SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL LAND STRATEGY GRANT APPLICATION CHECKLIST

Transcription

1 Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy Grants SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL LAND STRATEGY GRANT APPLICATION CHECKLIST ALL GRANT APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: Please indicate with a checkmark that these items are included in your application. Items with asterisks* samples of these documents are available on the DOC website. X X X X X X X X Completed Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy Grant Application Checklist (this document) Completed Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy Grant Application Cover Sheet Application Questions (8 page maximum) Work Plan including Work Plan Summary (3 page maximum) Budget Location Map (of the area to be covered by the plan) Letters from Partners Documenting their Participation Signed Resolution from Governing Bodies ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS: Please provide these supporting documents. Relevant Portions of the County General Plan (cite or submit via digital attachment ) Name and Approval Date of General Plan Section(s): Butte County General Plan Agriculture Element, November 6, 2012, Goal AG 2 and Policies AG P2.1 through Ag P2.6 and Actions AG A2.1 and AG A2.2 Internet Link(s) to Current General Plan Documents: SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL LANDS CONSERVATION PROGRAM 4 Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy Grant Application

2 Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy Grants SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL LAND STRATEGY GRANT APPLICATION COVER SHEET Project Title Location (County and/or City) Butte County Senate District Number: 4 th Disadvantaged Communities Status 1 Assembly District Numbers: 2 nd and 3 rd N/A Grant Request Amount 100,000 Matching Funds Pending 5,000 Matching Funds Committed 5,000 Total Estimated Project Cost 110,000 Applicant Name 2 Department/Office Butte County Department of Development Services Federal Employer ID Number Mailing Address 7 County Center Drive Oroville, CA Contact Person Title Tim Snellings Director Phone Number Address tsnellings@buttecounty.net Fax Number For additional information please refer to the SALCP Guidelines, page 7 of this form, and the CalEnviroScreen tool of the highest ranking Disadvantaged Communities at 2 For the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Strategy component of the SALCP, applicants are limited to local governments with partners. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL LANDS CONSERVATION PROGRAM 5 Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy Grant Application

3 Need for the Proposed Plan or Strategy BUTTE COUNTY APPLICATION QUESTIONS Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program 1. Describe why a sustainable farmland plan or strategy is needed for the area covered by this application. Provide supporting information in the form of agricultural land resource conversion studies or other data. Response: Butte County is a major producer of a wide variety of farm products, with rice, walnuts and almonds representing the top three agricultural products. In 2010, Butte County ranked 17 th in overall value of agricultural production among California s 58 Counties. Agriculture is important not only to Butte County s economy, but also to its way of life. Butte County s General Plan recognizes the central role agriculture plays in the physical, economic and cultural character of Butte County. At the same time, the County realizes the potential risks of conversion of this important resource. According to the Butte County Land Use Summary provided by the California Department of Conservation Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program, average loss of important farmland during this 6 year period totaled 1,248 acres per year. Land has been converting to urban uses at a steady rate since 1988, although the period since 2000 has experienced an increase in this rate. Geographically, a large portion of Butte County is located in the fertile Sacramento Valley. The estimated gross value of agricultural production in Butte County for 2013 totaled $869,594,761. This is a $ million increase over the 2012 gross value total of $721,434,000. Butte County needs a multi faceted approach to conserve this agricultural resource and maintain its economic base into the future. At the same time, Butte County envisions a future where the agricultural industry operates sustainably, encompassing best management practices that will help to reduce industry wide greenhouse gas emissions, capitalizes on agriculture s benefit in sequestering carbon, and adapts to the demands of a changing climate. Although agriculture is the largest sector in the community inventory, when compared acre by acre to urban uses, agriculture is a lower overall producer of GHG emissions. Agriculture s contribution to the community GHG inventory reflects the large extent of agriculture in Butte County, with over 500,000 acres in some form of agricultural production. In 2006, agricultural practices emitted less than 1 MTCO 2 e (metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents) per acre of existing agricultural land. In comparison, when looking at total existing residential and nonresidential acreage, average energy use resulted in more than 6 MTCO 2 e per acre. These results indicate that each average acre of new residential, commercial, or industrial land could result in emissions of up to nine times that of an acre of agricultural land. This information focuses solely on inventoried sectors in the Butte community inventory that are easily allocated to land use types. But in general, agricultural land can be up to 100 times less intensive than urban land when accounting for all inventory emissions. Agriculture is an important GHG emissions source to be considered and quantified at the local, state, and federal levels. Nationwide, agricultural activities were the single largest source of all nitrous oxide Butte County Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy Grant Application Questions Page 1

4 (N 2 O) emissions, contributing almost 68% of all N 2 O. Further, agriculture contributes approximately 30% of all methane (CH 4 ) emissions nationwide. (US Environmental Protection Agency 2011). The agricultural sector is an important local leader in achieving emissions reductions, and reducing through achievable practices is supported by the Butte County Climate Action Plan. Agricultural practices implemented to date have also resulted in significant GHG savings for the County. Quantifying GHG emissions reductions in this sector underscores the importance of County efforts to preserve agricultural land for its valuable contributions to GHG emissions reduction and sustainability. 2. Describe the existing state of agricultural land use planning policies within the area, including Williamson Act status. Discuss any documents in need of update or replacement, or policy gaps that would be informed by the results of this proposal. Response: Butte County participates in the State of California Land Conservation Act agricultural land preservation program, also known as the Williamson Act. As of 2011, 1,450 parcels and 218,695 acres were entered into Williamson Act Contracts, totaling approximately 20 percent of the County s gross acreage. Butte County last updated its Williamson Act Rules on August 6, The Department of Development Services, which provides administrative oversight for the Williamson Act s implementation in Butte County, needs additional assistance in creating a cohesive data base on the status, location, and record keeping information for all of the contracts administered by the County. Butte County s Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy will build on the existing work completed by the County s CAP, comprehensive General Plan update, Zoning Ordinance, and Draft Agricultural Mitigation Ordinance currently under review. The County s CAP will be reviewed for programs that will compliment and uphold the County s strategy. In addition, under this proposal, Butte County will develop best practices for a model sustainable farm. This effort will complement and enhance strategies to reduce GHG emissions contained in Butte County s CAP. The proposal will seek a wide variety of input from local experts who will help to develop a framework of best practices that sustain natural resources and reduce GHG. The Draft Agricultural Mitigation Ordinance (AMO), which is proposing a 2:1 mitigation ratio for any agriculturally designated land converted to non agricultural designations is undergoing review by the Board of Supervisors at this time and would benefit from the work undertaken under this proposal. Work completed on the county s AMO effort to date has highlighted the need to complete a more comprehensive inventory of lands that are already permanently protected through habitat and agricultural conservation easements. A Sustainable Agricultural Plan for Butte County will help to coordinate and link efforts included in the General Plan, Draft Agriculture Mitigation Ordinance and Climate Action Plan into a consistent and cohesive strategy. 3. Describe how the proposed plan will serve areas that are especially vulnerable to development pressures or climate change impacts. Response: Although primarily a rural county, unincorporated Butte County receives development pressure from four municipalities located primarily in the fertile valley region of the County. Traditionally, urban development in Butte County has been concentrated in the urban areas formed by the county s five Butte County Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy Grant Application Questions Page 2

5 incorporated communities: Biggs, Chico, Gridley, Oroville and Paradise. More recent development activity has taken place on the periphery of these established communities. In addition, since the 1970s there has been a sharp increase in the amount of development occurring throughout the foothill areas of the county. This development has been associated with an influx of retirement age residents who moved to Butte County specifically to enjoy its rural setting, away from the urban centers and take advantage of a lower cost of living. In the five years leading up to the great recession of 2008, the unincorporated portion of Butte County experienced greater amounts of residential development spurred by the statewide demand for housing. Since that time growth rates have slowed due to the downturn in the economy. Butte County is now uniquely situated to plan for new growth pressure, with current General Plan policies supporting infill and the conservation of agricultural land. A Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy will serve to support on going conservation efforts and promote conservation throughout the General Plan s horizon of 2030, and beyond. 4. Describe the anticipated effects of climate change (e.g., physical, ecological, or economic forces) that are likely to impact the community represented by the application and its agricultural land resources. Response: Even with efforts to mitigate GHG emissions, climate change will have substantial effects on precipitation, temperature, and weather patterns. Butte County s location and agricultural heritage make it critically important that the County prepare for future climate conditions. Agriculture is the heart of Butte County s heritage and economy. Maintaining the economic viability of agriculture is critical to the continued health and prosperity of the county. More so than in other economic sectors, agricultural success is deeply rooted in prevailing climate conditions. Changes to water access, growing season length, and weed and pest populations are examples of a large list of changes the agricultural community may face under a changing climate. Crops vary in their vulnerability to various climate related impacts, such as increasing temperature, declining water availability and reduced air quality. In general, agricultural impacts associated with a warming climate may include the following: Crop yield changes Changes in crop types and cultivars New weed invasions and expanded ranges of existing weeds New pest invasions and expanded ranges of existing pests Flooding and crop pollination changes Heat waves and heat stress resulting in low crop quality and/or low crop yields Butte County Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy Grant Application Questions Page 3

6 5. Describe any aspects of the proposal that provide the potential for innovative approaches to agricultural land conservation that may serve as a model to other jurisdictions. Response: The proposal will include the development of Model Sustainable Farm Practices. This work product will involve the development of the best management practices in sustainability for major farming types, including cropland, range, and grazing land. This effort will build upon programs contained in Butte County s Climate Action Plan. The proposal will seek a wide variety of input from local experts who will help to develop a framework of best practices that sustain natural resources and reduce GHG. Experts will be questioned from various fields and agencies, including UC Davis Farm Extension, UC Davis Rice Experimentation Station, Chico State University, Butte College, Butte County Agriculture Commissioner s Office, California Air Resources Board, Natural Resource Conservation Service, agricultural water providers, and other regional County Jurisdictions. Strategies may include but not be limited to crop rotation, cover crops, soil enrichment, pest management, energy use, and water use. On going monitoring of the Butte County Climate Action Plan currently underway will also assist in data collection to document on farm agricultural management practices targeted to reduce GHG emissions and enhance biological carbon sequestration. Integration of Entities and Existing Resources 1. Describe how the proposed plan will provide linkages between existing local policies and plans to reduce GHG emissions. Response: The proposed plan will utilize data and policy direction from the Butte County General Plan and related Environmental Impact Reports, Draft Agriculture Mitigation Ordinance currently underway, Right to Farm Ordinance, and Butte County Climate Action Plan. Additionally, the Butte County Zoning Ordinance contains a number of strategies that together help to encourage sustainable agricultural practices including agricultural buffers, the Unique Agriculture Overlay Zone, and Renewable Energy zoning regulations. Working with these existing tools and proposing new ones a strategy can develop that will preserve, protect and enhance agriculture in Butte County. 2. Describe what agricultural and land resource factors will be evaluated as part of this proposal, including opportunities for integrating agricultural land conservation efforts with other protected land strategies. Assessment of agricultural lands at risk Inventory of Williamson Act Contracts Coordination with Dept. of Conservation Farmland Mapping & Agricultural Commissioner s office on agricultural resource mapping Irrigated and non irrigated crops Butte Region Soil Survey Local and regional trends in farming Adaptation Strategies and trends in Butte County Butte County Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy Grant Application Questions Page 4

7 Central Valley Flood Protection Plan, Flood Maps Agricultural processing sites in Butte County Renewable Energy Overlay Zone Conservation Easements 3. Describe the local policies and ordinances the plan will seek to align. What methods will be used to resolve compatibility issues between these policies and ordinances? The following local plans and ordinance will be reviewed for alignment under the project: Butte County General Plan and Zoning Ordinance Climate Action Plan Williamson Act Implementing Resolution (Policy, Procedures and Rules Declaration) Draft Agricultural Mitigation Ordinance The project will be informed by policy level planning documents adopted by the County, including the Butte County General Plan adopted in 2010 and amended in 2012 and the Climate Action Plan, adopted in The project will seek to implement strategies that enhance and conform to the Butte County General Plan s Vision Statement, Guiding Principles, Agriculture Element, Land Use Element and Conservation Element. Conflicts in local ordinances will be reviewed, with the General Plan providing the highest level of guidance in finding resolutions. Staff recommendations will be made with guidance provided by higher level decision making bodies such as the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors, as well as recommendations from the stakeholder group. 4. Describe what is planned to foster interagency relationships among levels of local government in the development of agricultural resource plans or strategies. Stakeholder Group Meetings Discussion at Planning Director Meetings facilitated by the Butte County Association of Governments (BCAG), meetings typically include key planning staff from all cities, Butte LAFCO, and BCAG Periodic updates to County Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission Butte County Development Department Head Meetings Meetings with City staff and leadership Outreach to local Land Trusts 5. Describe how the proposed plan will be consistent with the State s planning priorities. Describe how the proposal will consider integrating currently permanently protected agricultural land or other permanently protected lands (e.g., habitat conservation easement, flood corridor easements, or parks). Butte County s proposal will seek to develop a shared approach that will merge strategies for the conservation of the variety of landscapes found in agricultural settings. Many aspects of farming and Butte County Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy Grant Application Questions Page 5

8 resource protection are complimentary to greenhouse gas reduction. The proposal will identify areas of shared goals and complimentary management practices, building upon efforts set forth under the County s Climate Action Plan, General Plan and Draft Agriculture Mitigation Ordinance. Lands identified as being under permanent protection will be identified under the proposed Priority Base Map. This map will help to inform efforts to implement Butte County s Agricultural Mitigation Ordinance process and identify those areas where mitigation efforts will be most valuable based upon connectivity to other protected lands, lands at risk of conversion, and areas of strategic importance in protecting agricultural resources. Community Impact and Participation 1. Identify the specific community, citizen, and/or agricultural organizations that will participate in and those which will be consulted regarding the development of the plan or strategy. Identified as participating: Butte Environmental Council Butte County Resource Conservation District UC Davis Cooperative Extension Butte County Farm Advisor Requested to participate and will be consulted: Butte County Farm Bureau Northern California Regional Land Trust To be consulted: Butte County Cattleman/Women Sierra Club, Yahi Group The Nature Conservancy Valley Contractors Exchange Chico State University Butte College 2. What steps are planned to ensure continued involvement of these organizations in the implementation of the plan or strategy? The project will include the formation of a stakeholder group that will include representation from participating entities. The group will meet a total of four times (or more if warranted) to help frame issues, review draft work, and develop recommendations for review by decision makers. The County will use specific outreach to key individuals through , website links and updates at public hearings. Stakeholder group members will be asked to communicate issues and information to their constituents and members to ensure that networking on the project is provided to a wide variety of community members. DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY IMPACTS 3. Is the majority (50% or more) of the proposed project area located within one or more Disadvantaged Community (DAC), as defined by CalEPA for the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Butte County Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy Grant Application Questions Page 6

9 Communities Program? Please use the CalEnviroScreen tool to make this determination, located at the following address: Response: No. 4. If the answer to question 3 is no, will the project meet at least one of the following criteria for providing direct, meaningful, and assured benefits to a DAC? Response: No. Project is accessible by walking within ½ mile of a DAC and reduces vehicles miles travelled, and is designed to avoid displacement of DAC residents and businesses. Response: No. The project is not accessible by walking within ½ mile of a DAC. The City of Oroville s South Oroville DAC is located within their Sphere of Influence, within an unincorporated portion of Butte County. The sustainable agricultural land strategy will help to preserve agricultural land and protect agricultural land from future conversion to non agricultural uses and urban development. In this way urban sprawl is reduced, encouraging private investment in existing urban areas, brownfields and infill sites. From a long term standpoint this will have the overall effect of reducing traffic trips and encouraging private investment in DACs and other areas where development is permitted and encouraged under the General Plan. Project includes recruitment, agreements, policies or other approaches that are consistent with federal and state law and result in at least 25% of project work hours performed by residents of a DAC. Response: No. Project includes recruitment, agreements, policies or other approaches that are consistent with federal and state law and result in at least 10% of project work hours performed by residents of a DAC participating in job training programs which lead to industry recognized credentials or certifications. Response: No. Organizational Capacity 1. Describe the applicant s experience in developing plans or working on similar projects. Work related to grants includes the Oroville Greening Grant In collaboration with the City of Oroville and the Feather River Recreation and Park District (FRRPD), and in coordination with other local agencies, Butte County is completing a Master Greening Plan to serve as the master document guiding and coordinating greening projects in the Oroville urban area. Funding for this project was provided by Proposition 84 to improve the Sustainability and Livability of California s Communities, through the Strategic Growth Council s Urban Greening for Sustainable Communities grant program. The Plan crosses City, County and FRRPD jurisdictional boundaries, and will be consistent with the state s strategic growth goals of increasing forest canopy, reducing stormwater runoff, improving air and water quality, Butte County Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy Grant Application Questions Page 7

10 conserving energy, providing open space, and achieving long term community sustainability. Plan adoption is expected in the winter of Does the applicant have the professional staff qualified to develop the plan? If not, how will this expertise be acquired? Please describe the qualifications and plan, if any, to acquire the expertise. The Butte County Department of Development Services includes 5 full time professional planners and 1 three quarters time planner. Expertise will be available from the planned stakeholder group and from private consultants. The project manager for this project is certified under the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). Specific expertise will be sought through consultants for GIS analysis and mapping, best management practices and techniques for sustainable farming, and for development of the plan itself. The County additionally has its own Information Systems Department, supporting a powerful GIS system that can be drawn upon for analysis and mapping needs. Development Services will hire a consultant, through a contract process, with strong report writing skills, local knowledge and familiarity with the General Plan Update, and local conditions. The chosen consultant will be used to analyze, assemble and write the final Butte County Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy. 3. What partnerships does the applicant have in place to implement the plan or strategy? The Department of Development Services has built strong working partnerships with agricultural, environmental and development interest groups including the Farm Bureau, the Butte Environmental Council and building industry. Most recently, the County concluded a two year process involving a stakeholder group for drafting the Agricultural Mitigation Ordinance. The Department of Development Services will draw upon this same group, and others to partner on the Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy. Local and regional expertise shall be sought in developing sustainable farm practices and other aspects of the plan. 4. Citing the Work Plan Budget, what resources does the proposal leverage beyond the minimum match requirements? The County has a number of important resources at its disposal that will contribute value beyond the minimum match requirements. The Stakeholder Committee in particular will consist of a group of experts in a variety of fields that will contribute freely of their time and draw upon their respective agencies and groups for resources and support. Other Butte County department staff will also be consulted during the process including the County s GIS platform supported by the Information Services Department, Farm Extension Office, the Agriculture Commissioner s Office, County Administration, and staff related to the Williamson Act s administration including the County Assessor, Tax Collector and Land Conservation Act Committee. The County s Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission will be drawn upon for recommendations and decision making skills during the planned public workshops. The County will reach out to regional experts to determine best practices and technical knowledge such as UC Davis, CSU Chico, Butte College, and local agricultural water service providers to name a few. The County also contributes a professional and credentialed planning staff well versed in grant funded projects and in developing plans and County wide projects. County facilities will support stakeholder meetings, workshops, and hearings, including audio visual, web based, and digital media support. Butte County Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy Grant Application Questions Page 8

11 BUTTE COUNTY SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL LAND STRATEGY GRANT APPLICATION PROJECT DESCRIPTION Butte County completed a comprehensive General Plan update process in 2010 and Zoning Ordinance update in These processes served to identify agricultural lands to be protected, and identified specific growth areas of the County where limited conversion of agricultural land would take place, to ensure that communities in the County developed adjacent to existing services and infrastructure and in close proximity to jobs, schools, and recreational opportunities. The Butte County General Plan uses a variety of strategies to protect the County s agricultural resources. The General Plan set a minimum parcel size of 20 acres for agriculturally designated land. The General Plan also incorporates other strategies such as urban service boundaries (Chico Area Greenline), the Draft Agriculture Mitigation Ordinance, the Unique Agriculture Overlay Zone, the Agriculture Element, the Land Use Element, the Land Use Map, the Conservation Element, the Williamson Act, Agricultural Buffer policy the Zoning Ordinance, and the Right to Farm Ordinance. The proposal under this Grant will help to coordinate all of the current strategies, as well as to develop new strategies and coordinate an overall approach to protect, maintain, promote and enhance agricultural land in Butte County, as supported by the General Plan. The strategy will also help to supplement existing efforts to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions and mitigate the loss of agricultural land as identified under Butte County s Climate Action Plan, and as currently proposed under the County s Draft Agriculture Mitigation Ordinance effort, both of which are described below. Draft Agriculture Mitigation Ordinance Pursuant to General Plan direction, the County has pursued the preparation of an Agricultural Mitigation Ordinance (AMO) proposing a 2:1 ratio of farmland protected for each acre of development proposed in Agricultural zones. This effort included 5 stakeholder group meetings, and additional focus group meetings with environmental groups, farming groups, city staffs, and developers. Additionally the Planning Commission held two public hearings and made recommendations for approval to the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors reviewed the Draft Ordinance in March, 2014, and continued the hearing open pending further information from staff, including additional information on the status of agricultural land protection in Butte County. The proposed Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy will help to inform the Draft AMO process, and provide the additional information needed for further action. Work completed on the county s AMO effort to date has highlighted the need to complete a more comprehensive inventory of lands that are already permanently protected through habitat and agricultural conservation easements. Additionally, the county s Williamson act program needs a comprehensive inventory to update contract status, mapping and ownership information. In support of local land trust s efforts to secure agricultural conservation easements that are consistent with the County s strategy, Butte County s Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy will help to provide outreach to property owners on the benefits of participating in an Agricultural Conservation Easement program through the development of a brochure, website and specific outreach to landowners. Butte County Agricultural Land Strategy Grant Project Description Page 1

12 Butte County Climate Action Plan The Butte County Climate Action Plan (CAP), adopted in February, 2014, mitigates environmental impacts under CEQA for GHG emissions associated with the General Plan s implementation. The CAP also complies with statewide GHG emissions reduction goals identified in Assembly Bill (AB) 32 and Senate Bill (SB) 375. Programs and actions in the CAP will help the County sustain its natural resources, grow efficiently, ensure long term resiliency to a changing environmental and economic climate, and improve transportation. The CAP s overall goal is to accomplish a 15 percent reduction of 2006 GHG emissions by 2020 pursuant to State guidelines. Pursuant to the Butte CAP, although agriculture is the largest sector in the community greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory, when compared acre by acre to urban uses, agriculture is a lower producer of GHG emissions overall. Agriculture s contribution to the community inventory reflects the large extent of agriculture in Butte County, with over 500,000 acres in some form of agricultural production. In 2006, agricultural practices emitted less than 1 MTCO2e (metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents) per acre of existing agricultural land. In comparison, when looking at total existing residential and nonresidential acreage, average energy use resulted in more than 6 MTCO2e per acre. These results indicate that each average acre of new residential, commercial, or industrial land could result in emissions of up to nine times that of an acre of agricultural land. This information focuses solely on inventoried sectors in the Butte community inventory that are easily allocated to land use types. But in general, agricultural land can be up to 100 times less intensive than urban land when accounting for all inventory emissions. The Butte CAP highlights the important role agriculture has to play locally and regionally in reducing GHG emissions, and sequestering carbon emissions. Butte County s Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy will build on the existing work completed by the County s CAP, comprehensive General Plan update, Zoning Ordinance, and Draft Agricultural Mitigation Ordinance currently under review. The County s CAP will be reviewed for programs that will compliment and uphold the County s strategy. In addition, under this proposal, Butte County will develop best practices for a model sustainable farm. This effort will complement and enhance strategies to reduce GHG emissions contained in Butte County s CAP. The proposal will seek a wide variety of input from local experts who will help to develop a framework of best practices that sustain natural resources and reduce GHG. Butte County s Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy will identify and fill in gaps in current information, programs and strategies. Starting with the foundation provided by the Butte County General Plan, a Priority Base Map will be developed that will help to identify those lands at greatest risk of conversion. This base map will be used as a tool to help frame Butte County s overall strategy. A Stakeholder Group will be assembled to study issues, identify areas needing improvement, review Model Farm Practices and review and make recommendations for the Draft Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy. Two workshops are proposed, one with the Butte County Planning Commission and one with the Butte County Board of Supervisors. After recommendations from these workshops are incorporated into the final strategy, the Board of Supervisors will consider the adoption of a Resolution approving and supporting the Butte County Agricultural Land Strategy. End Butte County Agricultural Land Strategy Grant Project Description Page 2

13 Butte County Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy - Work Plan High Level Activities/Milestones (with Deliverables) Task 1 Criteria Identification The development of a fine grained level of criteria and mapping, based upon Assessor Parcel Number, to define and delineate agricultural lands with the greatest local priorities for conservation. This includes lands that are under pressure of being converted to nonagricultural uses, particularly those adjacent to areas most at risk of urban or suburban sprawl, those that also exhibit special environmental significance, or those that may result in enhanced carbon sequestration depending on the cropping and management of the protected lands. Staff will coordinate separate efforts to complete a protected lands inventory, consisting of lands that are already permanently protected through habitat and agricultural conservation easements or other protection, a Williamson Act Contract inventory, consisting of assembling the contract status and mapping elements for all Williamson Act contracts in the County, and merging this information with existing General Plan Designations and Zones to develop a Priority Map showing areas with the greatest priority for conservation. Sub Task 1 A, Agricultural Lands Base Map A comprehensive base map will be developed, including the preparation of GIS shape files, and a tabular database that will identify agricultural land use types utilizing DOC Farmland map types, Agricultural Commissioner data on crop types, Soil Survey map types, irrigated nonirrigated status, Central Valley Flood Protection Plan mapping, and other sources of information to be investigated for inclusion as appropriate. Sub Task 1 B, Protected Lands Inventory A comprehensive map will be developed, including the preparation of GIS shape files that will identify habitat and agricultural conservation easements in the County, including lands that may be permanently protected by other means. The effort will include a tabular data base identifying uses, easement type, and property owners if available. Sub Task 1 C, Williamson Act Contract Inventory A comprehensive map will be developed, including the preparation of GIS shape files that will identify all of the Williamson Act Contracts within the County. The effort will draw upon existing mapping and County Williamson Act contract records. The map will include tabular data identifying contract status, landowner, contract type, crop type, and other pertinent information. As part of this process the stakeholder group will review existing information and provide recommendations for future improvements to the implementation of the Williamson Act in Butte County. Sub Task 1 D, Priority Base Map Based upon efforts under Sub Task A thru C, a Priority Base Map will be developed showing agricultural areas prone to threats and in greatest need of conservation efforts. This map will include the preparation of Responsible Parties Butte County Department of Development Services; Butte County Information Systems GIS; CSU Chico Geographic Information Center; Agriculture Commissioner Timetable in Months Month 1 8 Month 1 6 Month 1 6 Month 1 8 Month 1 8

14 GIS shape files to allow the Priority Base Map to be combined with a variety of differing layers in the County s GIS system. Additional mapping products will be produced from the Priority Base Map in support of, and in preparation of, the Draft Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy. Task 2 Stakeholder Group Meetings A Stakeholder Group will be assembled to study issues, identify areas needing improvement, review Model Farm Practices and review and make recommendations for the Draft Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy. The Stakeholder Group will be made up of representatives from the Butte County Farm Bureau, Butte County Cattlemen/Women, Farm Advisors Office, City and County Planning Staff, Butte County Association of Governments, USDA/Farm Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Local Agency Formation Commission, local Land Trusts, Butte County Resource Conservation District, agricultural water providers and irrigation districts, conservation and environmental interests, and developer interests. A representative from the County s Land Conservation Act (Williamson Act) Committee will also be included. Representatives from the Board of Supervisors and local City Councils will also be invited to attend meetings. The Stakeholder Group will hold meetings to study issues, identify needs, review products, and make recommendations. Stakeholder Group Study Sessions Four Stakeholder Group Study Sessions will be held for the following purposes: 1. Initiation of Project Review of existing programs and proposed project; Issue Identification 2. Review of Priority Base Map and develop recommendations 3. Review Model Farm Practices and develop recommendations 4. Review Draft Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy and develop recommendations Additional meetings may be held depending upon specific needs arising through the process. Task 3 Draft Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy Sub Task 3 A, Review Task 1 Criteria/Priority Base Map and County General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, Climate Action Plan The work products generated from Task 1 will be reviewed in light of the County General Plan, Zoning Ordinance and Climate Action Plan. Staff will identify and fill in gaps in current information, programs, and strategies. The County s CAP will be reviewed for programs that will compliment and uphold the Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy. Exhibit Maps will be generated that will support the Stakeholder Group Meetings and Public Workshops. Sub Task 3 B, Develop Model Sustainable Farm Practices This task will involve the development of the best management practices in sustainability for major farming types, including cropland, range, and grazing land. Experts will be questioned from various fields and agencies, including UC Davis Farm Extension, UC Davis Rice Experimentation Station, Chico State University, Butte College, Butte County Agriculture Commissioner s Office, California Air Resources Board, Natural Resource Butte County Department of Development Services Staff Butte County Department of Development Services Staff and Consultant Month 1 12 Month 2 Month 8 Month 9 Month 10 Month 1 12 Month 4 8 Month 1 9

15 Conservation Service and other regional County Jurisdictions. Strategies may include but not be limited to crop rotation, cover crops, soil enrichment, pest management, energy use, and water use. On going monitoring of the Butte County Climate Action Plan currently underway will also assist in data collection to document on farm agricultural management practices targeted to reduce GHG emissions and enhance biological carbon sequestration. The Model Sustainable Farm Practices will be reviewed by the Stakeholder Committee, which will provide recommendations to staff. Sub Task 3 C, Draft Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy From the work developed under Task 1, an overall strategy will be developed to focus the variety of existing and new conservation efforts in areas of the County identified as having the greatest risk of conversion to non agricultural uses. The Strategy will incorporate the Model Sustainable Farm Practices developed under Sub Task 3 B, and include a public education strategy providing approaches for outreach with local agencies and the Farm Bureau (see Sub Task 3 G below). Butte County s Draft Agriculture Mitigation Ordinance will be reviewed against the new Strategy and recommendations will be made to improve the Draft Agriculture Mitigation Ordinance and focus mitigation efforts where most needed. The Draft Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy will be reviewed by the Stakeholder Committee, the Planning Commission at a public workshop, and the Board of Supervisors at a public workshop. Sub Task 3 D, Workshops with Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors Workshops will be held at the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors in order to provide opportunities for public input, as well as to provide decision makers time to study issues and become familiar with the project. Sub Task 3 E, Final Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy The Butte County Board of Supervisors will consider the adoption of a Resolution approving and supporting a Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy. Sub Task 3 F, Website Development and Posting Develop and post the County s Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy including all relevant maps, goals, related policies and ordinances, on the County s Website. Sub Task 3 G, Agriculture Conservation Easement Brochure Development and Outreach In coordination with the County s Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy and Draft Agriculture Mitigation Ordinance, the County will prepare a brochure covering the role of local land trusts in the easement process, various aspects of the easement process and benefits of conserving the County s agricultural resources. The brochure will be made available on the County s website, as well as provided to key agricultural organizations and local land trusts for outreach to the community. Month 4 10 Month 4 10 Month 9 11 Month 4 12 Month 4 12

16 Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy Grants BUDGET This section should identify the total estimated project costs, using the budget itemization table provided below. The total estimated cost should be broken down to clearly delineate funds being requested from this program, and other commitments in the form of outside funding or donations. Project Title Personnel 4 SALCP REQUEST MATCH FUNDING 3 TOTAL FUNDING Consultant 20, ,000 10,000 Butte County Staff 50,000 (General Fund) 60,000 CSU Chico Paid Internships 30, ,000 Subtotal 100,000 10, ,000 Note: Information regarding Personnel and subcontractors is entered on page 2 of the Budget Operating Expenses (itemize/explain examples provided) Material & Supplies 0 Printing 0 Mailing and postage 0 Meeting Rental 0 County will absorb these costs as part of implementation 0 County will absorb these costs as part of implementation 0 County will absorb these costs as part of implementation 0 County will absorb these costs as part of implementation 0 Subtotal Miscellaneous (itemize/explain examples provided) Subcontractors/Consultants Match funding is required for the Sustainable Communities Agricultural Land Protection Program. Funds from multiple sources may be pooled to complete projects. Refer to the SALCP Guidelines for specifics. 4 Additional budget detail may be required upon award of funding. 5 Per Diem and travel expenses are to be wrapped into the subcontractor s/consultants hourly rate. Please refer to the Eligible Costs section in the SALCP Guidelines. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL LANDS CONSERVATION PROGRAM 9 Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy Grant Application

17 Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy Grants Subtotal TOTAL COST OF PROJECT 100,000 10, ,000 PERSONNEL AND SUBCONTRACTORS Personnel and Subcontractors required to accomplish the project should be listed in this table. NAME TITLE RATE HOURS TOTAL Tim Snellings Director Pete Calarco Assistant Director Chuck Thistlethwaite Planning Manager Dan Breedon Principal Planner Claudia Stuart Principal Planner Stacey Jolliffe Principal Planner Paid CSU Chico Intern Assistant Planner (extra help) Paid CSU Chico Intern Planning Technician (extra help) Deborah DeBrunner Senior Admin. Analyst Diane Lewellen Senior Account Clerk Kim McMillan Senior Admin. Assistant Subtotal: 89,999.3 ADDITIONAL EXPLANATIONS Please refer to the SALCP Guidelines for more information on Eligible Costs. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL LANDS CONSERVATION PROGRAM 10 Sustainable Agricultural Land Strategy Grant Application

18 BUTTE COUNTY GENERAL PLAN 2030 BUTTE MEADOWS Tehama County STIRLING CITY COHASSET FOREST RANCH ÿ99 ÿ32 Plumas County NORD p CHICO PARADISE CONCOW p p 191 ÿ YANKEE HILL Glenn County DAYTON DURHAM 162 ÿ NELSON RICHVALE BIGGS ÿ99 ÿ149 p ÿ70 ÿ70 THERMALITO OROVILLE PALERMO BERRY CREEK 162 ÿ BANGOR FORBESTOWN FEATHER FALLS CLIPPER MILLS Miles Colusa County GRIDLEY Sutter County HONCUT Yuba County Nevada County Source: Butte County GIS, p Airports Sphere of Influence Highways City/Town Limits Railroad Butte County Boundary Major Roads Other County Boundary FIGURE 3-2 PLANNING AREA

19 March 10, 2015 Tim Snellings, Director Butte County Department of Development Services 7 County Center Drive, Oroville Subject: Support for Strategic Growth Council Grant Funding for the development of a Butte County Agricultural Lands Conservation Strategy under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Dear Mr. Snellings: The Butte Environmental Council (BEC) has been made aware of Butte County s application for grant funding through the Strategic Growth Council for the development of a Butte County Agricultural Lands Conservation Strategy. Butte Environmental Council understands that the State s objectives with these funds are to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by creating more compact infill development patterns, encouraging active transportation and mass transit usage, and protecting agricultural lands. Further, Butte County wishes to use this grant opportunity to inventory and evaluate which agricultural lands are most highly productive and critically threatened and develop locally appropriate strategies, programs and actions that ensure the long term protection of those lands. This grant opportunity supports regional agricultural conservation strategies and will help to protect agricultural resources in coordination with the State s planning priorities by protecting, preserving, and enhancing the state s most valuable natural resources, including working landscapes such as farm and rangeland. Further, conservation of agricultural land will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by increasing soil carbon sequestration through the implementation and use of farm-scale conservation management practices supported by the Butte County Climate Action Plan. Therefore Butte Enviromental fully supports Butte County in this grant application. Our organization additionally wishes to participate in the development of the Butte County Agricultural Lands Conservation Strategy. Sincerely, Robyn DiFalco, Executive Director

20 Cooperative Extension Butte County March 17, 2015 Tim Snellings, Director Butte County Department of Development Services 7 County Center Drive, Oroville Subject: Support for Strategic Growth Council Grant Funding for the development of a Butte County Agricultural Lands Conservation Strategy under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Dear Mr. Snellings: The Butte County UC Cooperative Extension Office has been made aware of Butte County s application for grant funding through the Strategic Growth Council for the development of a Butte County Agricultural Lands Conservation Strategy. Butte County UC Cooperative Extension Office understands that the State s objectives with these funds are to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by creating more compact infill development patterns, encouraging active transportation and mass transit usage, and protecting agricultural lands. Further, Butte County wishes to use this grant opportunity to inventory and evaluate which agricultural lands are most highly productive and critically threatened and develop locally appropriate strategies, programs and actions that ensure the long term protection of those lands. This grant opportunity supports regional agricultural conservation strategies and will help to protect agricultural resources in coordination with the State s planning priorities by protecting, preserving, and enhancing the state s most valuable natural resources, including working landscapes such as farm and rangeland. Further, conservation of agricultural land will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by increasing soil carbon sequestration through the implementation and use of farm-scale conservation management practices supported by the Butte County Climate Action Plan. Therefore Butte County UC Cooperative Extension Office fully supports Butte County in this grant application. Butte County UC Cooperative Extension Office additionally wishes to participate in the development of the Butte County Agricultural Lands Conservation Strategy. Sincerely, Randall Mutters, Ph.D. Director Butte County Cooperative Extension 2279-B Del Oro Avenue, Oroville, CA Tel.(530) Fax (530) cebutte@ucanr.edu The University of California working in cooperation with Butte County and the USDA

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