The document summarizes the Transportation Corridor Agencies' environmental initiatives over the past 25 years. Some key efforts include establishing over 2,000 acres of protected habitat and open space, contributing funding and land to establish the Natural Communities Conservation Plan which protects over 37,000 acres, restoring coastal sage scrub habitat on a closed landfill to support endangered species, restoring a drainage ditch into thriving wetlands providing habitat for protected species, monitoring wildlife using motion cameras and GPS trackers to improve undercrossings and ensure safe passage, and constructing undercrossings under the toll roads to allow wildlife to cross without interruption of their natural habitat corridors.

1. our Environmental Initiatives
TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR AGENCIES
our Environmental Initiatives
TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR AGENCIES

3. Friends,
In November 2016, the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) and the Save San Onofre Coalition, comprised of a dozen national and local environmental
organizations, announced a groundbreaking settlement agreement that permanently preserves sensitive lands and cultural resources within the San Mateo Creek
watershed, including San Onofre State Beach, the Richard and Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy, and Trestles.The agreement also provides the TCA with an
opportunity to consider a number of transportation solutions that will improve regional mobility along the Interstate 5 corridor and relieve traffic congestion
in the South Orange County.
Although difficult, this undertaking highlights it is possible to both preserve irreplaceable cultural, ecological and environmental resources and improve mobility.
We hope this innovative and monumental achievement will serve as a model for other groups seeking to balance protecting the environment with improving
mobility in the pursuit of enhancing the quality of life throughout communities in the U.S.
Elizabeth Goldstein
President
California State Parks Foundation
Stefanie Sekich-Quinn
Coastal Preservation Manager
Surfrider Foundation
Damon Nagami
Director
Southern California Ecosystems Project
Natural Resources Defense Council
Dan Silver
Executive Director
Endangered Habitats League

5. 1
Table of contents
INTRODUCTION 4
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS 6
SPECIES & SITES 13
ENVIRONMENTALTIMELINE 20
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS 26
CLOSING 28

6. 2
Ross Chun, Chairman
San Joaquin Hills
Transportation Corridor Agency
“Two and a half decades of TCA’s environmental initiatives have
benefited Orange County’s air, water, land and wildlife. From wildlife
undercrossings to improved and self-sustaining habitat for threatened
species to stormwater management practices that reduce runoff,TCA’s
commitment to sustainable transportation solutions is visible through its
numerous, diverse programs and projects.With project timeframes that
stretch into perpetuity,TCA is protecting Orange County’s open space
for future generations.”
Craig Young, Chairman
Foothill/Eastern
Transportation Corridor Agency
“Responsible stewardship is at the heart of TCA’s environmental
initiatives and its support as a founding partner of the Natural
Communities Coalition of Orange County. TCA provided significant
funding to The Natural Communities Coalition of Orange County’s
endowment of $10 million to ensure the long-term management of
the 37,000 acres set aside as open space. It’s a smart investment in
preserving the scenic beauty and healthy ecosystems of Orange County
while building sustainable transportation solutions.”

7. 3

8. Introduction
The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) do more than
operate The Toll Roads. For 25 years, we have been committed
to balancing construction and operations with the preservation of
open space and wildlife habitat in Orange County, California.
We haven’t merely balanced the impacts.We have replanted native
vegetation; restored habitats for threatened species; conducted
scientific studies; removed invasive and non-native plants; and
improved waterways and creeks.
This report highlights our longtime commitment to the environment
and the high standards we have set in fulfilling a special vision.
4

9. In the 1970s, studies showed the need for new roads to serve Orange County’s growing population. By 1981, the future State Routes 73, 133, 241 and 261 were
roughly sketched onto county road plans as freeways – but due to a lack of state funding they eventually had to be planned and built as toll roads.
TheTransportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) were created as two joint powers authorities in 1985 to plan, construct and operateTheToll Roads. Very shortly
after our creation,environmental work and transportation planning got underway. We began working on the necessary reports outlining potential environmental
impacts and the mitigation and restoration needed to move forward with construction.
By 1990, we were working with the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, California Coastal
Commission,California Department of Fish andWildlife and the Federal Highway Administration to secure environmental approvals and permits for construction.
All of the roads’ Environmental Impact Reports exceeded regulatory expectations and were certified by all resource agencies.
Today, TCA protects the natural resources of more than 2,000 acres of habitat and open space throughout Orange County. In partnership with local, state and
federal organizations, we are deeply committed to being a good steward of the land we have set aside as permanent open space and, thus, a contributor to
the greater effort to conserve healthy, functioning ecosystems. Our programs and projects are grounded in science and adaptive management, and benefit the
area’s quality of air, water, land and wildlife.
Partnering to protect Orange County’s fragile habitats and wildlife is our highest priority.
25 years of restoration and revitalization
5

10. Program highlights
6

11. Natural Community
Conservation Plan:
The Birth Of A Nature
Reserve
The Orange County Central/Coastal Natural Communities
Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan (NCCP/HCP) was
born from an uncommon alliance between private landowners,
environmental organizations and federal, state and local
governments that created a connected network of permanent
open spaces across Orange County while allowing for continued
economic growth and development.
The idea of creating multi-species habitats — instead of focusing
on one plant or animal species at a time — broke new ground
and developed a large-scale plan to protect 39 individual
species. Ultimately, it launched a new approach for coordinating
development and habitat preservation.
We were an early partner and major financial contributor to the
NCCP/HCP effort — contributing mitigation sites and providing
nearly $7 million of the $10 million endowment for ongoing
management. We continue our regional participation through
ongoing financial support and membership on the organization’s
Board of Directors.
Today, the land set aside under the NCCP/HCP stretches over
nearly 40,000 acres from Orange County’s coast to the Cleveland
National Forest and shelters seven federally protected species and
more than 30 sensitive species.The coastal sage scrub found on half
of the NCCP/HCP land represents one of the rarest ecosystems in
the world – often compared to the Amazon, Madagascar and the
eastern Himalayas for its breadth of biodiversity and the threat it
once faced.
7

12. Coyote Canyon:
The First Successful Native
Habitat Restoration On A
Closed Landfill
When it closed in 1990, the Coyote Canyon Landfill’s closure plan
was the first in the nation to include specifications to create habitat
for a federally-listed bird species, the coastal California gnatcatcher.
We planted 122 acres of coastal sage scrub habitat on the closed
landfill — an important location for habitat restoration to maintain
a linkage for the coastal California gnatcatcher and other species
between the San Joaquin Hills and Upper Newport Bay.
It was the first time native habitat for an endangered species was
planted on a closed landfill. Twenty years after its closure, the
Coyote Canyon Landfill’s coastal sage scrub habitat is self-sustaining
and successfully supports coastal California gnatcatchers.
8

13. Bonita Creek:
From Drainage Ditch To
Thriving Wetlands
Near the 73 Toll Road, riparian woodland that we preserved and
restored with wetlands and coastal sage scrub provides breeding
habitat for the federally protected least Bell’s vireo and coastal
California gnatcatcher. Aromatic sagebrush, mulefat, cottonwood
and other native plants cover most of the area. Red-winged
blackbirds build their nests from cattails and sedges near the
wetland’s edge.
The Bonita Creek site is a thriving wetland and coastal sage scrub
community that serves as a major wildlife corridor from Upper
Newport Bay to the San Joaquin Hills. We began work on the site
in 1995, restoring it from a narrow concrete channel to a willow
woodland and wetland marsh now home to more than 70 species
of birds. Invertebrates, small mammals and larger mammals such as
coyote, bobcat and mountain lions also use the habitats.
Bonita Creek’s revived ecosystem has won federal acclaim and
inspired an interactive website, BonitaCreekClassroom.com, which
educates students about water quality, habitat conservation and
local wildlife. Free workshops on the program have been offered
to local science teachers.
9

14. 10
Wildlife Surveillance
and Tracking:
Keeping Our Eyes On The
Road And On Wildlife
The habitat surroundingTheToll Roads is monitored by strategically
placed motion-sensing cameras to keep an eye on wildlife and
document how they use our undercrossings. Day and night, animal
activity, behaviors and movement patterns are observed to make
sure they are healthy and safe. The camera footage also helps us
determine if any improvements are needed.
To aid in tracking and observation, wildlife experts have placed
special, temporary GPS collars on several mountain lions over the
years. While they are sedated for collar placement, the mountain
lions undergo a brief physical exam to check their health and their
blood is analyzed to measure genetic diversity. GPS collars are
designed to fall off the mountain lion after one to two years of
tracking.
Based on tracking information, fencing and undercrossings
improvements are made to help wildlife move safely under and
aroundTheToll Roads to and from their natural habitat.

15. Wildlife
Undercrossing
11
Undercrossings:
Drivers Cross Over,
Animals Cross Under
BeforeTheToll Roads were built, the natural travel patterns of local
wildlife were studied.Twenty five years ago, deer were monitored
and tracked in the open spaces of Orange County to determine
the paths they used the most.
When The Toll Roads were constructed, wildlife undercrossings
were built at the locations where animals travel the most.Wildlife
use the undercrossings to move safely and quickly from point A to
point B.
Even though the undercrossings were built based on the travel
patterns of deer, every day mountain lions and other wildlife use
them too. One of the busiest wildlife undercrossings in Southern
California is under the 241Toll Road.

16. 12
To prevent mountain lions and other wildlife from entering The
Toll Roads, we asked the University of California, Davis’ Wildlife
Health Center to study our existing wildlife safety fencing and
undercrossings and suggest improvements to increase safety for
drivers and wildlife – particularly mountain lions.
Based on the UC Davis’ findings, new fencing was installed along
the most critical portions of the 241 Toll Road to funnel animals
away from the roadway to undercrossings for safe passage. The
fence also includes “jump-out ramps” for animals to safely escape if
they accidentally get on the roadway.
This new 241Toll RoadWildlife Safety Protection Fence is an award-
winning industry model, setting an example for transportation
projects across the nation. Since its installation, no mountain lions
have been killed by vehicles on or near the road.
241 Toll Road Wildlife Safety
Protection Fence:
Keeping Drivers and Mountain
Lions Separate and Safe

17. SPECIES & Sites
13

18. Coastal California
Gnatcatcher
(Polioptila californica)
protected species
Coastal Cactus Wren
(Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus)
A small blue-grey songbird, the coastal California gnatcatcher lives
in coastal sage scrub habitat. It is a federally threatened species
whose preservation has guided much of TCA’s conservation
planning. Gnatcatcher sightings are great news for an ecosystem’s
health.The gnatcatcher is like the proverbial canary in a coalmine—
its survival and breeding is a way to measure the success of an
environmental restoration project.
About eight inches long, the coastal cactus wren has a spotted
white belly and speckled brown feathers.The cactus wren, as you
might deduce from its name, makes its home in cacti like prickly
pear and cholla – the spinier, the better. Nests built within the
dense bristles and thorns protect its young from predators. The
California Department of Fish and Wildlife has listed the bird as a
species of special concern.
TCA’s habitat restoration activities have benefited many readily
identifiable target species.These are rare and unique species that
can be sensitive to human impacts and/or enjoy special legal status.
They often have interesting distributions near California’s coasts
and some are approaching their biogeographic limits within the
state.
The following species have benefited the most from our habitat
restoration activities.
14

19. Least Bell's Vireo
(Vireo bellii pusillus)
The least Bell’s vireo is a small bird with short, rounded wings
and a short, straight bill that breeds entirely within California and
northern Baja California. Its feathers are mostly gray above and
pale below.This is a common protective marking in birds because,
when seen from below, they blend in with the clouds and, when
seen from above, they blend in with groundcover.The least Bell’s
vireo is listed as a state and federal endangered species.
Other species that have
benefited from our
environmental work:
• Arboreal salamander
• Black-bellied slender salamander
• California horned lark
• Catalina mariposa lily
• Coastal rosy boa
• Coronado skink
• Coulter’s matilija poppy
• Foothill mariposa lily
• Golden eagle
• Heart-leaved pitcher sage
• Laguna Beach dudleya
• Nuttall’s scrub oak
• Pacific pocket mouse
• Peregrine falcon
• Prairie falcon
• Riverside fairy shrimp
• Rough-legged hawk
• San Bernardino
ring-necked snake
• San Diego fairy shrimp
• Santa Monica Mountains
dudleya
• Small-flowered
mountain mahogany
•Tecate cypress
15

20. Mitigation locations
Bonita Creek and Reservoir Mitigation Site:
Formerly a narrow concrete channel, Bonita Creek has been
restored to a thriving wetland and coastal sage scrub community
that serves as a major wildlife corridor from the San Joaquin
Hills to Upper Newport Bay in Newport Beach. The site’s
natural habitat was re-established so successfully that seven
pairs of coastal California gnatcatchers gave birth to 32 chicks
in the area by the end of the monitoring period in 2001. Bonita
Creek’s revived ecosystem has won federal acclaim; inspired an
interactive website that educates students about water quality,
habitat conservation and local wildlife; and was the topic of free
workshops offered to local science teachers.
Cañada Gobernadora Ecological Restoration Area:
Cañada Gobernadora sits in a broad valley in the foothills of
the Santa Ana Mountains and is near a tributary to the San Juan
Creek.To restore the former farmland’s riparian woodland habitat,
we planted thousands of willow trees and hundreds of oak and
sycamore trees. The site is home to several species of wildlife,
including tree frogs, deer, coyotes and bobcats.
Coyote Canyon Mitigation Site:
Just four years after this mid-century landfill closed, we began
planting buckwheat, sage and other native plants at the site. Nest
monitoring and other studies have documented the increase
of the federally-listed coastal California gnatcatcher population
utilizing the restored habitat. By the end of the official monitoring
period in 2000, proof of successful restoration was demonstrated
by 10 pairs of breeding gnatcatchers having 53 chicks, with an
additional two single males sighted in the area.
16

21. PLAZA
UPPER CHIQUITA
CANYON
1,182 ACRES
CANYON
BONITA CREEK
21.1 ACRES
UCI ECOLOGY
RESERVE
BONITA RESERVOIR
STRAWBERRY
FARMS
SLOPES
118 ACRES
118 ACRES
31.2 ACRES
6 ACRES
23.2 ACRES
50 ACRES
214 ACRES
170 ACRES
SLOPES
7.2 ACRES
6 ACRES
17

22. Limestone Canyon Mitigation Site:
Formerly a sand and gravel mine located on the east side of
Limestone Regional Park, Limestone Canyon is surrounded
by rolling hills and complements the existing wild and iconic
beauty of the adjacent park while providing seamless wildlife use.
Numerous varieties of butterflies, reptiles, birds and mammals
thrive in the restored wetlands
Live Oak Plaza Conservation Area:
East of the 241 Toll Road at El Toro Road and Live Oak Canyon,
Live Oak Plaza is unincorporated land that contains valuable
oak woodlands, riparian and coastal sage scrub habitat for the
threatened coastal California gnatcatcher and the endangered
Riverside fairy shrimp. The open space had been zoned for
commercial, residential and gas station development but now
provides natural wildlife movement corridors to and from the
Cleveland National Forest.
San Diego Creek Salt Water Marsh Mitigation Site:
Adjacent to Upper Newport Bay,the San Diego Creek SaltWater
Marsh provides significant habitat for more than 68 species of
birds — including grebes, herons, egrets and the endangered
least tern.In partnership with the Natural Communities Coalition
Plan (NCCP) and University of California, Irvine (UCI),TCA was
awarded a grant for restoring and enhancing habitat at this site
for the coastal cactus wren, a small bird whose local population
has declined by more than 80 percent since the mid-1990s.The
site spans from the saltwater marsh to Coyote Canyon to UCI
and is a key water source for Upper Newport Bay.
Siphon Reservoir Mitigation Site:
Located northeast of Irvine, Siphone Reservoir is home to
buckwheat, sage and other dense scrub that provide breeding
habitat for the coastal California gnatcatcher. In 2010, the Irvine
Ranch Water District took permanent ownership of the site and
maintains the habitat today.
18

23. Slopes of the 73 and 241 Toll Roads:
We carefully planned the restoration of these native habitat
slopes to ensure they complemented the existing open space
areas. Coastal sage scrub and chaparral were planted to provide
habitat for many wildlife species native to Orange County.Coastal
California gnatcatchers have been documented nesting and
raising their young in the habitat and wildlife undercrossings allow
animals access to open space on either side of the roads. Nearly
85 percent of the slopes require no irrigation and most of the
remaining 15 percent is irrigated with recycled water. The slopes
we created at Glenwood Drive extend south of the Laguna
Coast Wilderness Park into Aliso Viejo, providing natural habitat
for numerous species, including the coastal California gnatcatcher.
Strawberry Farms Restoration Site:
Located in Irvine, we have restored and enhanced coastal sage
scrub, cactus scrub and native perennial grassland at Strawberry
Farms, which provides habitat for several species, including the
coastal California gnatcatcher and coastal cactus wren.
University of California, Irvine Ecological Reserve:
We funded the implementation of a coastal sage scrub restoration
project on the UCI campus within its open space preserve.This
area is home to several pairs of coastal California gnatcatchers
and supports numerous other birds, reptiles and amphibians.
Upper Chiquita Canyon Conservation Area:
The restored habitat at Upper Chiquita Canyon supports
important populations of coastal California gnatcatchers and
coastal cactus wrens, and provides valuable connectivity for
wildlife movement. Several families of deer are spotted running
throughout this site on any day. TCA saved this site from
residential and golf course development.
19

24. Environmental
timeline
20

25. 21

26. our environmental commitment: 1990s
Late
1980’s 1990
1993
1994
Landscape architects began
creating renderings of TCA’s
proposed environmental
mitigation sites by hand.Today
that work is done with computer
simulations.
Biologists conducted Coastal
California Gnatcatcher Presence/
Absence Surveys to determine
the bird’s presence whereThe
Toll Roads would be built.TCA’s
mitigation plan for the threatened
species has included creating
hundreds of acres of habitat in
Orange County.
TCA helped form the Natural Communities Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan
(NCCP/HCP) to set aside prime natural habitat and permanent open space in Orange County.
Restoration work began at the former Coyote Canyon Landfill. Coyote Canyon was the first
closed landfill in the U.S. to be successfully converted to habitat for a federally listed bird species,
the coastal California gnatcatcher.
MacArthur Boulevard was raised onto a bridge to re-establish the creek in Bonita Canyon. Once
a narrow concrete channel,TCA restored the creek to a thriving wetland and coastal sage scrub
community that serves as a major wildlife corridor.
TCA’s Environmental
Planning Department
was formed to lead all
environmental initiatives.
Construction of the 241Toll
Road began.
Construction of the 73Toll Road began.
A 3.2-mile portion of the 241Toll Road opened to drivers.
The Cañada Gobernadora Mitigation Site was established. With
approximately 7,800 willow, oak and sycamore trees planted, the site has
become home to several species of wildlife — including tree frogs, deer,
coyotes and bobcats.
22

27. The 16-mile 73Toll Road opened to drivers.
The NCCP/HCP established 37,000 acres of open space – including most of TCA’s mitigation sites.
As a participating landowner, TCA contributed 67 percent of the endowment to manage the land.
Restoration work began at the San Diego Creek Salt Water Marsh Mitigation Site. More than 47
species of birds including the endangered least tern have been sighted using the area as habitat.
Restoration work began at the Upper Chiquita Canyon Conservation Area.The restored habitat
supports important populations of the coastal California gnatcatcher and coastal cactus wren.
Several families of deer call the site home.
1995
1996
1997 1998
1999
Construction of the 133
and 261Toll Roads began. The 133 and a portion
of the 241Toll Road
opened to drivers.
The 261 and the
remaining portion
of the 241Toll Road
opened to drivers.
Restoration work began at the Siphon Reservoir Mitigation Site.
TCA successfully returned the citrus grove to its natural habitat.
The location of the 133Toll Road/241Toll Road connector was moved
south to avoid coastal sage scrub – which is habitat for the coastal California
gnatcatcher.
For the first time, the coastal sage scrub landscape restored at the Coyote
Canyon Landfill was home to a pair of breeding California gnatcatchers.
The bird continues to breed at the site.
Near the 241Toll Road construction site, aTCA biologist rescued a baby
golden eagle that was found lost and weak from starvation in a temporary
reservoir. The eagle was nursed to health and released back into the wild.
23

28. 2000
2005 2010
TCA’s SpringTours
premiered and were held
for 14 consecutive years.
Thousands of people
enjoyed the free hikes guided
through open space that was
protected with construction
ofTheToll Roads.
TCA, the Natural Communities
Coalition and UCI worked
in partnership to successfully
implement a grant to restore
and enhance habitat for the
cactus wren.
The Live Oak Plaza
Mitigation Site was
purchased, preserving it as
open space and a wildlife
connection to the Cleveland
National Forest.The land
contains valuable habitat
for the threatened coastal
California gnatcatcher and
endangered Riverside fairy
shrimp.
our environmental commitment: 2000s
24

29. 2012 2014 2015
2013
Construction began on a state of the art fence
along the 241Toll Road to protect wildlife
and drivers from collisions. The project was
the result of a joint study with University of
California, Davis focusing on the movement
and health of the area’s wildlife, including
mountain lions.
Habitat restoration
work began at the
Strawberry Farms
Mitigation Site — an
important wildlife
linkage to assist in
the recovery of the
cactus wren.
TCA, County of Orange,
City of Newport Beach and
other partners celebrated
20 years of environmental
innovation and success at
the Coyote Canyon Landfill.
The site is entirely self-
sustaining and continues to
support coastal California
gnatcatchers.
The award-winning
241Toll Road Wildlife
Protection Fence was
completed and around-
the-clock monitoring for
effectiveness began.
25

30. Environmental Awards
Environmental Excellence Award
Federal Highway Administration
Focused Issue Planning Award
American Planning Association - Orange Section
Award of Merit
American Planning Association California Chapter
Toll Innovation Award
International Bridge,Tunnel andTurnpike Association
InnovativeTransportation Solutions Award
Women’sTransportation Seminar Orange County
Toll Excellence Award in Social Responsibility
International Bridge,Tunnel andTurnpike Association
26

31. 27

32. Closing
28
The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) have been a leader and innovator in achieving its
mission to improve regional mobility in Orange County, California. We have balanced that mission
with our commitment to establishing restored habitat as permanent open space in Orange County.
Twenty years ago, TCA was a leading partner in establishing the Orange County Central-Coastal
Natural Communities Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan (NCCP/HCP) to create a
connected network of permanent open space across Orange County.This cooperative partnership
represented a new approach for establishing large blocks of connected open space serving as multi-
species habitat.
Through creative bridge construction,TCA has been able to innovatively provide wildlife crossings as
well as create creek and wetland habitat.
• Wildlife migration corridors have been protected by bridging across naturally occurring
creeks, canyons and arroyos.
• Bonita Creek was a narrow concrete ditch that was restored to a willow woodland
and wetland marsh.
Thinking outside the box,TCA pursued a plan to utilize the recently closed Coyote Canyon Landfill
as a mitigation area. Despite healthy skepticism, the Coyote Canyon Mitigation Site is thriving and has
become one of the most important breeding areas for the coastal California gnatcatcher population.
As a model for transportation projects, TCA has recently installed a state-of-the-science wildlife
safety fence along the 241Toll Road between the 91 Freeway and the 261Toll Road to funnel animals
away from the roadway to existing wildlife undercrossings for safer passage.
Today, as we look forward to further improving regional mobility through the completion ofTheToll
Road network, we are engaged in thoughtful discussions and outreach that balance the objective of
improving transportation mobility with the importance of protecting environmentally sensitive areas
of Orange County.
Michael A. Kraman
Chief Executive Officer
Transportation Corridor Agencies

33. 29

34. TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR AGENCIES
The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) are two joint powers authorities formed by the California legislature in 1986 to
plan, finance, construct and operate Orange County’s 67-mile public toll road system. Fifty-one miles of the system are complete,
including the 73, 133, 241 and 261 Toll Roads. Elected officials from surrounding cities and county supervisorial districts are
appointed to serve on each Agency’s board of the directors. Public oversight ensures that the interests of local communities and
drivers are served and thatTCA continues to meet the region’s growing need for congestion-free transportation.
TheTollRoads.com