The East Bay Regional Park District has joined Contra Costa County, several East Contra Costa County cities, agencies, developers, land owners and conservation groups in preparing the largest proposed habitat conservation plan in Northern California. Known as the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan (HCP/NCCP), the plan proposes a coordinated, regional approach to conservation within 175,000 acres of Eastern Contra Costa County. About 30,000 acres of critical wildlife habitat are earmarked for preservation.

According to Park District General Manager Pat O’Brien, habitat conservation plans, or HCPs, are not new and have been successful since the 1980s as an efficient way to plan for growth. "They can be best described as a blueprint for regional habitat planning and development. They satisfy the federal Endangered Species Act and the ability to more quickly receive a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Fish and Game authorizing impacts on threatened and endangered species," he says. "A plan of this scope is an important planning tool for environmental interest, land owners, developers along with the County and local cities."

With an HCP, all parties, including land owners, developers, environmentalists and regulatory agencies, agree beforehand on zones for development, habitat conservation, and mitigation fees. "It’s a win-win for everyone," adds Ted Radke, EBRPD Board Member who is also on the HCP/NCCP Executive Governing Committee. "Residents get more open space and recreation opportunities, wildlife habitat is preserved, regulatory obstacles are streamlined for businesses and developers, rural landowners have an expanded market should they wish to sell, and local governments have more control over crucial infrastructure projects."

The cost of implementing the plan, which includes land purchases, land management, and site improvements, is an estimated $350 million. This would be funded through development fees and government grants rather than through raising taxes.

For more information go to http://www.cocohcp.org/ or call 925-335-1290. Back to top