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Greenbelt Alliance In the News
July-September 2007
Ear to the Ground
News from the Conservation Community and the Natural World
Aleta George
...
Across San Pablo Bay, Contra Costa County is also trying to manage growth
wisely. The population here is expected to increase by 127,000 within 20
years, and housing for those newcomers will be built somewhere. The trouble
is, developers
are eyeing open space that's already home to about 150 rare species, including
California red-legged frogs, western burrowing owls, San Joaquin kit foxes,
and vernal pool fairy shrimp. In 1998, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
and the California Department of Fish & Game encouraged Contra Costa County
to develop a habitat conservation plan (HCP). According to the county's principal
planner, John Kopchik, wildlife agencies worried that a project-by-project
approach to development could harm those rare species. After years of work
by government agencies, private developers, environmentalists, and ranchers,
the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation
Plan has been approved by all participating local agencies. Pending final state
and federal approval and permits, the plan will be the first large-scale HCP
in the Bay Area.
"
The idea is to sacrifice low-priority habitats for higher-priority habitats," says
Kopchik. "It's a compromise between meeting the needs of development while
protecting our resources."
Under the plan, areas declared critical for conservation—such as those
with vernal pools, native grasslands, oak woodland, or streams—will be
purchased from willing sellers. The plan emphasizes the expansion of existing
protected areas such as Mount Diablo State Park and Black Diamond Mines and
Morgan Territory regional preserves. Wildlife corridors will be protected,
as will the habitat of species such as the threatened Alameda whipsnake.
"
An HCP allows us to look beyond protecting postage-stamp parcels to preserving
landscapes," says Lech Naumovich, conservation analyst for the California
Native Plant Society's East Bay chapter. The county planning department has
already raised $8 million for land purchases under the HCP.
And why are developers on board? They'll be given fast-track permits for
up to 11,853 acres of urban development. In exchange, they will have to purchase
land for, or contribute cash to, the HCP agency. These mitigation funds will
be used for the acquisition of between 23,800 to 30,300 acres of protected
lands. Land acquisition will account for two-thirds of the $350 million estimated
cost of the program over its 30-year term.
"
Local development has regional impacts, so it makes sense to have an overarching
plan," says Elizabeth Stampe of Greenbelt Alliance, a group that supported
the HCP. "Now we'll see how the implementation goes." To learn more
go to the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan Association (HCPA).
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