Why does the Toll Road alignment go through the Donna ONeill Conservancy?
The preferred alignment was adjusted to cross the western portion of the Donna ONeill Conservancy to avoid wetlands and protect wildlife movement. It avoids highly sensitive wetland areas at the confluence of the Blind and Gabino Canyons and minimizes impacts to Cristianitos Canyon. It is located close to existing development areas such as the Talega development and within areas approved for development in the Rancho Mission Viejo Ranch Plan, endorsed by several environmental organizations. It also maximizes wildlife movement to the east. Federal resource agencies view the Conservancy as no more sensitive or valuable than the land surrounding it, and the benefit of adjusting the alignment to avoid nearby wetlands areas outweighed the importance of avoiding the Conservancy.
