Vegetation Removal Permit / PL25-0181

The project involves the issuance of a Vegetation Removal Permit for the removal of occupied Coastal Sage Scrub at 11 Stonepointe Drive in Escondido, California, under Permit Number PL25-0181. The site was previously approved under a 2006 permit that relied on a “de-minimus” exemption under a Draft Subarea Plan, which allowed for incidental take of up to 5% of unoccupied coastal sage scrub within the subregion. That exemption expired, and subsequent biological evaluation confirmed the presence of a lone California Gnatcatcher, triggering federal protections under the Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined the project qualifies as a “no take” scenario, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife concurred with no additional concerns beyond requiring a pre-construction survey. The permit is conditioned on strict adherence to environmental protections, including limiting vegetation removal to no more than 0.54 acres of coastal sage scrub and disturbing no more than 20% of gnatcatcher habitat area, all within a fenced boundary. The applicant must purchase 0.54 acres of habitat mitigation credits from Red Mountain Bank and submit a detailed landscaping plan using only native, non-invasive species approved by wildlife agencies, with a strict prohibition on invasive plants such as pampas grass, ice plant, and English ivy. All work must occur during daylight hours, and pets are prohibited on-site to prevent predator attraction. The contractor, Marrokal Design & Remodeling, LLC, is required to conduct bi-weekly biological monitoring throughout construction and submit detailed reports with photographic documentation to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the City of Escondido. A cash security deposit between $5,000 and $50,000 is mandatory to cover potential mitigation or cleanup costs in the event of non-compliance. Pre-construction surveys must be completed and approved by wildlife agencies within 30 days of permit issuance, and all construction must remain entirely within the defined project footprint. Work must cease immediately if protected species are encountered or if environmental conditions are violated. Upon completion, final deliverables including as-built drawings, habitat impact overlays, and photographic evidence must be submitted within 60 days. The permit is valid for 12 months from issuance, with a potential 12-month extension available upon written request. All activities are governed by local city standards, CEQA, and the California Endangered Species Act, with oversight conducted by