The Newport Banning Ranch development is one of the largest residential developments proposed in Orange County in a number of years.  The Coastal Commission staff recommended increasing the amount of acreage needed for conservation this week.  BRI's Peter Bloom along with key staff submitted a letter to the commission advocating for more land to be devoted to the Burrowing Owl's wintering habitat.  (a state species of special concern )   Read more about the development here, but we are hopeful that the Coastal Commission will approve this new recommendation.