REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 8, 2021
FROM
TERRI RAHHAL, Director, Land Use Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Conservation Easement Agreement with Mitsubishi Cement Corporation
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve amendment to conservation easement agreement, Document No. 2013-0455691, submitted by Mitsubishi Cement Corporation for habitat mitigation lands required for expansion of the Cushenbury Mine in Lucerne Valley.
(Presenter: Heidi Duron, Planning Director, 387-4110)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Sufficient appropriation and revenue to complete this action have been included in the Land Use Services Planning Division 2020-21 budget. All costs of processing this application are paid by the applicant.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Approval of this item will accept an amendment to a conservation easement deed for habitat impacts associated with the Mitsubishi Cushenbury Mine. The Cushenbury Mine is located on the northern foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, south of Highway 18, in the community of Lucerne Valley. Certain sensitive plant and animal species are found in the vicinity, including Nelson's bighorn sheep and four plant species which are listed as threatened and endangered under the Federal Endangered Species Act. These carbonate endemic plants consist of three endangered plants and one threatened plant species.
On May 20, 2004, the Planning Commission approved a Mining Conditional Use Permit and certified a Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for an expansion of the Cushenbury Mine operated by the Mitsubishi Cement Corporation (MCC). The expansion of this limestone mine added the new West Pit...
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