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Morro Bay

Use of Penalty Funds to Leverage Acquisition of Sensitive Dunes and Wetlands Habitat

Category:  Upland

Cost:  $900,000

Description:  Coordinated by a local non-profit corporation, Morro Estuary Greenbelt Alliance, and the Trust for Public Lands, along with over a dozen cooperating agencies and organizations including the MBNEP, monies were raised to purchase 15 acres of coastal dune scrub, a very rare habitat, along with an adjacent riparian corridor and wetlands. A number of special status species exist in this habitat, including two endemic animals (Morro Bay Kangaroo Rat and Shoulder band Snail) as well as the Southern Steelhead Trout. The work resulted in a "Coastal America Partnership Award", one of only a few nationwide in 2000.

The MBNEP was the recipient of penalty funds levied on a local utility company for violations of an NPDES permit. A portion of these funds was used to effect the purchase of this key property, leveraging the larger selling price. The property was transferred to the California Department of Parks and Recreation and added to the Morro Bay Wetlands Preserve. 

Outcome:   The protection of the land, plus the goodwill and cooperation fostered by the coordinated effort are clearly laudable.

Contact:  Michael Multari, 805-772-3834, mmultari@mbnep.org

Citation: Information not provided.