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The East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan would replace the current process of project-by-project permitting for development of wildlife habitat.

Under the plan, development in a defined area would no longer require permits from state wildlife agencies. Developers would simply pay a mitigation fee to develop in those areas. The fees would then be used to conserve priority wildlife habitat in another defined area.

This takes a more concerted approach to planning for development and conservation, gives more certainty to developers, and provides funding for wildlife conservation.

The plan's creation has been a lengthy process, but it is on its way to becoming reality. The Executive Governing Committee approved the plan on November 8, 2006.  The committee then submitted the plan to the City Councils of the Cities of Brentwood, Clayton, Oakley, and Pittsburg, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, and the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors with a recommendation that these entities approve it. 

Greenbelt Alliance, along with a coalition of environmental groups, developers, and agencies have formally supported the Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan. See the coalition letter here and Greenbelt Alliance's letter here (PDF downloads).

More information on the plan is available at this website or in a summary booklet (PDF download).

Greenbelt Alliance attends the Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan public advisory committee meetings where discussions on how to implement the plans take place. 

What You Can Do

• Attend the Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan public advisory committee meetings. Ask John Kopchik, Contra Costa County planner, to be notified of when these meetings are held. Contact John at (925) 335-1227 or by e-mail.

• Stay in the loop by visiting the Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan website.

May 2008
Greenbelt Alliance has been attending the Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan public advisory committee meetings and has been impressed with the implementation of the plans.

March 2008
The plan continues to be implemented through the governing board and the advisory committee, which is working on solidifying mitigation fees and doing biological studies on different sites. Greenbelt Alliance attends and provides comment to the advisory board.

July 2007
On July 25, environmental agencies, developers, and county representatives gathered on Krieger Peak to celebrate the completion of the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan. Greenbelt Alliance was publicly recognized and awarded for its efforts in contributing to the process of conserving natural lands and sustaining economic development.

June 2007
The Pittsburg City Council approved the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan. The remaining steps in the approval process are consideration of the HCP/NCCP and related documents by the newly formed implementing entity (the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy) and by the wildlife agencies. Greenbelt Alliance will continue to monitor the implementation.

March 2007
Clayton, Oakley and Brentwood City Councils approved the HCP/NCCP. The Contra Costa Board of Supervisors and the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors also approved the HCP/NCCP. The Pittsburg City Council is the last city to consider the HCP, and will be doing so on March 26. Greenbelt Alliance will continue to monitor the implementation of the HCP/NCCP.