LANCASTER— The Lancaster City Council Tuesday night approved the purchase of 40 acres of wilderness immediately north of the Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodlands State Park. The purchase will help preserve Joshua trees and other native species, while allowing for continued development elsewhere in the region, according to city officials.
“This project forwards our ever-present objective to mitigate habitat loss caused by development throughout our region,” said Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris. “This is an ecologically critical area that is a priority in our preservation program. The City of Lancaster is proud to continue working with other local governments and organizations in selecting and managing property for purchase and use in mitigation efforts.”
In concert with conservation entity Transition Habitat, the City identified the 40-acre parcel as a habitat of high biological value. The space contains a high Joshua tree density in comparison to the surrounding area, and is adjacent to the Desert Woodlands State Park, which has the mission of preserving such plant life and accompanying fauna.
“We are pleased to assist the City through the management of this property,” said Jill Bays, Transition Habitat Director. “It is a tribute to the City of Lancaster that they choose to work with other entities in the selection and stewardship of this and other such parcels.”
The funding for the proposed project stems from a 2005 City of Lancaster ordinance establishing a Biological Impact Fee, to be paid by all developers of previously undeveloped land in the City.
The fund is solely for usage toward projects which help offset the loss of biodiversity. Developers outside of Lancaster have the option of paying into this fee in order to help mitigate environmental impacts, as is the case with this project.
(Information via press release from the city of Lancaster.)
FactQuery says
How many acres of natural are were bulldozed in order to purchase a measly 40 acres?
Who owned the land that was purchased? Was this some of the land captured by the city/mayor’s private corporations due to delinquent taxes?
That is one part of the Palmdale Power Plant that bums me out, it will be wiping out a dense desert forest area.
City of Angels Lady says
So developers can pay into this project and continue to destroy other areas?
“The fund is solely for usage toward projects which help offset the loss of biodiversity. Developers outside of Lancaster have the option of paying into this fee in order to help mitigate environmental impacts, as is the case with this project.”
Am I reading this correct?
To offset damage they are doing in one area they pay into this project, then continue to damage the first area?
Tell me I’m wrong, please.
A Richards says
I think it is great, as if they needed to do that anyways…. It makes a nice slice of how it used to be sorta….. Development is always going to happen, it is things like this that 100 years down the road the people will be more thankful as it will impact them more…. Right now, we can drive a little ways and see the same type of nature… In the many years ahead it might not be a possibility to drive out and see the real untouched deal……
seer says
sounds good barring natural disasters.
The City of Angels Is Everywhere says
good point.
City says
good point