HEARING IS TOMORROW WEDS SEPT 7th - Help save and protect Banning Ranch-400 acres coastal wetlands and bluffs in Orange County, California from development and to keep them in their natural state. Protect nature, native plants, and wild life at the site.
BANNING RANCH PETITION I am signing this petition to help save and protect Banning Ranch coastal wetlands and bluffs in Orange County, California from development and to keep them in their natural state. It follows, I also do not support any "restoration" plans that will in any way harm current nature, native plants, or wild life at the site. Banning Ranch is a 400 acre parcel of coastal bluffs and adjacent wetlands located in the vicinity of West Newport Beach, California, close to where the Santa Ana River enters the Pacific Ocean. Today, what remains of Banning Ranch is just 400 acres of wetlands, coastal bluffs, and mesa situated north of Pacific Coast Highway between the Santa Ana River and Superior Ave. Remarkably, the property has escaped the high-density development that is characteristic of most of Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Huntington Beach – partly because of its status as a working oil field. Today Banning Ranch is the largest privately owned parcel of open space in the West Newport Beach area, and is home to southern coastal bluff scrub and vernal pool habitats, as well as protected species such the California gnatcatcher, coastal cactus wren, California least tern, Belding’s savannah sparrow and fairy shrimp. Banning Ranch also serves as a link between publicly owned open spaces on the South (Sunset Ridge Park), West (Army Corp of Engineers and restored wetlands which include Semeniuk Slough) and North (Talbert Nature Preserve). Preserving this land from development will: -Protect this delicate ecosystem that is home to so many native plants and animals. -Provide needed open space for one of Orange County’s most densely populated areas. -Provide nature inspired recreation alternatives for residents. -Provide a home for endangered species and for migrating and wintering birds. -Provide a local laboratory and observation area for schools, the public and scientists. -Provide a valuable link between different parts of the proposed 1,000 acre Orange Coast River Park. In an era where nearly all remaining coastal open space in Orange County and the entire state of California is being developed, Banning Ranch is truly a gem worth preserving. Thank you.
