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 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-2010, 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: Determination of Conservation Funding Sources and Strategies, Develop Public Draft Butte Regional HCP/NCCP, and Implementing Agreement
ScheduledSeptember 2008-June2009
Phase Four: Develop Draft EIR/EIS, Draft Section 404 Permit Application, and additional Public Outreach.
Scheduled July 2008-June 2009
Phase Five: Adopting and Permitting of the Plan, Final EIR/EIS.
Scheduled June 2009-June 2010
Phase Two has been funded through grant funds secured from the State of California and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Section 6 grants. Phase Three is also fully funded through an additional U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Section 6 grant. BCAG staff has submitted an additional Section 6 grant application for Phase Four - Grant announcements will be made sometime in early spring 2008. BCAG staff expects to submit a final Section 6 grant application in June 2008 for the final Phase Five tasks.
