El Dorado County Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan Introduction to INRMP Implementation Options 1
Our approach to the options evaluation is based on the INRMP components as they are currently defined by General Plan Policy 7.4.2.8 2
INRMP COMPONENTS A. Habitat Inventory B. Habitat Protection Strategy C. Mitigation Assistance D. Habitat Acquisition E. Habitat Management F. Monitoring G. Public Participation H. Funding 3
Relationship to INRMP Phase 1 Habitat Inventory and Mapping A. Habitat Inventory B. Habitat Protection Strategy C. Mitigation Assistance D. Habitat Acquisition E. Habitat Management F. Monitoring G. Public Participation H. Funding 4
Relationship to INRMP Phase 1 Habitat Inventory and Mapping Indicator Species A. Habitat Inventory B. Habitat Protection Strategy C. Mitigation Assistance D. Habitat Acquisition E. Habitat Management F. Monitoring G. Public Participation H. Funding 5
Relationship to INRMP Phase 1 Habitat Inventory and Mapping Indicator Species Wildlife Movement & Corridors A. Habitat Inventory B. Habitat Protection Strategy C. Mitigation Assistance D. Habitat Acquisition E. Habitat Management F. Monitoring G. Public Participation H. Funding 6
A. Potential Approaches to Habitat Inventory Mapping updates every three years (first inventory completed in INRMP Phase 1) Include new USACE data for aquatic environments and wetlands maps for future updates Include results of monitoring program for future updates Evaluate ecological performance and wildlife use of habitat for future updates 7
Establish conservation targets by using GIS modeling to identify amount of existing habitat and amount of habitat to be protected by habitat type: 1. Habitats that support special status species Identification of species locations 2. Aquatic environments including streams, rivers, and lakes Identification of possible locations for acquisition, stewardship, BMP s etc. 3. Wetland and riparian habitat Recognize existing in place regulatory aspects 4. Important habitat for migratory deer herds Most critical habitat not within study area 5. Large expanses of native vegetation Establish conservation targets for subsets of large expanses including: Riparian Grasslands Chaparral (Pine Hill Preserve) Oak Woodlands (Oak Woodland Management Plan) Coniferous 8
A. Habitat Inventory Option Type Advantages Disadvantages Relative Cost Existing Mapping Board approved methodology Database already exists Best available data is incomplete Low Identification of Priority Conservation Areas Eliminate areas that are unlikely candidates for acquisition Utilize methodology defined by OWMP Could reduce areas available for wildlife habitat Reduce connectivity Increase habitat fragmentation Moderate Additional Data Sources Utilize new information as it becomes available Additional expense to fill in holes in database High 9
B. Potential Approaches to Habitat Protection Strategy What to Protect Habitat Prioritization (establish ranking scale) Use Wildlife Corridor Report as starting point to identify corridors to protect (for all habitat types) Conduct Connectivity Studies Computational Approaches Field Wildlife Biology Approaches How to Protect It Redo IBCs Identify Specific Construction/Restoration Projects Prior Studies and Literature Reviews Ordinances and Regulations Payment for Ecosystem Services Stewardship and Education Williamson Act 10
B. Habitat Protection Strategy Option Type Advantages Disadvantages Relative Cost Local Ordinance Predictable landscape outputs Land Use Regulation Can plan for ecological patterns and processes that cross parcel boundaries Redo Important Biological Corridors Current adopted IBCs were developed for the environmentally constrained General Plan Alternative, which was not adopted in its entirety Current IBCs were not scientifically developed County responsible for full implementation Less owner control of process requires county action Would require a General Plan Amendment Low Low Moderate 11
B. Habitat Protection Strategy (Cont.) Option Type Advantages Disadvantages Relative Cost Payment for Ecosystem Services Politically popular because of funding to landowners Rewards good design Stewardship & Education Politically popular and palatable Grants often available Easement & Fee Title Acquisition Politically popular because of funding to landowners Habitat Prioritization Rationale for investment of funds, conservation based Williamson Act Can offer relatively quick protection from development Can be expensive has unpredictable outputs Effectiveness highly variable and hard to measure Likely to be expensive Has unpredictable outputs Hard to implement because of reliance on willing sellers Temporary property can be taken out of contract Potentially high Moderate Potentially high Low Low 12
C. Potential Approaches to Mitigation Assistance INRMP is Landscape Level Plan, Not An HCP Avoid, Minimize, Compensate Determine Impact Threshold: What Level of Disturbance is Significant Enough to Trigger Mitigation Develop System for Project Applicants to Use to Determine Type and Amount of Mitigation Necessary Identify Developer Incentive Programs Establish Open Space District(s) 13
C. Potential Approaches to Mitigation Assistance Fee Establishment Methodology On Site Mitigation: Capital Improvements, Design Off Site Mitigation: Mitigation Banks In lieu Fees: Used for Habitat Acquisition, Capital Improvements, Habitat Management, Administration, etc. 14
C. Mitigation Assistance Option Type Advantages Disadvantages Relative Cost Mitigation Bank within INRMP Study Area Regional or Private Mitigation Banks Keeps collected fees within INRMP study area Could provide mitigation opportunities for adjacent jurisdiction and cost sharing for Cost of administration the County Pay as you go system Protected habitat may not be within study area Capital Improvements Pay as you go system Provides source of funding to improve existing conditions High Moderate Administrative costs Moderate 15
C. Mitigation Assistance (cont.) Option Type Advantages Disadvantages Relative Cost Restoration by Property Owner or Developer On site restoration Minimizes County involvement Need to monitor to evaluate success Moderate Credit for Wildlife Sensitive Design Lessens impacts Hard to measure Low Credit for Participation in Other Mitigation Programs Other programs already established Not all habitat types are currently represented by other programs Low 16
D. Potential Approaches to Habitat Acquisition What Should Be Acquired? Based on Habitat Mapping and Connectivity Studies Based on IBC s (New or Existing) Lands at Risk of Conversion to Other Land Uses Identification of Willing Sellers Based on Habitat Prioritization Studies Identify Lands Already Protected (Public Land) Possible Additional Mapping Efforts Zoning General Plan Designations Planned Developments Parcels with Development Agreements Soil Types Types of Acquisition Fee Title Conservation Easements Development Restrictions Potential Partners: EID, FRAP, USFS, ARC, BLM, etc. 17
D. Habitat Acquisition Acquisition Type Advantages Disadvantages Relative Cost Fee Title Total transfer of Cost High property rights Need for Property rights can be transferred to another agency for management management and maintenance of the acquired lands License or Permit Low initial cost Temporary Low MOU Low cost Temporary Moderate May not be legally binding Easement Achieves goal without Usually only applies Low cost of ownership to a portion of the property Use Reservation Retains property rights Possible incompatible land uses Low Accommodates existing land owners Property access Lease Purchase not required Temporary Moderate 18
D. Habitat Acquisition (cont.) Option Type Advantages Disadvantages Relative Cost Agency Mitigation Utilizes programs already in place Acquisition by Habitat Type Lands at Risk of Conversion Takes advantage of previously performed work Development agreements may already be in place Density requirements may already be in place and other areas that could accommodate those densities would need to be identified and changed Need for management and maintenance of the acquired lands Requires specific software Additional effort needed for habitat Prioritization Ignores biology of what is existing on the ground Low Moderate High 19
D. Habitat Acquisition (cont.) Option Type Advantages Disadvantages Relative Cost Survey to Identify Willing Sellers Available parcels may be fragmented Targeted Properties Critical properties can be identified based on previous studies Not everyone will respond to the survey Willingness may change over time Property ownership may change Identified properties may not have willing sellers Low Low 20
E. Potential Approaches to Habitat Management Develop Specific Habitat Management Plan For Each Major Habitat Type Vegetation Removal Chemical Applications Fuel Reduction, etc. Application to All Important Habitat Areas (Not Just Acquired Parcels) Design Considerations Clustering Improvement Locations, etc. Considerations of Wildlife Movement Culvert Modifications Fence Design and Location Traffic Calming Other Structural Retrofits (Improve Existing Impediments) Coordinated Management Identify County s role and coordinate with other Federal, State, & Private Land Owners 21
E. Habitat Management Option Type Advantages Disadvantages Relative Cost Design Habitat wildlife considerations planned prior to construction Infrastructure Improvements/ Construction Most likely to reduce effects of roads and other infrastructure Able to plan for most large scale patterns and processes Fee structure needs to be in place to pay for improvements May require updates to County policies, manuals, and regulations Requires coordination of multiple agencies Requires a large amount of County involvement and outside resources Low High (but potentially offset) Coordinated Management Can plan for ecological patterns and processes that cross parcel boundaries Less owner control of process Requires County action Moderate 22
F. Potential Approaches to Indicator Species Monitoring Utilize Existing Data Conduct Field Studies Identify what we are monitoring (distribution, population, age class.etc.) and why Wildlife Occupancy & Movement Cameras Vehicle wildlife collision tracking Habitat Condition Create Citizen Monitoring Programs Partnering Opportunities 23
F. Monitoring Option Type Advantages Disadvantages Relative Cost Program Actions Inexpensive Low information content about program performance Indicator Species Broad information about ecological benefits Generally low information content about each species Low Moderate Habitat Condition Broad information about potential ecological benefits Indicator Species Population Health Broad and deep information about potential ecological benefits Community Satisfaction Provides meaningful connection to stakeholders and public Wildlife benefits unknown Expensive High Relates only to perception of program performance Moderate Moderate 24
G. Potential Approaches to Public Participation Maintain Current Organization (PAWTAC & ISAC) Community Workshops Surveys Individual Stakeholder Meetings Form Executive Committee to Meet with Public and Report to BOS Provide Public Education Program for Habitat Stewardship 25
G. Public Participation Option Type Advantages Disadvantages Maintain Current Organization Encourage Public Involvement and Enhanced Stakeholder Participation No action required by Board or County Staff Improves public awareness and appreciation for transparency of the process Engages stakeholders that are involved or could be involved in other elements of the INRMP such as funding, acquisition, monitoring Surveys Avoids excessive input from a vocal minority Individual Stakeholder Site specific information can Meetings be incorporated into the Public Education Programs plan Grant funding available Creates stewardship Fewer opportunities for public involvement Limited number of affected groups participate in the process More complicated coordination and logistics for the committee organization Additional staff time and costs for workshops/outreach Cost Possibility of too many or too few meetings Administration needed 26
H. Funding Options Identify Funding Sources to cover costs of: Management and Administration of INRMP Program Land Acquisition Restoration or Enhancement Monitoring 27
H. Funding Options Option Type Advantages Disadvantages Relative Cost Grants Free money Many sources available Could benefit property owners as well as County Many grants require matches Requires staff time to prepare grant application Low Mitigation Fees Can pay for capital improvements or habitat acquisition Requires staff time to monitor fee implementation and management of funds Moderate Permit Fees Funding prior to construction impacts Higher fees could drive away potential developers Moderate Assessment Districts Puts responsibility on property owner Payment could be postponed Taxes are unpopular Low (to County) County General Fund Funding can be used for whatever component of the INRMP needs it most County funds are limited Lag time for County to allocate funds during the budget cycle High 28
Potential Grant Sources 29
Potential Grant Sources (cont.) 30
Potential Grant Sources (cont.) 31
What s Next? Prepare Administrative Draft INRMP Options Report that Addresses: Optional approaches to each INRMP component Committee preferred options Identification of relative costs (where possible) Identification of preferred options Proposed Scope of Work for INRMP Phase II SEA to Provide Updates and Overview of INRMP Process to: EDC Transportation Commission EDC Fish and Wildlife Commission EDC Parks and Recreation Commission EDC Agricultural Commission EDC Planning Commission Estimated Cost for Preparing INRMP Phase II 32