public scoping meeting for the bakersfield habitat ... scoping meeting presentati… · step 2 –...

Public Scoping Meeting for the Bakersfield Habitat Conservation Plan Environmental Impact

Statement / Environmental Impact Report

January 24, 2017

ICF proprietary and confidential. Do not copy, distribute, or disclose.ICF proprietary and confidential. Do not copy, distribute, or disclose.ICF proprietary and confidential. Do not copy, distribute, or disclose.Bakersfield HCP EIS/EIR Public Scoping Meeting

Purpose of the Meeting

Scoping for the Bakersfield Habitat Conservation Plan

Environmental Impact Statement / Environmental

Impact Report (HCP EIS/EIR)

Inform public and stakeholders about the preparation

of the Bakersfield HCP EIS/EIR

Provide information on the EIS/EIR process and how

to provide public comments on the scope of the

EIS/EIR

Provide an opportunity for the public to ask questions

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Environmental Review Process & Proposed Action

Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP)

Troy Rahmig

HCP Project Manager

ICF

Environmental Impact Statement / Environmental

Impact Report (EIS/EIR)

Hova Woods

EIS/EIR Project Manager

ICF

3


Habitat Conservation Plan Overview

HCP is a comprehensive regional plan

Serves as an HCP pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA)

Streamlines and coordinates existing processes for review and permitting of

public and private activities that potentially affect covered species

Provides long-term conservation of covered species in the plan area

Sets out a conservation strategy with measures to avoid, minimize and/or

mitigate impacts to covered species and habitats

Facilitates the role and responsibility of local government in overseeing local

land use planning and decision-making

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Habitat Conservation Plan History and Purpose

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1994 Metropolitan Bakersfield HCP established the first multi-species

HCP in California

Permits expired in 2014 but were extended or granted an interim permit until 2019

Bakersfield HCP replaces original HCP to reflect current jurisdiction

requirements

Builds on original goals in the earlier HCP and provides an opportunity to expand the

benefits to new participants, adjust and clarify the species and activities, and

incorporate improvements based on lessons learned

Permit applicants currently preparing complete draft of HCP for agency review and

finalization

30-year incidental take permit

–Regulated under the ESA

–Triggers environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

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Relationship Between ESA and NEPA

1/26/2017 6

Section 9 of the ESA prohibits “take” of federally-listed fish and wildlife.

Take means to “harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect,

or attempt to engage in any such conduct” (16 U.S.C. 1532(19)).

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) may issue permits to

authorize “incidental take” under Section 10(a) of the ESA.

Incidental take is defined as take that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, carrying

out an otherwise lawful activity.

The Service may issue an incidental take permit provided certain criteria are met.

Issuance of take permits under the HCP is a federal action subject to

NEPA review

NEPA requires federal agencies to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

for major federal actions.

Bakersfield HCP EIS/EIR Public Scoping Meeting


Environmental Review Process & Proposed Action Overview

HCP will also obtain Section 2081 Incidental Take Permit from California

Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)

Regulated under California ESA

Triggers environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

Joint EIS/EIR is being prepared to comply with the NEPA and CEQA

Agency Roles USFWS – EIS lead federal agency in compliance with NEPA

City of Bakersfield – EIR lead state agency in compliance with CEQA

CDFW is a Responsible and Trustee Agency for CEQA

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HCP Phase 1 – Permit Area

8


HCP Phase 1 – Study Area

9


HCP Proposed Covered Activities by:

City of Bakersfield Planning

City of Bakersfield Water Resources

City of Bakersfield Public Works (including TRIP)

City of Bakersfield Recreation and Parks

Kern County Planning

Kern County Roads

Kern County Airports

Kern County Animal Control

CSU-Bakersfield

Bakersfield College

Kern County Schools

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HCP Proposed Covered Activities

Urban Development Includes capital projects and O&M activities at schools,

colleges, universities

Transportation and Circulation Infrastructure

Flood Control

Sewer and Water Treatment Facilities

Landfills

Airports

Conservation Strategy Implementation

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Blunt-nosed leopard lizard

Burrowing owl

Least Bell’s vireo

Buena Vista lake shrew

Nelson’s antelope squirrel

Tipton kangaroo rat

San Joaquin kit fox

Alkali mariposa lily

Rose-flowered larkspur

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Recurved larkspur

Shevock’s golden-aster

San Joaquin wooly threads

Bakersfield cactus

HCP Covered Species List


HCP Impact Analysis

13

Areas of Expected Future Development in Bakersfield During the Permit Term

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HCP Study Area Land Cover


Potential HCP Conservation Strategy – Avoidance / Minimization

Avoidance, Minimize, then Mitigate

Create Avoidance Strategy for Urban Kit Fox Standardized approach for assessing and avoiding dens

Protocol for contacts regarding kit fox issues

Will include a new position, paid for by the HCP, to respond to local

kit fox calls

Create additional avoidance measures for other covered species General avoidance includes developing in town and taking

conservation actions out of town

Other Avoidance and Minimization Measures (AMMs) as proposed

conditions on Covered Activities (HCP Chapter 6)

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Potential HCP Conservation Strategy – Compensatory Mitigation

Set conservation acreage goals for each species

Highlights areas of conservation focus

Allows the Plan to be specific about where conservation will

occur

Allows the USFWS and CDFW to make findings for each

species

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HCP Next Steps

Finalize conservation strategy (early 2017)

Finalize cost and determine funding (mid 2017)

Submit HCP with NEPA document to USFWS for review and approval (end of 2017)

Finalize ESA and California ESA permits (2018)

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Environmental Review Process

NEPA and CEQA Compliance Implementing HCP requires NEPA review

Approval of the project requires CEQA review

EIS/EIR

Consideration of alternatives:

–Proposed Action (permit issuance)

–No Action (no permit issuance)

–Reasonable range of other alternatives (e.g., variation of conservation level, impacts caused

by the proposed activities, permit area, covered species, or a combination of factors)

Identify and analyze potentially significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts from Proposed Action and Alternatives for detailed study

Identify measures to avoid or minimize significant impacts of the Proposed Action

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Environmental Review Process (continued)

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Biological Resources

Land Use and Planning

Utilities and Service Systems

Air Quality

Hydrology and Water Resources

Cultural Resources

Socioeconomics

Population/Housing

Environmental Justice Parks, Recreation, and Open

Space

Aesthetics

Climate Change and

Greenhouse Gases

Agricultural and Forestry

Resources

Geology and Soils

Hazardous Materials

Noise

Traffic/Transportation

Resources to be analyzed:


Environmental Review Process - Next Steps

Step 1 – Scoping (now) January 6: Notice of Intent published in Federal Register

January 9: Notice of Preparation issued

45-day comment period ends February 23, 2017

Step 2 – Draft EIS/EIR Notice of Availability (estimated late 2018)*

Public Comment Period

Step 3 – Final EIS/EIR

Step 4 – Record of Decision/ Notice of Determination (estimated mid 2019)*

*The environmental review process is dependent upon the schedule of the HCP, and these dates are currently subject to change.

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Public Comments

Keys to Making Effective Comments Focus your comments on reasonable alternatives and potential

environmental issues.

Let us know what environmental and community factors you consider

important for analysis in the Draft EIS/EIR.

Suggest methods for analysis of environmental impacts.

Submit comments that are clear, concise, and relevant to the project.

Provide constructive solutions with documentation or resources to

support your comments or recommendations.

Provide specific examples, which is more effective than simply stating

opposition or making broad statements.

All comments will be treated equally regardless of which

method you use to submit them.

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Public Comment Submittal due February 23, 2017U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Send written comments to:

Patricia Cole

San Joaquin Valley Division

Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,

2800 Cottage Way, Room W-2605

Sacramento, CA 95825

In-Person Drop-Off, Viewing, or Pickup:

Call (916) 414-6600 to make an appointment

during regular business hours to drop off

comments or view received comments at the

above Sacramento location.

Fax: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,

(916) 414-6713, Attn: Patricia Cole

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City of Bakersfield Electronically:

http://www.bakersfieldhcp.us/ or to

[email protected]

Send written comments to:

City of Bakersfield, Community Development Dept.,

Planning Division

Attn: Kristin Pittack

1715 Chester Avenue

Bakersfield, CA 93301

In-Person Drop-Off, Viewing, or Pickup:

Visit the Planning Division on the 2nd Floor at the above

Bakersfield location during regular business hours to

drop off comments or view received comments.

Fax: Bakersfield Community Development Dept.,

(661) 852-2136, Attn: Kristin Pittack


Thank YouThank you for your interest in the Habitat

Conservation Plan and EIS/EIR environmental

review process.

We will open the floor to questions regarding the

information presented during this meeting.

Comments are due February 23, 2017

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