Habitat Conservation Plan to Save Endangered Species in San Bruno Mountain Free Essay Example, 1000 words

The establishment of the San Bruno Mountain Habitat Conservation Plan was surrounded by several controversies especially based on the involvement of many parties. The San Mateo County supervisor Bacciocco spearheaded the negotiation process by bringing the parties together. However due to the varied interest, the challenge was enormous. Before the negotiations, environmentalists had formed a committee that would see the proposed developments were halted. This committee was made up of the Loma Prieta, Committee for Green Foothills (CGF) and the National Audubon Society. Other interested parties comprised of the major developer, Vasitacion Associates who had brought their bulldozers ready for the project. On the other hand, the USFWS were interested in having the endangered species within the San Bruno Mountains protected. Despite the hurdles in reaching the agreement, it came into force. Only 10% of the habitat was approved for development, the rest was converted to city-owned parkland. Though the entire remaining zone is not all occupied by butterflies, it contains lupine and gorse, which are used by butterflies as food. The HCP provides for minimal disturbance to the butterflies by ensuring that grading and construction is restricted. We will write a custom essay sample on Habitat Conservation Plan to Save Endangered Species in San Bruno Mountain or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now Though the enhancement of the habitat is provided in the HCP, very little success has been evident. Under the implementation by the Thomas Reid associates, the HCP requires that additional research be implemented as well as monitoring be done. The organization is obliged to submit annual monitoring reports to the USFWS. However, the challenge arises from the non-specificity of the provision of the HCP in that it does not provide for the type of research that ought to be conducted neither does it provide for the specific enhancement strategies that ought to be developed. The implementation of the San Bruno HCP has faced successes and challenges alike. The initial agreement has been altered as a result of questions being raised concerning the ecological viability of the plan.