The California department of Fish and Game awarded a grant in the amount of $100,000 to study endangered species and habitat needs on San Bruno Mountain, officials with San Mateo County announced today.
San Mateo County officials will use the funds to update and revise the San Bruno Mountain Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP).
The HCP was stablished in 1982 and identifies specific endangered species as well as outlines the needs of the mountain's habitat.
"It hasn't been updated in a number of years, despite all the environmental changes," said San Mateo County Supervisor Mark Church. "I'm proud of the fact that we were able to get the money, especially in tough times."
Church said he, along with State Sens. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough, and Byron Sher, D-Palo Alto, applied for funding over a year ago as concerns about the sensitive habitat on San Bruno Mountain mounted.
There are likely more species on the mountain that could be classified as endangered. Also, non-native plants have infested and begun to destroy parts of the habitat.
The revised plan will provide direction on how to get rid of these plants and maintain the environment so that it is protected and can prosper.
The HCP also spells out which areas of the mountain can be developed and which are permanently protected. Much development of the mountain's slopes has been built or is planned since 1982.
Once the revisions are complete, more funding will be needed to implement the changes, Church said.
The San Bruno Mountain Habitat Conservation Plan is governed by a board of trustees consisting of the city managers from South San Francisco, Daly City and Brisbane, as well as the County Manager.
"This will help protect a very special place," Church said.