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The Zayante
Sandhills Conservation Bank - Project Status Page
(last updated November 4, 2011)
This page describes the status of projects that were developed to conserve
Sandhills habitat for endangered species while permitting landowner projects within the Sandhills.
| Project
|
Status |
Estimated Completion |
| Zayante Sandhills Conservation Bank |
Conservation Bank Documents approved by USFWS
Easement recorded and approved by USFWS |
June 2, 2006
April 25, 2007 |
Interim Programmatic Habitat Conservation Plan for the Sandhills (IPHCP) |
County Board of Supervisors and
Scotts Valley City Council
Approve IPHCP |
August 2011 |
Interim Programmatic Habitat Conservation Plan for the Sandhills (IPHCP) |
Interim Habitat Conservation Plan approved by USFWS |
November 1, 2011 |
Overview
Landowners seeking to conduct projects that are likely to result in take of
federally endangered species in the Zayante Sandhills
will require an incidental take permit (ITP) from the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) to cover the impacts of
their projects. An ITP can be obtained through preparation of a Habitat Conservation
Plan (HCP), which describes how the
landowner will minimize impacts of their project on endangered species, and mitigate those impacts by compensating for
habitat negatively impacted by the project. The Zayante Sandhills Conservation Bank provides a mechanism for satisfying
off-site mitigation requirements for projects in the Zayante Sandhills where applicable.
Individual landowners can work with the USFWS to prepare a HCP for their own project. In addition, the City of Scotts Valley,
County of Santa Cruz, and USFWS are developing two HCPs that will provide multiple landowners with the coverage of an ITP
while describing the steps that will be taken to minimize and mitigate impacts of the projects on endangered species. The two HCPs are:
- Interim Programmatic Habitat Conservation Plan: will permit residential projects in a series of neighborhoods identified in the plan
- Regional Habitat Conservation Plan: will permit a wider variety of projects throughout the Sandhills distribution
The following sections describe in greater detail these three projects, which are in varying stages of development.
Zayante Sandhills Conservation Bank
Status
Conditional approval by USFW, June 2, 2006, Conservation Easement with CNLM recorded on April 25, 2007.
Details
The Zayante Sandhills Conservation Bank (ZSCB) is approved by the USFWS.
Once approved by the USFWS, the ZSCB can sell credits to landowners seeking to mitigate the impacts of their projects as described in a
HCP. Landowners who wish to prepare an individual project HCP should contact the USFWS to obtain more information about the
requirements of such plans. Landowners should also contact the County of Santa Cruz or City of Scotts Valley regarding other project
permits and requirements in their jurisdiction.
Interim Programmatic Habitat Conservation Plan for the Zayante Sandhills
Status
Being reviewed by the County of Santa Cruz, City of Scotts Valley and USFWS.
Details
The Interim Programmatic Habitat Conservation Plan (IPHCP) will address the incidental take of endangered species associated with
residential projects located in already developed neighborhoods within the Sandhills. The plan will describe the specific eligibility
criteria for projects and identify the neighborhoods in which landowners can utilize the IPHCP.
Originally drafted in 2002, completion of the IPHCP was delayed due to the absence of a feasible method for landowners to mitigate
the impacts of their projects on endangered species by providing for preservation of habitat. In June 2005, the USFWS revised the
plan to identify mitigation options, which include purchasing credits in the Zayante Sandhills Conservation Bank, and provided the
revised plan to the County of Santa Cruz and City of Scotts Valley for their final review.
Remaining Steps (anticipated to be complete by the end of Summer '07)
- The County of Santa Cruz, City of Scotts Valley, and USFWS comment on the revised plan and complete the IPHCP
- The County must adopt an ordinance or revise existing conditions to facilitate implementation of the IPHCP
- The public will be allowed to review and comment on the draft IPHCP; a notice of availability will be published in the
Federal Register to announce the public review period. (March 2011)
Regional Habitat Conservation Plan for the Zayante Sandhills
Status
In early stages of development within County of Santa Cruz and City of Scotts Valley. Completion will require unknown years.
Details
While the IPHCP covers only residential projects in specific neighborhoods, the Regional Habitat Conservation Plan (RHCP) for the Zayante
Sandhills will provide a conservation strategy and method of permitting projects in Sandhills habitat throughout its geographic range
(central Santa Cruz County). The RHCP is being developed in collaboration between the County of Santa Cruz and the City of Scotts Valley,
with funding provided by grants from the USFWS. Work on the RHCP was initiated in 2004, and is estimated to require 3-6 years for completion.
More information about the RSHP can be found on the County’s website at: Santa
Cruz Sandhills Regional Habitat Conservation Plan.
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