matt freeman at november 2012 gathering
DESCRIPTION
We convened a Gathering entitled 'Managing Land with Science in Hand' and this is the presentation from Matt Freeman (from Santa Clara County Open Space Authority). More about the event on our blog: http://openspacecouncil.typepad.com/bay-area-open-space-council/2012/11/liveblogging-from-the-harvest-gathering.htmlTRANSCRIPT
Santa Clara Valley Habitat Conservation Plan / Natural Communities Conservation Plan:
Conservation Planning and Management Highlights
Bay Area Open Space Council Fall GatheringNovember 15, 2012
Santa Clara Valley Habitat Conservation Plan / Natural Communities Conservation Plan
What is the Habitat Plan?
Mitigation and Conservation Plan for Development in the Santa Clara Valley
Programmatic Endangered Species Permitting 50-Year Timeframe
o Plan conserves habitats and species in exchange for permit to “take” threatened and endangered species
o Complies with Federal Endangered Species Act and California NCCP Act
Provides Numerous Benefits o Establishes local and streamlined permitting processo Addresses cumulative impactso Results in landscape-level conservation strategy
Santa Clara Valley Habitat Conservation Plan / Natural Communities Conservation Plan
Santa Clara Valley Habitat Conservation Plan / Natural Communities Conservation Plan
HCP Planning Area
Who is Involved?
Local Partnerso County of Santa Clara, Valley Transit Authority, Santa Clara
Valley Water District, and Cities of San Jose, Morgan Hill & Gilroy
Local “Participating Special Entity”o Santa Clara County Open Space Authority
Wildlife Agencieso U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serviceo California Department of Fish and Game
Regulatory Agencieso U.S. Army Corps of Engineerso Regional Water Quality Control Board?
Santa Clara Valley Habitat Conservation Plan / Natural Communities Conservation Plan
Invertebrates Bay checkerspot butterfly
PlantsTiburon Indian paintbrushCoyote ceanothusMount Hamilton thistleSanta Clara Valley dudleyaFragrant fritillarySmooth lessingiaMetcalf Canyon jewelflowerMost beautiful jewelflowerLoma Prieta hoita
Covered Species
Amphibians and Reptiles California tiger salamanderCalifornia red-legged frogFoothill yellow-legged frogWestern pond turtle
Birds Western burrowing owl Least Bell’s vireoTricolored blackbird
MammalsSan Joaquin kit fox
Santa Clara Valley Habitat Conservation Plan / Natural Communities Conservation Plan
Conservation Strategy Goals
Santa Clara Valley Habitat Conservation Plan / Natural Communities Conservation Plan
Creation of a Reserve System
Landscape Connectivity and Regional Connections Between Protected Areas
Long-term Management and Enhancement of Natural Communities
Development of a Comprehensive Aquatic Conservation Strategy
Adaptive Management and Monitoring Program
Avoidance and Minimization Measures on Covered Activities
Reserve System Highlights
Santa Clara Valley Habitat Conservation Plan / Natural Communities Conservation Plan
Reserve System will cover ~ 46,920 acres:o Acquisition of 33,629 acres from willing sellers
o Contribution of 12,291 acres from the County
o Contribution of 1,000+ acres from the Open Space Authority
Focused on Highest-Quality Habitat
Includes Landscape Linkages and Wildlife Corridors
Provides Climate Resilience
Protects 100 miles of Streams
Santa Clara Valley Habitat Conservation Plan / Natural Communities Conservation Plan
Reserve Design Conservation Strategy
Reserve Management Goals and Objectives
Santa Clara Valley Habitat Conservation Plan / Natural Communities Conservation Plan
Landscape Level ExampleProtect and maintain natural landscapes…
o Enhance 33,000 acres of terrestrial and aquatic land cover, and restore 90 – 500 acres of riparian, wetlands, and ponds
Natural CommunitiesMaintain and enhance grassland communities…
o Protect 4,130 acres of serpentine grasslando Protect 13,000 acres of annual grassland in a diversity of
soils and env gradients
SpeciesIncrease size and sustainability of burrowing owl population…
o Protect 21,310 acres of overwintering habitat and protect manage 5,300 acres of nesting habitat on the Valley floor
o Enhance 800 acres nesting habitat in the Gilroy conservation region to promote owl expansion within HCP area
Implement Comprehensive Adaptive Management and Monitoring Program
Plan Implementation
Santa Clara Valley Habitat Conservation Plan / Natural Communities Conservation Plan
JPA will be established to form the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency• Governing Board will establish budget and fees
o 8 members – 2 elected officials from each agency
o Comprised of County, San Jose, Gilroy, and Morgan Hill
• Implementing Board will oversee Plan operationo 11 members – 2 each from County, Gilroy, Morgan Hill, San Jose, SCVWD & one from VTA
Technical Advisory Committee will advise the Implementing Board• USFWS, CDFG and Local Agencies
• Science Advisors
Public Advisory Committee
Plan Implementation Cost: $658,000,000 over 50 years
Resources
Habitat Plan documents & further information:
www.scv-habitatplan.org
A Conservation Vision: Water, Wildlife, and Working Lands (Open Space Authority Greenprint)
www.cvw3.org
Santa Clara Valley Habitat Conservation Plan / Natural Communities Conservation Plan