a number of community volunteer groups, such as the Corona Chamber of Commerce, the Corona Rotary, and the Corona-Norco Family YMCA.