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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 07131993 - WC.2 r. WC.2 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ' � Contra FROM: WATER COMMITTEE Costa SUPERVISOR SUNNE WRIGHT MCPEAK COU* SUPERVISOR TOM TORLAKSON DATE: JULY 13 , 1993 SUBJECT: REPORT ON WETLANDS MITIGATION AND BANKING PROGRAM SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATIONS) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Direct the Community Development Department to defer further work on the draft wetlands ordinance at this time, and instead focus on other programs to preserve and enhance wetland areas, such as mitigation banking and other local-federal partnership programs. 2 . Authorize Chair to sign a letter to Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt and Congressman. George Miller to explore partnership or other cooperative opportunities (such as in- County pilot projects) for preservation of wetlands and other sensitive areas, utilizing a biodiversity approach. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER = t: SIGNATURE(S) : 'J" Supervisor Sunne W. McPeak, Chair Supervisor Tom Torlakson ACTION OF BOARD ON 117,7-3 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A UNANIMOUS (ABSENT TRUE AND CORRECT . COPY OF AN AYES: NOES: ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE ABSENT: ABSTAIN: MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Contact: Roberta Goulart (510/646-2071) ATTESTED cc: Community Development Dept. (CDD) PHIL TC OR, CLERK OF Conservation Programs Division THE SqARD OF SUPERVISORS Current Planning Division AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY , DEPUTY RG:rw wa2:\bo\7-13-93.wc2 Report on Wetlands Mitigation and Banking Program Continued - Page Two BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS Due to continuing constraints on staff time, coupled with the lack of full consensus achieved to date on the draft ordinance, the Water Committee recommends a shift in focus to less controversial aspects of wetlands preservation activities at this time. Therefore the Water Committee requests staff to convene the citizen committee on wetlands - comprehensive programs, to aid staff in provision of a workable approach to wetlands mitigation and mitigation banking programs. Staff will report back to the Water Committee during the September 1993 meeting. A recent visit by Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt to this area has initiated discussion at the local level relative to the biodiversity approach, which considers overall ecologic aspects of an area and its species, rather than the focus on a specific entity. The Water Committee recommends further review of this approach, as well as communication with Interior Secretary Babbitt and Congressman Miller in order to forge a coordinated approach (and perhaps a pilot project) for successful management of wetlands and other sensitive areas, and the various species which reside within those areas. The Water Committee wishes to continue exploration of methods by which to implement General Plan policy, which calls for an attempt to achieve a significant net increase in wetlands functions and values within the County over the life of the General Plan. RG:rw wa2:\bo\7-13-93.wc2 The Board of Supervisors Contra CP1rkl theBatchelo ^ and County Administration Building f Oct County Administrator 651 Pine St., Room 106 Costa (510)646-2371 Martinez, California 94553-1290 County Torn Powers,1st District Jeff Smith,2nd District Gayle Bishop,3rd District \�V.— -L:;,o,, Sunne Wright McPeak,4th District Tom Torlakson,5th District s July 27, 1993 Mr. Bruce Babbitt U.S. Secretary of the Interior 1849 C Street NW Washington D.C. 20240 Dear Mr.,,Oabbitt: The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has authorized this letter in order to communicate our support and endorsement of the biodiversity resource management approach which you conveyed during a recent meeting at the John Muir historic site in Martinez, California. The Board recognizes the merit of a program which considers management of habitat for a range of related species, rather than crisis management tactics focused specifically on those species in extreme decline. The Board would appreciate your consideration of a federal-local partnership, pilot project or other opportunity to support local preservation of sensitive areas . Contra Costa County is a unique natural area which combines several distinct habitat types . Located along San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the County is comprised of wetlands and agricultural areas, coupled with grassland, oak woodland and other uplands to the south. The County has long been a focus of urban development, due to its location in the Bay area. The County General Plan has a Growth Management element, and an Urban Limit Line 65/35 Land Management Plan which provides a guide as to where land may and may not be developed. The General Plan contains sound policy regarding habitat preservation, and the County has been involved in efforts to work with the building industry, agricultural interests, environmental groups and other interested parties on programs for wetlands preservation and enhancement, as well as significant increase of these habitats over time. The ecosystem/biodiversity approach is a good one; however in counties such as Contra Costa where a great deal of development has already occurred, the need for a study to determine significant areas, habitat size considerations, and other relevant aspects must be expedited in order for implementation to provide species benefit (or at least minimal species disruption) . As development continues, the prospects for planning in accordance with biodiversity considerations diminishes significantly, as areas not previously recognized for their habitat benefit are developed. s There are a number of separate, yet interrelated studies and programs planned which, in combination with a pilot project, could provide a unique opportunity for an ecosystem management approach. For example, the East Bay Municipal Utility District (water supply and wastewater treatment facilities for Contra Costa and Alameda Counties) has begun significant revision of their Watershed Master Plan. In addition, the East Bay Regional Park District (with a similar, two-county territory) will be revising their Master Plan. A two-County ecosystem planning effort may be advantageous in determination of habitat and species needs, given the above- mentioned studies . (Alameda County is also located in the East Bay area, adjacent and to the south of Contra Costa, including the cities of Oakland and Berkeley) . The San Francisco Estuary Project has recently completed a Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan which includes a number of action recommendations for this area. In January of 1993, the State-mandated Delta Protection Commission was created, with the short-term goal of establishment of a Resource Management Plan for the Delta core area. The Board has a great deal of interest in pursuing a responsible ecosystem planning approach through a federal-local cooperative venture. We believe a great opportunity exists for a pilot project, particularly due to the ability to incorporate and coordinate with other planning actions, which together comprise quite a significant area. A cooperative study of this sort would provide local agencies with the additional land use planning tool necessary for overall ecosystem management, as well as the ability to better balance competing needs . Thank you for your consideration of this matter.' Should you have any questions or desire any additional information, please telephone me at (510) 427-8138, or contact Roberta Goulart of our staff at (510) 646-2071 . We look forward to future discussions regarding a coordinated approach to habitat management. Sincerely, Tom Torlakson Chair Board of Supervisors cc: Congressman George Miller The Board of SupervisorsContra Phil Batchelor Clerk of the Board and County Administration Building Costa County Administrator 651 Pine St., Room 106 (510)646-2371 Martinez, California 94553-1290 County Tom Powers,1st District Jeff Smith,2nd District e Gayle Bishop,3rd District Sunne Wright McPeak,4th District Tom Torlakson,5th District \'•.• :aft" July 27, 1993 Congressman George Miller 2205 Rayburn H.O.B. Washington, D.C.001, 20515 Dear Congressman eller; U.S. Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt's June 1993 visit to the John Muir historic site in Martinez created a great deal of interest amongst members of the Board of Supervisors . Discussion promoting the wider-ranging ecosystem, or biodiversity concept of resource management was discussed as it related to local land use activities, rather than continued focus on crisis management of individual species in decline. Recent Board action endorsed the ecosystem/biodiversity approach, and authorized letters to Secretary Babbitt and yourself requesting support, (i .e. federal funding and perhaps a manpower commitment) towards a Local-Federal partnership, pilot project or other opportunity to support local preservation of sensitive areas . As you know, Secretary Babbitt has indicated a willingness to work with local agencies in this regard. The current budget situation at the local level will largely preclude additional studies or programs designed to promote changing habitat management practices, particularly if no other funding opportunities exist. Despite budgetary constraints, some work is directed towards increases in acreage and quality of wetland areas within the County, and insuring that impacts to these areas are mitigated in an appropriate manner. Wetlands mitigation banking, acquisition programs, easements and other incentives are being considered as methods to accomplish this goal, through an initial process of consensus among agricultural, development and environmental interests . As indicated in the letter to Secretary Babbitt (attached) , the ability to implement a biodiversity habitat management program will become less feasible as development continues . Available areas which may be deemed sensitive, or areas which provide necessary acreage requirements to satisfy habitat needs may no longer remain undeveloped over time. A unique opportunity currently exists to address the entire County, or perhaps the Contra Costa-Alameda two- County area, as there are a number of studies ongoing in this area. For example, the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) is revising their Watershed Master Plan, and the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) will shortly be revising their Master Plan. The Board respectfully requests your consideration and favorable disposition of our request. We are happy to provide additional information as needed. If you have questions, please call me at (510) 427-8138, or Roberta Goulart of our staff, at (510) 646-2071. We look forward to working with you on this important issue. Sincerely, Tom Torlakson Chair Board of Supervisors cc: U.S. Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt