Title
Receive a status update regarding Oak Woodland Conservation Plan project on the former Fort Ord and forward a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors regarding the Oak Woodland Conservation Plan area concepts.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Fort Ord Committee:
a. Receive a status update regarding Oak Woodland Conservation Plan project on the former Fort Ord; and
b. Forward a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors regarding the Oak Woodland Conservation Plan area concepts.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On October 26, 2017, the Fort Ord Committee (FOC) received a status update report on the Oak Woodland Conservation Plan (OWCP) project and provided input on three draft alternative conservation area concept options.
On November 16, 2017, the Seaside City Council received a presentation and discussed the OWCP project. The City of Seaside staff and project consultant, Denise Duffy & Associates, are working to develop an alternative(s) based on input from the City Council and on-going discussions at the City.
In December 2017, DD&A completed the Final Biological Baseline Report for the Oak Woodland Conservation Area Project, available at http://oakwoodlands.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Final-Baseline-Bio-Report_OWCP_Dec-2017.pdf.
On January 25, 2018, the FOC received a verbal update on OWCP project, and requested that staff return to the committee at its next meeting to provide the updated alternative concepts that reflect the committees input in October 2017. See Attachment 1 for the Oak Woodland Conservation Plan area concepts.
Staff is in the process of evaluating the various Base Reuse Plan (BRP) and County policies, mitigations, and relevant agreements pertaining to oak conservation on the former Fort Ord lands for consideration. For example, staff is trying to determine if the Parker Flats/Oak Oval parcels that were part of the Land Swap for the East Garrison development can be used to meet the BRP policy. This analysis will guide: decision-making for the establishment of the OWCP area; develop of an Oak Woodland Management and Monitoring Plans (MMPs); cost and revenue analysis for oak woodland management; appropriate accounting of oak woodland protection efforts; and environmental review. Staff anticipates presenting the Fort Ord Committee’s recommendation regarding the OWCP area concepts to the Board of Supervisors in the coming months.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
FORA entered a contract with DD&A to assist the County and City of Seaside to complete the Oak Woodlands Conservation Planning effort. FORA is also assisting the jurisdictions in coordination and public outreach (www.oakwoodlands.org). The County, City, FORA, and DD&A have met with the City of Marina, CSUMB, MPC, and UCFONR to discuss potential conservation areas and constraints with property owners.
FINANCING:
In the future, the implementation of the OWMMP will require funding. The amount and the entity responsible for such funding have not yet been determined, and will be the subject of future discussion as the OWCP is developed. Management costs are expected to be highest in the first year to conduct baseline surveys and identify parcel-specific needs. Based on the County’s budget for interim habitat management of a Habitat Management Parcel plus general costs associated with dumping clean-up, which requirements are likely to be similar to anticipated costs to implement the MMP requirements for the OWCP area, staff estimates approximately $165 per acre for annual maintenance of the OWCP area. The more acreage included in the OWCP area, the higher the annual maintenance costs will be.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The recommended action complies with the Board’s FY15-16 Strategic Initiative for Infrastructure, “Plan and develop a sustainable physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results,” by implementing the Key Objective to “promote the use of best environmental practices for County facilities and operations.” Designation of an Oak Woodland Conservation Area will provide oak protection areas to mitigate for impact of development projects in the former Fort Ord area while providing habitat and open space.
X Economic Development
__ Administration
__ Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
__ Public Safety
Prepared by: Melanie Beretti, Special Programs Manager (x5285)
Approved by: Carl P. Holm, AICP, Acting RMA Director (x5103)
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Oak Woodland Conservation Plan Preliminary Alternative Concepts