The Butte Regional HCP/NCCP is being coordinated by the Butte County Association of Governments (BCAG) on behalf of:
the City of Biggs
the City of Chico
the City of Gridley
the City of Oroville
the County of Butte
The HCP/NCCP is a voluntary plan that will provide comprehensive species, wetlands and ecosystem conservation and contribute to the recovery of endangered species within the plan area while also providing a more streamlined process for environmental permitting.
BCAG has developed an eight-page Informational Brochure that provides in-depth information on the Butte Regional HCP/NCCP scope, process and benefits. The spring 2009 newsletter also provides additional up-to-date information: *NEW* Spring 2009 Newsletter (pdf 8mb)
The HCP/NCCP will also:
Reduce the cost and increase the consistency of the state and federal permitting process
Consolidate and streamline these processes under one locally controlled plan
Provide equitable costs and benefits of habitat conservation planning within the region
Protect the rights of private property owners
The preparation and approval of the HCP/NCCP is expected to be completed in mid-2011, depending upon the issues that will be addressed and the duration of the State/Federal approval process.
Butte County has unique and vibrant cities and communities, a rich agricultural heritage, and a diverse geography of landscapes that support an abundance of natural resources. Many of the cities and communities within the region are growing. As our region continues to grow, the landscape of our communities will change and our natural resources will be affected.
Protection of the region's natural resources (habitat and species) is provided under State and Federal laws.
The officials of our cities and county governments are providing the leadership to develop a strategy for protecting our natural resources in compliance with applicable State and Federal laws through the HCP/NCCP, while allowing our future growth and development to occur under a less cumbersome environmental permitting process.
Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle Photo Couresy: Richard Arnold
A Plan Area has been identified for the Butte Regional HCP/NCCP that covers approximately the western half of the county. The Plan Area provides a focus on the areas of greatest conflict between growth and development and federal and state protected species. The HCP/NCCP will identify where future impacts to protected species will likely occur and will lay out a strategy for avoidance, minimization and mitigation of the natural resources that will be impacted by these activities.
BCAG has retained the consultant firm Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to assist with developing the HCP/NCCP over the next three years. Phase One of the process is complete and Phase Two is already moving forward. Phase One tasks included:
Phase Three: Implementation Costs, Conservation Funding Sources and Strategies, and development of Implementing Agreement
Scheduled November 2009 through June2010
Phase Four: Develop public draft HCP/NCCP and EIS/EIR documents, Draft Section 404 Permit Application, and additional Public Outreach.
Scheduled June 2010 through October 2010
Phase Five: Final HCP/NCCP, Final EIS/EIR, and Adopting and Permitting of the Plan.
Scheduled October 2010-July 2011
Phases 2, 3, 4 and a portion of Phase 5 (final documents) have been funded through grant funds secured from the State of California and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Section 6 grant program. BCAG staff will be submitting an additional Section 6 grant application for the remainder of Phase Five (adoption and permitting of the plan) in July 2009 - Grant announcements will likely be made spring 2009.
