Northern California Conservation Planning Partners Habitat Conservation Planning from Tahoe to the Bay

Transcription

1 Northern California Conservation Planning Partners Habitat Conservation Planning from Tahoe to the Bay November 16, 2011 Vacaville, CA John Roberts

2 Lessons learned from implementing habitat conservation plans

3 Bias, disclosure, viewpoint: multiple HCPs multiple species multiple governmental jurisdictions guided by a heavily litigated past in a suburban and near-urban setting very small staff from a Plan Operator perspective...

4 The HCPs we operate: were written by others others approved them others provide regulatory oversight 4

5 Lessons learned About us... Mitigation ratio is 0.5:1 Land use requirements: 50% rice 25% managed marsh 25% uplands

6 2011 BASE MAP T H E N A T O M A S B A S I N C O N S E R V A N C Y Feather River acramento River 5 Sacramento N Sacramento International Airport Cross Canal Powerline Rd. River The Natomas Basin Conservancy Mitigation Lands (by Reserve Area) North Basin Central Basin 8 Fisherman s Lake 7 Managed but not owned, with easement SUTTER CO. SACRAMENTO CO Sankey Rd a Riego Rd b Elverta Rd. Elkhorn Blvd. San Juan Rd. Del Paso Rd W. El Camino Ave. Scale in Miles (not to scale) Natomas East Main Drainage Canal Tract Acq. Date Acres 1. Alleghany (14) Atkinson (16) Bennett North (4) Bennett South (5) Betts (2) Bianchi West (28) Bolen North (23) Bolen South (24) Bolen West (26) Cummings (15) Elsie (29) Frazer (9) Frazer South (30) Huffman East (19) Huffman West (18) Kismat (3) Lucich North (6) Lucich South (7) Natomas Farms (11) Nestor (27) Rosa East (21) Rosa Central (22) Ruby Ranch (17) Sills (13) Silva (1) Souza (10) Tufts (20) Vestal (25) a. Brookfield (n) number in parentheses represents chronological order of acquisition b. Natomas Farms / NLIP (8) The Brennan tract, was acquired , subsequently exchanged on (12) The Ayala tract, was acquired on , subsequently exchanged on Portions of The Atkinson tract (6.57 acres), and the Huffman West tract (23.15 acres) were sold to the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency on for the Natomas Levee Improvement Program. A portion of the Natomas Farms tract ( acres ) was sold to the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency on for the Natomas Levee Improvement Project. TNBC Office American River The Natomas Basin Conservancy, 2011 Revision Date: 10/13/2011

7 Covered species-animals bank swallow burrowing owl Cackling goose (Aleutian Canada) California tiger salamander giant garter snake loggerhead shrike midvalley fairy shrimp northwestern pond turtle Swainson s Hawk tricolored blackbird valley elderberry longhorn beetle vernal pool fairy shrimp vernal pool tadpole shrimp western spadefoot toad white-faced ibis

8 Covered species-plants Boggs Lake hedge-hyssop Colusa grass delta tule pea legenere Sacramento Orcutt grass Sanford s arrowhead slender Orcutt grass

9 Lesson learned #1 Native grass establishment is more expensive and difficult than expected.

10 Lesson learned #2 On biological monitoring for GGS: methodology counts for a lot in terms of information yield.

11 Lesson learned #3 Especially in near-urban areas, must always think of ways to prevent and mitigate crime on preserves.

12 Lesson learned #4 Mosquito vector control management must be engaged. Early and often.

13 Lesson learned #5 Always ask: is this the softest path to achieving the desired objectives?

14 Lesson learned #6 Documenting biological effectiveness is more difficult and expensive than most think.

15 Lesson learned #7 If rice production is a part of your operation, the ability to do crop rotation will de-water selective land, but is essential for minimizing pesticide and fertilizer costs and impacts, improve soil health, improve water quality and likely end weed and insect resistance. (Must be done in a GGS-friendly manner; goal is to enhance sustainability.)

16 Lesson learned #8 Managed marsh complexes depend on it: water and regulatory compliance are very expensive.

17 Lesson learned #9 No matter the preserve is set aside as a refuge for displaced and/or protected species, the public will forever press for the most liberal access. When this happens, you end up managing for people at the expense of habitat for wildlife.

18 Lesson learned #10 At some point, it s hard, cold business decision-making that sets the stage for success.

19 Lessons learned It s not all biology A nonbiological take that has much to do with biology: Having a financial, economics and tax strategist regularly available is hugely advantageous, maybe essential, to long-term viability.

20 Lessons learned (ctd) Starting with accounting and finance strategy Just one example Two sides to the accounting coin: 1.) accounting records 2.) accounting management, including: --internal financial controls --operational reviews --risk assessment... ext

21 Lessons learned...which leads to risk assessment and management Getting disciplined about risk assessment is paramount to survival unless you have an unlimited funding source. --- Enterprise risk management

22 Everchanging ERM Risk Chart Natomas Conservancy Date HIGH GGS Predator Crime Weed Resistance Water Supply Deficit Characterization Issue mostly: Economic Biological Both LIKELIHOOD MEDIUM Market Loss Excessive HCP Fee Hiatus Airport Activity Flood Plant Pathology LOW Wildlife Health SLIGHT MODERATE SEVERE INJURY (IMPACT & D URATION)

23 Lessons learned Which leads to information gathering Using a multidisciplinary approach to HCP implementation and habitat lands management saves in the long run because it forces you to be more strategic in problem solving.

24 Lesson learned Selected experts consulted lately accountants (various specialties) aerial applicator agricultural engineer agronomist banking expert biostatistician botanist civil engineers ecology professor from Tokyo economists farmers (several) fencing contractor/consultant geologist graphic artist hydrologist investment advisor insurance expert landscape architects legal counsel (various specialties) livestock advisor mosquito abatement experts Pest Control Advisor photographer property tax consultant real estate appraiser restoration ecologists seed vendor/consultants soil scientist surveyors utility rate analyst water permit consultant well pump efficiency testing wetlands expert (renowned) wildlife biologist

25 Lessons learned Conclusion: the best lessons Each day, try to do these: 1.) create something (value) 2.) build the enterprise 3.) develop a relationship 4.) think about what s been accomplished; capture it.