Integrated Regional Conservation and Development. Avoid and Minimize Project Impacts

Integrated Regional Conservation and Development Avoid and Minimize Project Impacts Regional Conservation Plan Regional Development Plan

Integrated Regional Conservation and Development Mitigate Unavoidable Project Impacts Regional Conservation Plan Regional Development Plan Tools: Stewardship, Acquisition and Restoration

Regional Conservation Assessment Methodology An IRCAD Methods Work Group has been established and meets bi-monthly. Represented Agencies and Organizations California Biodiversity Council CA DFA CA DFW CA DWR CA DOC CA SGC Caltrans CEC TNC UC-Davis USFWS

Regional Conservation Assessment Methodology

Demonstration Projects: Inventory & Review

Demonstration Projects - HSR Regional Scale Approach - Biological Assessment - Biological Opinion - Mitigation Strategy Agency Involvement - HSR - Caltrans - CEC - USFWS - CDFW - USFS - ACE - USEPA Collaborative Process Regulatory Agencies Environmental Community 1.

Information Management and Analysis Platform

Integrated Regional Conservation and Development Program: Action Plan Focal Area 1: Focal Area 2: Focal Area 3: Focal Area 4: Development of Standards and Guidelines. Program Implementation and Demonstration. Program Institutionalization. Technology and Data Support.

Focal Area 1: Development of Standards and Guidelines. Action 1: Review the history for the development and application of regional conservation assessment methods. Deliverable: Establish multi-agency IRCAD Methods Work Group to recommend standards for CA. Schedule: This group was set up in the Spring of 2015 and meets bi-monthly. Participating agencies and organizations include representatives from the USFWS, CDFW, CDWR, CDOC, SGC, TNC, CDFA, Caltrans, CEC, UC-Davis and the CA Biodiversity Council. CBC Member Agency Involvement / Contribution: Provide representation and expertise in this Working Group to develop and document Regional Conservation Assessment standards and practices for California.

Focal Area 1: Development of Standards and Guidelines. Action 2: Document methods and standards for the implementation of Regional Conservation Assessments. Deliverable: Create a high level report that provides an overview of regional conservation assessments methods for California. Schedule: Fall of 2015 CBC Member Agency Involvement / Contribution: Participate and collaborate with the IRCAD Methods Work Group to develop this high level report. Deliverable: Create a guidebook detailing the framework and methods for implementing regional conservation assessments on a regional basis throughout California. Schedule: Complete initial guidelines by June 2016, provide biannual updates CBC Member Agency Involvement / Contribution: Participate and collaborate with the IRCAD Methods Work Group to develop this detailed implementation guidelines document.

Focal Area 1: Development of Standards and Guidelines. Action 3: Document the use of Regional Conservation Assessment products for the Integration of Regional Conservation and Development Planning. Deliverable: Document the use of Regional Conservation Assessments products to inform the planning and implementation of development projects. This will focus on the appropriate use of these products for avoidance, minimization as well as mitigation strategies to ensure the protection of identified conservation priorities. Schedule: Spring of 2016 CBC Member Agency Involvement / Contribution: Participate and collaborate with the IRCAD Methods Work Group to assist with the development and documentation of integrated conservation and development strategies. Deliverable: Document the relationship between Regional Conservation Assessment products, permitting processes for development projects, and the development of compensatory mitigation approaches. Schedule: Spring of 2016 CBC Member Agency Involvement / Contribution: Participate and collaborate with the IRCAD Methods Work Group to document these processes. Deliverable: Provide guidance for the appropriate use of tools that address mitigation requirements. These mitigation tools to advance regional conservation goals include the improved stewardship of existing conservation lands, acquisition of new lands, and restoration. Schedule: Complete initial guidelines by June 2016, provide biannual updates CBC Member Agency Involvement / Contribution: Through the IRCAD Methods Work Group and other processes, assist with the development and documentation of this guidance document.

Focal Area 2: Program Implementation and Demonstration. Action 1: Develop Strategy for RCA implementation Deliverable: Complete the inventory and assessment of past and current conservation projects across CA to document the status of this work. Schedule: Work has already begun, with preliminary results due in Oct 2015. CBC Member Agency Involvement / Contribution: Contribute to the identification of past and current conservation activities in CA, the aggregation and integration of project outcomes, and help to evaluate this work across the State. Deliverable: Develop regional strategies that integrate past and current conservation efforts into a consistent and comprehensive regional assessment and plan. Schedule: Preliminary strategy in the Fall of 2015. CBC Member Agency Involvement / Contribution: Development of the integration strategies through participation in the IRCAD Methods Work Group and other teams. Deliverable: Develop an RCA implementation sequence across CA ecoregions based on need, opportunity and readiness. Schedule: Spring 2016. CBC Member Agency Involvement / Contribution: Development of the implementation sequence for Regional Conservation Assessments through participation in the IRCAD Methods Work Group and other teams.

Focal Area 2: Program Implementation and Demonstration. Action 2: Develop and implement strategic projects to demonstrate the value of this approach and the roles for key stakeholders. Deliverable: Select regional scale projects with significant conservation resources and conflicts. Schedule: Work has already begun on the HSR Sections from Bakersfield to Palmdale and Palmdale to Burbank. Schedule: Work is scheduled to begin on the HSR Sections from SF to Merced in the Spring of 2016. CBC Member Agency Involvement / Contribution: Contribute data and information, staff and other in-kind resources to ensure the successful implementation of demonstration projects. Participate in the identification of conservation targets and goals, alignment of regulatory and permitting processes, and the development of conservation strategies to address regional conservation goals. Deliverable: Identify additional projects that would provide valuable demonstration of the implementation of the approach. Examples of these demonstration projects include 1) the Bay Area Plan, 2) WIP Tahoe National Forest assessment, 3) San Joaquin Valley, and others. Schedule: Additional project are being evaluated to be included in the first series of demonstration projects. These decisions will be made throughout the fall of 2015.

Focal Area 2: Program Implementation and Demonstration. Action 3: Document stakeholder roles for implementation of the Integrated Regional Conservation and Development Program. Deliverable: Identify the appropriate roles for permitting and regulatory agencies, project proponents, and the broader conservation and development community. Schedule: Fall of 2015 CBC Member Agency Involvement / Contribution: Participate in the identifications of appropriate roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders.

Focal Area 2: Program Implementation and Demonstration. Action 4: Carry out Regional Conservation Assessment across all ecoregions to support the IRCAD program. Deliverable: Apply regional prioritization strategy, standard methods, support technologies, and RCA implementation teams to implement these assessments across the State. Schedule: The future CBC Member Agency Involvement / Contribution: Contribute data and information, staff and other in-kind resources to ensure the successful implementation of regional conservation assessments. Participate in the identification of conservation targets and goals, alignment of regulatory and permitting processes, and the development of conservation strategies to address regional conservation goals.

Focal Area 3: Program Institutionalization. Action 1: Build key coalitions and partnerships to advance strategic components of the IRCAD program across CA. Deliverable: Complete resolution for State Agencies through the Strategic Growth Council. Schedule: Completed in October of 2014. CBC Member Agency Involvement / Contribution: Helped to develop the SGC resolution and background documents. Deliverable: Complete updated Tri-Agency Partnership agreement between CalSTA, CA Resources Agency and CalEPA, and the SGC. Schedule: Fall of 2015. CBC Member Agency Involvement / Contribution: Agency participation and review. Deliverable: Passed 2015 resolution for the CA Biodiversity Council. Schedule: Preliminary resolution passed in Oct 2014. Full resolution to be voted on in October of 2015. CBC Member Agency Involvement / Contribution: Agency participation and review.

Focal Area 3: Program Institutionalization. Action 2: Align the regulatory and permitting processes across agencies to advance the identification and protection of conservation goals and priorities Deliverable: Advance dialogue between regulatory and permitting agencies to improve the alignment of processes for project assessment and permitting. Create report describing processes to improve these efficiencies. Schedule: Summer of 2016 CBC Member Agency Involvement / Contribution: Participation by all agencies to develop and implement plans.

Focal Area 3: Program Institutionalization. Action 3: Implement the protection of identified regional conservation goals and priorities through agency planning, conservation and resource management activities. Deliverable: Document how each agency and partner can participate in the development and implementation of activities to advance the protection of regional conservation priorities. Schedule: Spring of 2016. CBC Member Agency Involvement / Contribution: Participation in planning discussions to identify agency contributions to the regional planning and conservation efforts. Deliverable: Work with agencies to clarify the efficiencies of using these products to address their mission and objectives. Schedule: ongoing CBC Member Agency Involvement / Contribution: Engage in these discussions to ensure this program is addressing their needs.

Focal Area 3: Program Institutionalization. Action 4: Promote the Integrated Regional Conservation and Development Program and the adoption of RCA strategies and priorities across agencies and organizations. Deliverable: Identify opportunities to present and promote the IRCAD program. Schedule: ongoing CBC Member Agency Involvement / Contribution: Identification of opportunities and participation in these activities.

Focal Area 3: Program Institutionalization. Action 5: Report on successes, failures, and other lessons learned in the development and use of regional conservation assessments. Deliverable: Review program implementation, and provide adaptive management strategies to ensure efficiencies over time. Schedule: Ongoing CBC Member Agency Involvement / Contribution: Participation in program review and development of advanced implementation approaches.

Focal Area 4: Technology and Data Support Action 1: Evaluate data and technology support requirements for the implementation of Regional Conservation Assessments and Integrated Regional Conservation and Development Plans. Deliverable: Report on data needs and availability. Categories of data include biological and ecological diversity as well as ecosystem service values for water, carbon, and prime agriculture. Schedule: Winter 2015/2016. CBC Member Agency Involvement / Contribution: Participation in the review of data status.

Focal Area 4: Technology and Data Support Action 2: Secure technology platform where underlying datasets will be standardized and integrated for viewing, analysis and reporting. Deliverable: Create contract for the use of Data Basin to support the implementation of the IRCAD program. Schedule: Contract in place in July 2015. CBC Member Agency Involvement / Contribution: All state agencies can use umbrella contract to support their work.

Focal Area 4: Technology and Data Support Action 3: Identify and integrate core datasets on a widely accessible information platform to support the implement of the IRCAD program. Deliverable: Integrate core datasets on Data Basin Schedule: Over 300 datasets are currently housed in Data Basin to support this work. Additional data will be entered as necessary to implement the program going forward. CBC Member Agency Involvement / Contribution: Provide datasets and assist in the integration of these data in Data Basin.

Focal Area 4: Technology and Data Support Action 4: Identify technology support tools that will support the implementation of the IRCAD program. Deliverable: Identify specific technology tools that will support the implementation of the IRCAD program. Schedule: Spring of 2016 CBC Member Agency Involvement / Contribution: Participation in the identification of useful tools to implement the IRCAD program.

Proposal for Resolution CBC member agencies are being asked to Participate and Collaborate in the Development and Implementation of the Integrated Regional Conservation and Development program.

Proposal for Resolution This Participation and Collaboration includes the following activities: Aligning existing programs and resources to support the development and application of this approach. Directing key staff to participate in the tasks identified for the development and implementation of this program. Aligning future processes to achieve more sustainable development and conservation outcomes through use of IRCAD products and tools.

This Participation and Collaboration includes the following SPECIFIC activities: Contribute Draft Review Evaluate Recommend Develop regional conservation targets and goals Provide data Review data Develop tools ID roles and responsibilities ID opportunities Proposal for Resolution Implement projects

Next Steps Engage the appropriate Agency / Organization staff in this discussion. We will solicit and incorporate your feedback. We will reach out and address any questions and/ or concerns. Participate in the resolution discussion at the October 14 CBC meeting. Pass the CBC resolution to advance this initiative!!