San Felipe Valley Wildlife Area, Expansion 8 (Nelson)

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is planning to acquire approximately 114 acres of land near Oak Grove in San Diego County to expand the San Felipe Valley Wildlife Area, specifically designated as Expansion 8 under the Nelson project. This acquisition is aimed at conserving critical chapparal and coastal sage scrub habitats that support the coastal California gnatcatcher and Stephens’ kangaroo rat, both sensitive species protected under state and federal environmental regulations. The land will be integrated into an existing wildlife area managed by CDFW to enhance habitat connectivity and ecological resilience in the region. The project is tracked under WCB Project Tracker ID 2024084 and is facilitated by the Wildlife Conservation Board, which is overseeing the funding and procedural steps necessary for the purchase. The procurement is currently listed as a forecast with a posted date of May 29, 2026, indicating that formal solicitation may follow in the coming months. There is no solicitation number or NAICS code assigned yet, and no set-aside type has been designated, suggesting this is still in the planning and evaluation phase. Primary point of contact for inquiries is John Walsh, Deputy Executive Director at the Wildlife Conservation Board, reachable via phone or email. Further details and updates can be accessed through the project’s official link on the CEQA Net database, which will likely include environmental assessments and public comment opportunities prior to final approval.