Orange County is home to some of the most beautiful protected wilderness areas in the country. Preserving these spaces for future generations requires sustained investment.
Through a successful partnership with the environmental community and state and federal permitting agencies, OCTA administers the Environmental Mitigation Program (EMP). The EMP provides comprehensive mitigation to offset biological resources impacts in exchange for streamlining the permitting process for the Measure M freeway program. OCTA has acquired seven conservation properties totaling more than 1,300 acres and funded habitat restoration projects across the county.
A key component of this effort is a dedicated endowment to ensure the conservation properties are maintained to protect biological resources in perpetuity. Once fully established, the fund will provide a reliable, long-term source of support to maintain and manage these natural areas.