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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 05092006 - C.63 a Contra Costan' .JxNi TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS % v County FROM: TRANSPORTATION WATER AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE �s Supervisor, Federal Glover) Chair Supervisor, Mary N. Piepho DATE: May 9, 2006 SUBJECT: UPDATE ON THE EAST CONTRA COSTA COUNTY HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATIONS) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION ACCEPT report on the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan Association (HCPA) and the work of that Joint Powers Authority to develop a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP)/Natural Communities Conservation Plan (NCCP)for East County, as recommended by the Transportation, Water, and Infrastructure Committee. FISCAL IMPACT None. BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS I When the Countyjoined the HCPA in 2001,the Board requested periodic updates. Staff regularly provides updates to the Transportation Water and Infrastructure Committee (TWIC). On April 10, 2006 the TW IC received such an update and directed staff to forward the report to the full Board. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR_ RECOMM D TI OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTJiER SIGNATURE (S): SUPERVISOR FEDERAL GLOVER PERVISOR MARY N. PIEPHO f ACTION OF BOARD ON n<�JR b6, APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS �( I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND C UNANIMOUS (ABSENT 5� ) CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND 'T- ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD AYES: NOES: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Contact: John Kopchik (925-335-1227) ATTESTED Q 40 2,b(, cc: Community Development Department (CDD) J HO N CULLEN, CLERK OF County Administrator )THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MOUNTY ADMINISTRATOR DEPUTY I May 9, 2006 Page 2 The Draft HCP/NCCP was released in June of 2005 and the public comment period closed on December 1, 2005. Since then, staff and stakeholders have been working to respond to comments and to update the HCP/NCCP for release as a final. The HCPA Executive Governing Committee met on April 12 and reviewed key proposed revisions to the HCP/NCCP and authorized staff to release the Final HCP/NCCP and initiate the final 30 day public comment period. Questions or requests for additional information may be referred to John Kopchik of the Contra Costa County Community Development Department at 925-335-1227. Attached please find materials summarizing key aspects of the HCP/NCCP. Additional information is also available at the project website: www.cocohcp.org . Attachments: • Booklet providing an introduction to the Draft HCP/NCCP • Table summarizing proposed key revisions to the HCP/NCCP • 7 key figures from the HCP/NCCP i I I Conserving Natural Lands and S�usta�lining Economic Development .A o 4 _I�-� " 0 v r` may' e �j tfi $ j'� r t '�4 e • ,'.h f ZU ` • t .__.�[ s: ,nr!F cj ,`�..-j Y' �rYt dl~Jf fl f t r i.� .�F'J y,✓�d 3ry� 17 \ bo rte, S �i-F���`1, �1Ye? �'d e+"'L�YTln r 'y..' t _r j ✓ ; m ,�yv�,� r 'K2y' j'^ �, , � ,f' n IOW`. '��.✓-_;�„`rc�� F`�'j ��:1! r.r_i �'+ ;5r r..!'� t t�t t��" i ta_�f` ,r;11''¢ i r ® ® The Draft. East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan/ Natural Community Conservation Plan y$r An Introduction , i ' t Ci ty of Brentwood•City of Clayton City of Oakley•City of Pittsburg Contra Costa County Contra Costa Water District•East Bay Regional Park District i r i Intfodu lon Eastern Contra Costa County,is a unique region Where the Bay Area, Delta, and Central Valley meet. This part of the county is characterized by open space and Tdble of Contents beautiful vistas. The area retains a rural lifestyle while providing houses, jobs, farms, and ranches for future generations. It features a rich landscape that is also The Problem &Solution...............3 home to some of the world's rarest plants and animals. Over l Wrare species occur in the East County area, including the San�Joaquin kit fox, California Goals of the Plan.............................4 red-legged frog,Alameda Whipsnake,western burrowing owl,vernal pool fairy Planning Process.............................5 shrimp, and Diablo helianthella. `. Conservation Objectives...............6 Preserve System...............................7 Located east of San Francisco, the areas convenient location,,natural beauty, and mild climate have led to rapid population growth. Contra Costa County's ; Project Approvals.............................8 population is predicted to grow by 127,000 people by 2025, providing important ! How the Plan Will Work.......:......9 new housing for the Bay Area's growing workforce. A significant portion of Cost and Funding...........................10 this growth will occur in East County in habitatlfor endangered species,setting Implementation...............................11 up a potential conflict between conservation and economic development i The Draft East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan (HCP/NCCP) seeks to avoid such conflict, providing an opportunity to preserve these diverse ecosystems, unique species, and scenic landscapes while clearing regulatory obstacles to continued economic development and growth. wag This booklet provides an introduction to the Draft East Contra Costa County HCP/NCCP,which covers over 175,000 acres in the East County(see map below). For more information on this complex and ambitious plan, including the full text of the draft documents, go to www.cocohcp.org lr contact siaff,(see back cover). SOLANO SACRAMENTO HCP/NCCP Plan Area CONTRA SAN COSTA JOAQUIN _ ' •� +rl Walnumul t Oakland CreekBit I J( "San Francisco i racyLivermore 1 7be Fast Contra Costa County HCP/ A L A M DA NCCP will preserve a mosaic of natural communities in East County, including SAN grassland, oak woodland, chaparral, MATE O streams, and wetlands. i - - Nnt m Salle 1 f I The'Prob1:e A•a� _ The current process of getting development permits and performing habitat mitigation is inefficient and can be ineffective. Project proponents need approvals from many agencies, resulting in major delllt costs. Expelled Benefits of the s; uncertain ty, and si nifican Some projects spiral out of control (see diagram f below). Project-by-project compliance with wetlands and species,regulations is not always best for the. To Residents resources, provoking a focus on species surveys�hile lacking a means to effectively ! Protection of open space, coordinate the avoidance and mitigation requirements of distinct projects. enhancement of recreational opportunities, preservation of scenic landscapes and natural heritage. Agency #3 _ To the Environment Protection and enhancement �� Agenry i of 23,500 to 30,000 acres of xc #4 open space to preserve species, /// t habitats,and ecosystems. F n To Business/Development Streamlined endangered species en cS --'®' and wetlands compliance; Agency #5 greater regulatory and economic #2 _ _ certainty. To Rural Landowners [' Project Expands market for willingnow Prop sal lr , l sellers of land in eastern Contra La�cal Costa County. Gov't. n r i ! 4'r i +FI .� i ��( 1 _ �i� ` 'i i To Local Governments f �17j,1 �hp'PI,�pO"S.p 5�111t1�p ° l More local control; permits-for crucial infrastructure. { ; The Draft HCP/NCCP proposes a coordinated, regional approach to conservation and regulation: It would replacel the current process of project-by- project permitting and fragmented mitigation, and would benefit conservation, t agencies, and project proponents alike. - Local Goat: _ Project reviews consistency Constructed with plan. & Proposal Proponents pay o Natural Lands fees or provide r mitigation. Conserved The Mt. Diablo Buckwheat was thought to 1 be extinct since 1936. It was rediscovered on Mt. Diablo in 2005. { -_-3 i ; r. s i b Jt y Goals'of the Plan Definitions Purchase, restore and permanently protect large, connected, biologically rich blocks of habitat. The HCP/NCCP will pool HCP-A Habitat Conservation public and private funding ' to acquire land and restore natural resources. The plan will also help to assure Plan is prepared to satisfy the that conservation acquisitions are guided by sound science, development avoids federal Endangered Species Act the best resources in the area,`habitat connectivity and wildlife corridors are and to receive a permit from the . maintained, and watershed and ecosystem functions are protected--not just U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Y individual wetlands and species. ! authorizing impacts to threatened . and endangered species. Redirect money away from the process ofpermitting and toward the protection of resources. Rather than spending limited funds to incrementally NCCP-A Natural Community assess, negotiate,and argue mitigation requirements, applicants' funds can be Conservation Plan is prepared put to more constructive uses, such as acquiring land and restoring habitat and to satisfy�'the state Natural hydrologic functions. Community Conservation Planning Act and to receive Improve regulatory certainty and improve permitting efficiency for regulators a permit from the California and applicants. The HCP/NCCP provides permits for 30 years. This gives Department of Fish and Game the development community certainty about what will be required by federal, authorizing impacts to threatened state, and local governments. At the same time)the HCP/NCCP will make the and endangered species. regulatory process more efficient for project proponents and regulatory agencies, EIRMIS-'The Environmental Provide adequate compensation to willing landowners for permanent Impact Report is prepared protection of resources on their land. The HCP/NCCP will buy fee title or to satisfy the California conservation easements from willing sellers to create the preserve system. This expands Environmental Quality Act. die market for rural land and provides landowners with more economic options. The Environmental Impact Statement satisfies the National Environmental Policy Act. 4 �PIa� Overview ' ` :,i+l il`i���l'nt';�L" Ito, li ; � l�tlli;ahl n•. � t ' , � ri II,-', J� I (i �� ,;elk° 1 q,t. i � � t , i i � ' � 4 The County of Contra Costa and The cities of Brentwood, Clayron„Oakley, and Pittsburglare developtng a,plari that wills. j provide regional conservation and development guidelines to protect natural resources while improving and streamlining the 1. j permit process for endangered species and wetlands regulations. j The plan was developed by a team of scientists and planners with input from independent panels of science reviewers and stakeholders. The plan will provide permits for between 8,900 and 13,200 acres of development and will permit impacts to an additional 1,300 acres from rural infrastructure projects, The preserve system created by the plan will include at i least 23,500 acres of land (and up to 30,000 acres) Char will be managed for the benefit of 28 species as well as the natural � communities that they, and hundreds of other species, depend upon. By proactively addressing the long-term conservation j needs, the plan strengthens local authority over land use and provides greater flexibility in meeting other needs such as housing, j transportation,and economic growth in the area.. I Oc4 2001 April 1997 May 1999 June 2000 HCPA` East CountyTask Force March 1998 East County Task Force Final East Contra Costa County begins; I [o seek consensus Letter from SFWS Repori(some consensus Habitat Conservation prepar, on Biodiversity Study A CDFG or ing HCP around regional conservation Plan Association(HCPA) HCI'/ initiated in I' for East County planning) formed NCCI A L AL AL 1997 1998 1999 12006 12001 i } 0 Executive Governing Committee(EGC)Meetin •Coordination Group Meetings i Planning Process Preparation of the HCP/NCCP began in October 2001. However, a significant }, amount of prior work laid the foundation for the planning process. The East HCP�NCCP By the Numb Comity Pilot Study of the Alameda-Contra Costa Biodiversity Working Group led to a stakeholder consensus process in 1997 on conservation planning. Soon Size of Planning Area: 175,804 acres thereafter, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish Number of Covered Species:28 and Game (wildlife agencies) began meeting Highest Point in Study Area:3,849feet with the local agencies to discuss the possibility Mt.Diablo) ' The Draft HCP/NCCF I of a regional conservation plan for eastern attempts to reconcile ; Term of Regional Permits:30 years Contra Costa County to address species- existing tensions... Amount of Development Impact development conflicts and as a condition of future water deliveries. In 2000,the East o �o� Permitted: 10,200 to 14,500 acres Contra Costa County'Habitat Conservation Amount of Conservation Protected: 23,500 to 30,000 acres Plan Association (HCFA) was formed. It includes the Cities of Brentwood,Clayton, Number of Pages: 1,818 Oakley, and Pittsburg, the Contra Costa Water Weight of Documents: 11.1 lbs. District, the East Bay Regional Park District; 9 { Number of Meetings Held:237 and the County: j m t( y The plan is being prepared with the active ,,,and seeks consensus participation of landowners, agriculturalists; on movingforward Jitne2005 homebuilders; local, state, and federal with mutually beneficial Draft HCP/NCCP and Draft EIR/EIS released governments,environmental groups, and solutions. October 2005 business interests. These interests help guide the Public meetings on Draft planning process through a committee called �ko HCP/NCCP&Draft EIR/EIS the Coordination Group. Since its beginning A�By December 2005 in 2002, the group has pursued consensus as` �e �c Comment deadline for Draft a critical component of developing a plan that y� s documents(December 1) can be approved and implemented. The plan otvetiorFebruary 2006 attempts to unite often competing interests Final HCP/NCCP andFinal EIR/EIS to be released around a more effective and efficient approach to regulating and conserving natural resources. March 2006 End(if comment period on It l�i I ' I"t}�) 41 — Final HGP/NCCP T = �i•u 1, it I i" and Final EIR/EIS April 20'02 ( '; {� , 1 t October 2004 1 st monthly t a l i '.f i Draft Aquatic May 2006 meeting of HCPA ill ltl}k�,jl ll Resources the HCP to consider Coordination t 1 6}'ll h i « l Inventory, adopting the F IRMIS Group1 Draft Regional and reconnu(ndmb 1 1 1 1 HCP/NCCP City (stakeholders) �+ ,k 1 i 1 ) Permit Program ry 14i ti forlIm'pacts ton councils and Board of , I" � i Su Pmiso to consider May 2002 AquaueiResources;. ' I l r p t 1st of 4 Science October 2003 [ t l 1''t , 1 adopgng HCI/NCCP Advisory Panel NCCP PI ning November 2004 �{ 1, + t '` ',It �i'il t i meetings Agreement is Interagency ', Y lune'2006I January 2003' adopted white paper DFG'and USFWS ;'It June 2002 Preliminary P released on issue perrtnts: Preliminary Draft November 2003 coordinating Implementation Draft Conservation Preli nary species and of ECCC HCP/Resources Strategy and Working Draft wetlands NCCP begins if f Inventory Impact Analysis HCP/NCCP mitigation approved )02 2003 004 2005 2006 I I i 5 Ao Conservation Objectives I 5 ' East Contra Costa Cou�ry supports numerous rare and sensitive species and the natural habitats in which they live. Under the HCP/NCCP, conservation acquisitions will focus on preserving links between exisung,public lands and protecting wildlife corridors. One objective of the plan will be San Joaquin Kir Fox the connection of amovement corridor for the San Joaquin kit fox. -In addition, numerous other _ plants and animals will be preserved and enhanced by the plan. For example, this plan protects ' species such as the Alamada whipsnake, a small snake with a significant portion of its range within �y the plan area. Assembling the preserve a system will require land acquisition from willing sellers in areas that build existing public landff and that provide unique and important habitat values. As the preserve Becumed larkspur system grows it will befmanaged comprehensively for the benefit of species with a focus on restoration and enhancement of natural communities. The:end result will be a preserve system of between 23,500 and 30;000 acres in size supporting vernal pools, native grasslands, oaks, streams, i t E chaparral, and other diverse landscapes. w` 5 • Gallen Eagle - hQuisihoo Priorities. t Legend � x a (°,��/��` t , h,venrory Area Existing Urban Development San Joaquin Spearseal< -Existing Parks,Open Space, El and Public Watershed Lands Lower Acquisition Effort oap Medium Acquisition Effort u I Higher Acquisition&ic; li i��ilil f� �. i , i i P tt l r i Legged ^,,I �k sAdditi6"Key Restoration CallrorniFRed- �' ' '� �`' {Pri'ori[ies Frog I _ a t t x; kir l3 1{, 6 i �i l'r ri i• E' f i Vernal Pool Tadpole � ,: 1 t ',� � i �ShrimP �r�y ` y. c'k— ,1� �: a.r(Yn.•fj.(Jp� is r .• yy Ar` rirr. , � - f• c a'�`>"� is�r a � � .�. Brittlescalc y Western Bunowing Owl a Watem Pond Turtle A Diablo Helianthella Towosend's Western Giant Garter Snake' j Big-Eared Bat i 1 6 24 of 28 COVERED SPECIES ® j e c t i v e Preserve System In addition to its primary role of protecting species and their habitats, the preserve system will also support activities such as recreation, livestock grazing, and to a lesser degree, cultivated agriculture. Recreation within the preserve system will include opportunities for hikers,cyclists, and ` equestrians. Land acquisition.will build on existing protected areas and connect to existing parks Trirolomd Blackbird such as Mt.Diablo State Park;Black"Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, and Morgan Territory Regional Preserve. Natural habitats will be improved through,restoration. Native grasses, chaparral;and riparian areas will be enhanced. Pockets of restoration are planned along Marsh Creek and will becoordinated with local parks and the Marsh Creek trail. These activities will complement efforts at resource protection including the preservation of open s ace and viewsheds and the protection of the area's Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp exceptional scenic values. ' s COOSeRdliOD Biology 101 The science of conservation biology has imp rtant principles that were:used to design the Brewers Dwarf Fla= preserve system. Examples of these principle's are: Larger is Better Connectivity Minimize Edge Fewer, Larger 4 r Better —�. .. icalifomia Tiger .. /� . ..salamander 0.L° Worsen li � •i�F,, � ,�1 , - ori , Monitoring,Research,and Management Mont Diablo Fairy-Lamem I The HCP/NCCP contains detailed guidelines and recommendations for management, enhancement, and restoration of habitats andlandscapes throughout East County. The plan also contains a framework and guidelines to devel p a detailed monitoring and adaptive management program during the early years of implementation. This"knowledge-based" management is critical -ter to the success of the plan and to maintaining and enhancing the species it is trying to preserve. r Silvery Legless Lizard } a z rZw o 4 Showy Madia FoothillYellow-Legged Mount Diablo Alameda Whipsoake Swaimoa's Hawk Big Twplam , i Frog Man=aniu i —-- --24 of 28 COVERED SPECIES 7 Project Approvals The HCP/NCCP will provide streamlined permits from the U.S. Fish and a. Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Game that will allow -47 project proponents to get their endangered species approvals at the local. t ' planning counter. The same permits,can also be used for public infrastructure ✓� projects throughout eastern Contia'Costa Coun 'These permits will facilitate r �•* construction of new homes and businesses in Contra Costa County. Local agencies are pursuing similar regional permits for wetlands impacts (see sidebar). , Development of New Homes and Businesses ' The Conservation Plan is designed primarily to stceariiline approvals for the future growth of the cities of Clayton, Pittsburg, Brentwood, Oakley, and unincorporated communities in the County su�,h as Bay Point and Byron. Up to 13,200 acres of new urban development can get their endangered species permits under the plan. Public Infrastructure Avariery of public infrastructure projects will enefit from the Conservation Plan including roads, flood protection projects, schools, neighborhood parks, and ,. t recreational trails. Specific rural transportation Projects would receive permits " under the plan including the Buchanan Bypass1-Byron Highway widening, and y Vasco Road widening. Providing streamlined endangered species approvals for - these needed projects would help accelerate congestion relief and support the continued economic development of the region. I t . . , i t ;r} t�'CooetM Actiol� t�es t j, , ,� �t � � I�Legend t ti l t , t �� liti IN inventory Area - t '. ® Urban Limit Line Covered Activities ` 1 Initial Urban Development Area Detention Basins ® Byron Airport Expansion Covered Transportation Projects I � � Land Use Designattow [� Agricultural and Other Rural band Uses I o Parks,Public Watershed Lands,and Protected Open Space f City of Antioch-Not Covered v N i i 8 How the Plan Will Work By developing a plan that addresses natural resource issues comprehensively and proactively, local agencies would increase their control over local land-use p issues.and benefit species and project proponents alike. Rather than individually Flexible Permit Area surveying, negotiating, and securing mitigation project proponents will receive their endangered species permits by paying a single Fee (and/or dedicating 1 The Conservation Plan was land), performing limited surveys, and adhering.to limited protocols to avoid f developed to be flexibile and to and minimize impacts during,construction. Ve fees would be collected by the 1 respond to future development Implementing Entity of the plan;combined withgrantsand other funding sources; i plans of local governments. and used to purchase habitat lands or easements'from willing sellers and to provide i The plan initially covers 8,900 monitoring,habitat enhancement, and management for acquired lands. 1 acres of development within the j current Urban Limit Line (ULL) i and city limits. If the ULL or ( city limits shrink or grow, the Conservation Plan will provide The HCP/NCCP provides local permi�t control and permits for that growth as long coordinates habitat conservation from multiple sources. as it does not conflict with the �. conservation strategy. The plan provides permits for up to 13,200 acres of new urban Implementing Continued Park ('i development. Developers or &Open Space Entity Acgwsitton i ; ✓ r ..,, .. . sb Wetldnds Permitting or Q Habitat Funding The local agencies developing k New State& Permit Applications Cities/County ? 0 Federal Funding '< this HCP/NCCP are also Permits ' pursuing similar regional 0 Construction of New Hones&Businesses permits for wetland impacts p New Roads& under the federal Clean Water Infrastructure Act and state wetland and 11- Jn h _ stream regulations. The goal is to coordinate wetlands and i4l, ,�ti l,til � :it alt species requirements so that fee payments and other conservation ! actions provide multiple permits. Discussions have been ongoing ✓ with the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, the U.S. Environmental Protection NNW µ Agency, and the California Department of Fish and Game. ,t } Coordinated and streamlined wetlands permits are expected in J' 2006. kms + �ti Local agencies are pursuing wetlands permits to complement the HCPINCCP. . i 9 i Cost and Funding Costs of Implemeting Plan . The cost of implementing the;HCP/NCCP during the 30-year permit term is estimated at up to $330 million. This includes the cost of land acquisition (about 2/3 of plan costs), � Funding PTlIlCIpleS plan administration, habitat management, habitat restoration, biological monitoring,and remedial measures during the permit term.. Th proportion of costs are shown below. Make Best Use of a Existing Resources. Legend j The plan will rely on WY, Land Costs-GO% existing public furiding (] Site Improvements-2% sources and fees on r new development and Land Acquisition Operation Costs(due infrastructure. diligence,surveys)-3% [] Program Administration-'5% Developers Pay Their Q Planning&Design-2% Fair Share. The costs of [� Habitat Restoration/Creation-7% 1 implementing the plan Q EnvironmentalCompliance-1% were allocated between Preserve Management&Maintenance 11% future development and Monitoring;Research,and Adaptive the public based on the Management-6% premise that the costs t [] Remedial Measures- 1% to future development Contingency Fund-2% should be in proportion to the impacts caused by future development. Funding to Implement Plan Funding to implement the plan will come from I a variety of public and private sources. M Access New State and important source of funding will be fees on pri ate development and public infrastructure Federal Funds. New projects that receive permit coverage under the Jplah. Non-fee public funding will either sources of funding come from continued investment by local, state, and federal programs already funding earmarked specifically conservation in this area or from existing state and federal sources reserved for areasiwith I for approved HCPs an approved HCP/NCCP. The plan will not increase local taxes and will allow local and NCCPs could be agencies to receive state and federal funding that would otherwise pass the area by. available once this plan is approved. } j. Legend Cost-Share with kt+ Fees on New Development in Urban i { I l ,i; Development.Area 47% } { State and Federal Government. State Q Wetland Impact Fees ;7%0 1 j and Federal agencies Q Fees on RurallInfrastntI 113%; „ Ill {, +•�:,1 + ! will be contributing } l ;{ }Ma ntenance,,"of Existing?Conservation.Effort approximately$55 { 1 • o (Lcal)-16% I I � million of new funds to 1 a Q Maintenance of Existing Conservation Efforthelp implement the plan It �, I•. (State)-7% and make it successful. Maintenance of Existing Conservation,Effort (Federal)- 1% { ( Byron I Airport Clear Zone Acquisitions (Federal)-2% New Wildlife Agency Funds- 17% i I 10 Implementation A new organization would be created to oversee assembly and operation of the HCP/NCCP preserve system and ensure compliance with all terms of the HCP/ NCCP, permits, and Implementing Agreement. �his Implementing Entity will 1 be run by a Governing Board of representatives from each local agency and an i I Executive Director. The Implementing Entity will be advised by representatives Key mplementd(lon Components of the wildlife agencies, local land management agencies, a pool of Science Advisors, and a public advisory'committee. The Implementing Entity may Use Existing Experience. partner with existing agencies and organizations to conduct a significant portion The HCP/NCCP Implementing of its responsibilities. Entity will rely heavily on I the experience of existing Pr n rp}� land management agencies (�1 tllel D11lpS in the study area such as East Bay Regional Park District, Partnerships with other organizations and agencies will be critical to the success California Department of Parks of the HCP/NCCP during implementation. For example, groups such as East and Recreation, and Contra Bay Regional Park District and land trusts already acquire conservation land in Costa Water District. the area, and are expected to continue to do so after the HCP/NCCP is approved. The HCP/NCCP will partner with these groups to purchase additional land Scientific Review. from willing sellers to assemble the HCP/NCCP preserve system. Partnerships A pool of Scientific Advisors will also be important for land management and monitoring. The HCP/NCCP will be assembled to assist the Implementing Entity may contract with existing organizations or others to do Implementing Entity design land management tasks such as fence repair, overseeing livestock grazing, and monitoring protocols, develop road maintenance. Highly technical tasks such at species monitoring may also management prescriptions, and be contracted out. Land management and monitoring already occurs on existing j review monitoring data. These public lands in the area. The Implementing Entity will closely coordinate with advisors will help ensure the these projects to ensure consistent techniques and to save money. plan is implemented using the best available scientific data and I techniques. " Encourage Public Involvement. The public will be instrumental in making this HCP/NCCP a success during implementation. There will be opportunities to y participate through periodic j public meetings, a public advisory _ I I committee, and volunteering within the HCP/NCCP + - preserves. - j - I U Rkhml P:t w, i II The following individuals c ntributed to the development ofithis overview and to the Draft HCP/NCCP as pa I icipants in the Coordination.Group of the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan Association. The Coordination Group , continues to.meet to providilhris guidance on the preparation of the Final HCP/NCCP. i I eth Adams Save Mount Diablo Barton City of Pittsburg Tom Bloomfield and Carol Arnold Contra Costa Resource Conservation District Paul Campos and Bob Glover Home Builders Association of Northern California Glo``ria Cannon Mt. Diablo Audubon Mike Daley Sierra Club Bay Chapter Abigail Fateman and John Kopchik CCC Community Development Department Janice Gan and Carl Wilcox California Dept of Fish ems' Game Fan Garland Contra Costa Water District Jeff Garrigues, Nancy Kaiser, and Rebecca Willis City of Oakley Jegemy Graves City of Clayton Jim Gwerder and Donna Vingo CCC Citizens Land Alliance Sheila Larsen U.S. Fish da•Wildlife tService Kathy Leighton Byron AMC I i Suzanne Marr U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Brad.Olson and Beth Stone East Bay Regional Park District David Reid Greenbelt Alliance WiRhodes City of Brentwood 7e Sellgren CCC Public Works Department Jay Torres-Muga Albert D. Seeno Construction Co. Ethan Wneklasen, Bradley Brownlow, and Clark Morrison Contra Costa Council ick Vrmeer California Native Plant Society Mike Vukelich and Dee Munk Contra Costa County-,Farm Bureau I a j, �?r�g�r�a°•°g4�• s p ��e• � so 4.: °e.Ya. •io as Contra Costa County Habitat ConserVatlon Plan/ Natural C mmunity Conservation Plan i 651 Pine St., 4th. Floor, NW, Martinez, CA 94553 925/335-1290 www.cocohcp.org Cmcr PFocos:x2005 David Lippin,.BA Widd,,wsan, Smu Hein i EAST CONTRA COSTA COUNTY HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN ASSOCIATION (HCPA) DATE: April 6,2006 TO: HCPA Coordination Group i FROM: John Kopchik, on behalf of the Coordination Group Subcommittee SUBJECT: . Recommendations If, the Subcommittee on Key Proposed. Revisions to HCP/NCCP The Coordination Group Subcommittee met for three hours on April 5 to review a list of proposed key revisions to the HCP/ NCCP. Attendees included the'following representatives of the Coordination Group/other interested individuals: Clark Morrison,Morrison and Foerster, on behalf of the Conira Costa Council Seth Adams, Save Mount Diablo Dick Vrmeer and Lech Naumovich, California Native Plant Society Paul Campos, Home Builders' Association of Northern California Jim Gwerder, Contra Costa Citizens' Land Alliance Janice Gan and Carl Wilcox, California Department of Fish and Game Sheila Larsen,U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service Dee Munk, Contra Costa County Farm Bureau Mary Lynn Coffee,Nossaman, Guthner,Knox&Elliott LLP, on behalf of Seecon David Reid, Greenbelt Alliance Chris Barton, City of Pittsburg Rebecca Willis, City of Oakley John Kopchik,HCPA staff David Zippin, Jones and Stokes (lead consultants to HCPA on the HCP/NCCP) Chris Beale,Resources Law Group (attorney for the HCPA) Dave Fowler, Byron Hot Springs Christian Marsh, Briscoe Ivester& Bazel LLP, on behalf of landowners in the ECC area The Subcommittee reviewed the attached table entitled "Summary of Substantive Changes to Draft HCP/NCCP"—and the excerpts from the HCP/NCCP attached to it—and, with the important exceptions described below, generally concurred with the recommended changes. The Subcommittee agreed to recommend edits to several of the 'provisions, and the attached document reflects staffs best efforts to document the edits agreed to during the subcommittee meetings. The following exceptions and clarifications must be noted with respect to the recommendations presented in the Summary table: • Subcommittee participants generally viewed the list of proposed changes as a package rather than as individual recommendations (i.e., participants may not agree with each of the proposed changes, but when considered in the context of the other proposed changes and the Plan as whole, ay be willing to accept them); J Page 1 of 2 s < • Participants have explicitly reserved the right to confer further with their constituencies on all aspects of these,recommendations to ensure that their positions are in line with those they represent; • The specific language of many of the proposed changes, in particular items #11(guidelines for land in lieu of development), #17 (stream setback provisions), #26 (increased flexibility for recreational uses within HCP/NCCP preserves), #28 (possible adjustments to wetlands conservation measures if wetlands permits don't come through), and #35 ( Section 7 consultations), may need to be refined. Subcommittee members are considering suggesting edits to be discussed at the April 12 Coordination group meeting); • r.No consensus was reached on:items #18 (definitions'of jurisdictional wetlands and waters) and 432 (early extension of take authorization). Discussion of these items should continue on April 12. f r; A T y�Y gni= Page 2 of 2 } Yz bo N W V 00 y l di O b id C c ti p nr aY oawvOb C21 1 lu E i' 3 m 2 y c a cba v ` w v bb d LAN NN N � k -O b c.9d .�,, C7 cid +�•. U'" O^ O N A U cV cd o ° w o0 0o p 4" 3 ° 00v ¢ ° o ° U o v a U o¢ d2 o, o Li 0 0 d) .� .7A H vex �¢ F c�dv� � `�° ¢ [— c vex ¢ cc ld N 0 pN c R} obi c rocu18 -2 M •C Vl ( V^O Y U Y � Y, p�.. •yo o °ow12, YN o � i � 33 U d � Ra � Q � � U U w. �• +�"+ U bA.0 �V U N a•,y b h p �' p W U p ..., y ro O 'C. 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J ® pN la •�h' J _ f rg uf0i Id m� Z . • % �., � lit- y��. � � D N I41) 1 n v r s r hrS •y J d ` . u 1 a c CD v a o y v c n ° timmN 2:4E m� U N N d) , N � C O o Q m ._ a'a O.� m t� a1:0 C Z=N o £ a > o U y m m c ° c m C 0 c IL V d wd C c m �N V C o f o m m a t 0 c S D m m rn c o a a m 104 o �. a3 m $w �d m��o E.aci M `0 G N v. •�1 .. , V n t •' r �]J R � a y: s vly .�J a�z Y�'1.f�,4� Y\hi,>,_ 'i}Ya o� �,i`j �1��'.�i•' � i ��"p'V.��.L4 '. a��`: ;o i •••■END tv • /��` -.. ` .S tic,c, � � �'�� ~w �` ..\ 1�• ' ^,.��_ ,Maw v, \n , ,•ra n� " Ox x_;. �-.'i` 1.' 6.. '��c} VVV,,, tel' f' .��'t h✓� E�: h. '4 \�+ i ;,.t At I ta v DEED 101111 UOUNDE OFF . 1 = �� ead t A V141 �1 Ja M. LL E CL �. i� TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS =� 5E L __�, Contra FROM: John Cullen, County Administrator M, aloi9 4 Costa DATE: May 9, 2006 ��srA'couK cPv County SUBJECT: Community Services Department Monthly Update SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION: ACCEPT monthly update on the operations of the Community Services Department. FISCAL IMPACT: No impact from this update. BACKGROUND: To enhance oversight of the Community Services Department the County Administrator is conducting monthly meetings with the department to receive updates on program issues and to plan and/or authorize actions that may be needed. To ensure they remain updated regarding the status of the program, the Board of Supervisors directed the County Administrator, or his designee, to provide them with a monthly status report. Attached is the regular monthly report on the operations of the Community Services Department. This report includes updates on the activities of the Policy Council, personnel issues, fiscal and audit reports and other programmatic issues. U CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: NO YES ✓ GNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION F BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER I SIGNATURES ACTION OF BO D N ¢iJ / ga61` APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED _ ' � R VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON MINUTES OF UNANIMOUS(ABSENT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. � ) AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Contact: Dorothy Ser (5-1009) Lil � d�d 1� cc: Communityity Services Department ATTESTED County Administration JOHN CULLE LERK OF THE BOARD OFSUPERVISORS BY: DEPUTY I V o -oNvv cosy coati j COMMUNITY SERVICES I DEPARTMENT )ce Valentine To: John Cullen, County Administrator Executive Director From: Joe Valentine, Executive Director Patricia Stroh,PhD Subject: Monthly Report 1 Program Services Date: April 21, 2006 Director I am submitting the following report to ensure ongoing communication with the County Administrator regarding all issues pertaining to the Head Start program and the Community Services!Department(CSD). A. Policy Council 1. The Head Start Policy Council met Wednesday, March 15th, 2006. Vincent Nickelberry, Policy Council Chair, reviewed the Head Start and Early Head Start fiscal reports with the group. Camilla Rand reported on the department's progress toward meeting the 2005 Goals & Objectives. The 2006 Recruitment& Enrollment Plan was presented. The group received training on Positive Discipline Strategies. 2. The Policy Council also met on April 19, 2006. They received a copy of the 2006 Program Self-Assessment report. Vincent Nickelberry, Chair, reviewed the report and Pat Stroh outlined the process for the self assessment and explained that the corrective action plan addressing the areas of non- compliance will be presented to them at the May meeting for their approval. 3. LaTrina Johnson, Chair of the Male Involvement subcommittee, provided a report at the April 19 Policy Council meeting on her experience at the National Head Start Fatherhood Conference held in February. Highlights of the conference included learning more about strategies for increasing male involvement in Head Start programs and hearing that there is a new federal bill allocating$5 million nationwide to fatherhood programs. 4. LaTrina Johnson was appointed as the Council',S new Parliamentarian, replacing Brenda Coffey. 5. Staff announced to the Council that the annual joint Policy Council/Board of Supervisors training will be held June 1St at the Oakhurst Country Club from 12-2 p.m. Invitations will be mailed at the beginning of May. 6. Site representatives reported on the many activities that occurred at the centers in celebration of last week's Week of the Young Child. Highlights included visits lfrom community representatives, art and cooking projects and parades throughout the neighborhoods. Joe Valentine and Pat Stroh read stories to the children at some of our sites. 7. In late March, the Policy Council Region IX Representative attended the one- -" day Management Training Series in Oakland, CA. The conference was designed to help Policy Council members increase their skills in working collaboratively with others, facilitate meetings,, and build teams, 2425 Bisso Lane Drive,Suite 260 Concord,California 94520 Tel 925 646 5540 Fax 925 646 5904 www.ccccsd.org :p John Cullen Page 2 April 21,2006 B. Personnel Report 1. Current Staffing Activities: • The department continues to make progress on filling vacancies within the teaching classifications. We currently have 10 openings compared to nearly 30 three months ago. There were several resignations this month which increased the number of openings. We plan to be fully staffed by the end of April. 2. Labor Relations: • We have worked with Local One to form a new Labor/Management Problem-Solving Committee which includes staff representatives selected from throughout the Department. The Committee has met twice so far and has picked a name, developed a Team Charter and Ground Rules, and identified a list of preliminary issues to address. The Committee has selected as their name`. the "Community Services Department Community Action Team for Success". Their next meeting has been scheduled for May 9. • Negotiations for Local One Unit Table—Line staff were held on March 31 s` April 19. The lnext meeting has been scheduled for May 10t'. The Site Supervisor unit table meeting has yet to be scheduled. C. Fiscal and Audit Reports 1. In accordance with the Program Instructions issued by the Administration of Children and Families (ACF) on April 3, 2006,the Department will submit a program improvement grant application requesting funding for significant health and safety upgrades to a number of our Head Start and Early Head Start facilities. 2. In compliance with the State's funding requirements,the Department submitted the 2005 close-out reports for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and Department of Energy contracts. In addition, the Department submitted the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) budget for 2006. D. Licensing Issues 1. The appeal the department sent to Community Care Licensing [CCL] regarding tl citation for the San Pablo International Market Place Center was approved so the citation has been removed. 2. We made an unusual incident report to CCL regarding a parent who threatened staff at Brookside, and have obtained a temporary injunction that requires the parent to stay away from our Centers. 3. We were told by CCL that they (CCL) will not levy any penalties on the County reg a ding the incident that took place at the Verde site on November 3�.2005. 4. On April 5, i;CL made an unannounced visit to our Balboa site in response to an allegation they received on a March 23.incident. A child was able to open a gate from an interior playground area;and go out the gate. The teachers on the playground were watching tl'e child the entire time, ran after him and brought him back—the child never made it as far as the parking lot. I I John Cullen Page 3 April 21,2006 We were cited by licensing because the gate was not latched. This gate had been checked earlier that morning and was latched. Since the child was under supervision at all times, we're appealing this citation and conducting a follow-up investigation of our own. 5. On April 6, a teacher at our George Miller Center reported that she had left a child in the classroom by himself earlier that day for about 5 minutes when she left to tend to another child in the bathroom We immediately reported the incident to licensing and are doing a full investigation to determine what disciplinary action would be appropriate. We have requested that Community Care Licensing provide additional training to the staff at this site E. Special Projects/Activities 1. All Head Start/Early Head Start Grantees are required to perform an annual Self-Assessment. Between March 6 and March 10 of this year, Head Start Parents, assisted by Managers and staff, conducted our annual Self- Assessment using the same instrument used by Federal Review Teams—the "PRISM" instrument. PRISM uses 18 categories to assess a program's system and services and their compliance with Head Start and Early Head Start standards. A report with the findings from the Self-Assessment and our proposed plan for corrective action will be presented to the Policy Council and Board of Supervisors. We're confident that once these corrective actions have been implemented we will be in a strong position for the federal Triennial Review of our program that is scheduled for next year. 2. The Department has been advised by the State Department of Community Services and Development that California's final CY 2006 allocation for the Low Income Housing & Energy Assistance Program has received an unprecedented increase in funding for 2006. This program provides direct cash assistance'for County residents with their utility bills, including 48 hour shut off notices, energy education services and weatherization services. For Contra Costa, it is projected that the current CY 2006 allocation of $1,849,484 will be increased by an estimated $1,379,146 to $3,228,630. We are working closely with the State to determine how to best use these funds which can be expended up through December 31, 2007. 3. The Department was notified last week by the California Cultural and Historical Endowment that $2,377,113 matching grant application prepared in part by the Department to renovate our Maritime Children's Center has successfully made it through the Endowment's review process. Only 25% of the grant applications, including ours, are being considered for funding. This successful application was part of an ongoing collaborative effort between the Department, the Rosie the Riveter Trust, the National Park Service, the Richmond Children's Foundation, and other public/private organizations to preserve this historic Center in Richmond. Funds for preparing the proposal were supplied by the Rosie the Riveter Trust in conjunction with the East Bay Community Foundation. If funded, the Maritime facility, which has been closed since 2003 for safety reasons, would be completely renovated to meet John Cullen Page 4 April 21,2006 current code and seismic standards, and would be used to house the proposed Maritime Historic Center for Working Families as part of the U.S. Park Service's Rosie rhe Riveter World War II/Home Front National Park, The collaborative team will make its presentation for funding consideration to the Endowment Board at the Board's April 27-28 hearings in Sacramento. Cc: Pat Stroh, Program Services Director Policy Council Family & Human Services Committee Maria Fort, ACF i I I I