FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The City of Desert Hot Springs and Mission Springs Water District were added to the CVMSHCP through a Major Amendment completed on August 24, 2016.
Yes. Now that the CVMSHCP is approved, the state and federal wildlife agencies have transferred their authority under the Endangered Species Act to participating local governments, thus providing local rather than state and federal control.
Yes. The CVMSHCP complies with Endangered Species Acts for land in the Coachella Valley under a single permit, a significant departure from the status quo process that requires permits for each individual property on which development is proposed.
No. The CVMSHCP does more than just protect the natural habitat and the plants and animals that call the Coachella Valley home. It protects scenic vistas and cultural resources, while safeguarding new areas for recreational use
By providing development certainty the CVMSHCP makes the desert region an attractive destination for new businesses that will bring new jobs and tax revenue to the Coachella Valley, bolstering the local economy. Additionally, the Plan provides opportunities for outdoor recreation and ecotourism, enhancing one of the fastest growing sectors of the tourism market.
The CVMSHCP conserves significant areas throughout the Coachella Valley, protecting the Valley’s scenic and open space qualities, allowing for the timely construction of roads and providing recreational amenities including additional trails. Open space enhances property values and supports the Coachella Valley’s tourism economy.
The CVMSHCP is funded through a combination of development impact fees, open space trust funds, and funding from some permittees for infrastructure projects. Currently there is about $50 million available for land acquisition and CVCC will be able to leverage an additional $50 million in partner agency dollars for acquisitions in the early years of Plan implementation.
No. Property is only purchased from willing sellers at fair market value, based on an appraisal using comparable sales of like properties.
Some development is permitted on private property in conservation areas. In addition, over 74% of the land the Plan proposed for inclusion in the conservation areas would be unaffected because it has already been set aside for protection. Within conservation areas, 95% of the land could develop to current general plan designation.
The CVMSHCP opens the door for timely construction of much needed roads, freeway interchanges, road widening, and bridge improvement projects to help prevent traffic gridlock in the Coachella Valley. The CVMSHCP allows 75 years of Caltrans projects to be permitted and constructed without costly delays and helps expedite construction of all currently planned road projects in the next 25 years. The CVMSHCP also provides for critical flood control and water infrastructure.