As California's population and economy continue to grow, the challenge will be to maintain biodiversity while providing for economic development. CalMat's Cajon Creek Project serves as a model to meet this challenge. This project preserves and manages an approximately 558-hectare Habitat Conservation Management Area for 24 sensitive species. The establishment of the Habitat Conservation Management Area provides mitigation for adjacent mining and industrial developments which will create 11,000 new jobs and provide construction materials to build and maintain homes, schools, hospitals, roads and businesses. In addition, the project established a 610-acre mitigation bank for sensitive species. The management plan includes a major Riversidian alluvial fan sage scrub revegetation effort and was recently modified to add management activities for the San Bernardino kangaroo rat (Dipodomys merriami parvus) listed as endangered in 1998. The management efforts to protect the sensitive resources of the 6- mile habitat corridor have been successful. Success in establishing and managing the property has been due to dedicated and cooperative efforts of the company and the responsible public agencies. Thoughtful attention to public policy and community concerns combined with reliance on scientific information and protocols provided the common ground needed for the parties to work together. Together, CalMat and the wildlife agencies were able to finalize an agreement that provides public benefit by protecting the environment and preserving economic opportunity.
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