Contra Costa County
The Moraga Open Space Ordinance (MOSO), an initiative to preserve open space and protect ridgelines in the the Town of Moraga, and the subsequent re-zoning of substantial portions of the Town as open space has resulted in “MOSO” and “non-MOSO” open spaces distributed throughout Moraga and bordering the Cities of Lafayette and Orinda, as well as unincorporated portions of Contra Costa County. The MOSO and non-MOSO lands are ecologically diverse and of significant habitat value. These lands comprise important regional watershed areas and provide nesting and foraging corridors for a variety of wildlife, including mountain lions, grey foxes, bobcats, deer, dozens of species of birds, as well as special-status raptors such as peregrine falcons, sharp-shinned hawks, Cooper’s hawks, and white-tailed kites. Furthermore, Indian Creek, which flows through MOSO and non-MOSO open space, is a spawning stream for the only know genetically pure rainbow trout population in California, and many of the areas are habitat for the red-legged frog and Alameda whipsnake, both threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act.
The MOSO and non-MOSO open spaces will enhance and preserve habitat linkages, wildlife corridors, and recreational trails by connecting important regional open space areas, including the Lafayette Reservoir watershed, Huckleberry Preserve, Sibley Regional Park, Upper San Leandro Reservoir, Las Trampas Regional Wilderness, and Redwood Regional Park. The MOSO and non-MOSO area ridgelines offer significant scenic vistas and are important in terms of visual prominence within the community and the region.
For more information about this area, please contact:
Lori Salamack
Town of Moraga
Planning Director
lsalamack@moraga.ca.us
925-376-5202
http://moraga.ca.us/production/planning.php?mn=5&sm=5-2
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