East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan / Natural Community Conservation Plan (HCP/NCCP)

East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan / Natural Community Conservation Plan (HCP/NCCP)

The proposed HCP/NCCP is being prepared by the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan Association (HCPA), a joint powers authority that is comprised of the Cities of Brentwood, Clayton, Oakley, and Pittsburg; Contra Costa County; the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD); and the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) The HCPA was formed to manage and fund development of the proposed HCP/NCCP for submission to US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). The proposed ECCC HCP/NCCP is a comprehensive, multi-jurisdictional plan that provides for regional species conservation and habitat planning while allowing the local land use jurisdictions that are applicants under the proposed HCP/HCCP to better manage anticipated growth and development in the Plan area. The proposed HCP/NCCP provides a coordinated process for permitting and mitigating the take of covered species as an alternative to the current project-by-project approach. USFWS and CDFG, by approving the proposed HCP/NCCP and issuing incidental take permits (ITPs), would provide the local authorities with take authorization for specific species during the course of otherwise lawful activities. Local authorities could then issue endangered species permits to project proponents that comply with the conditions of the proposed HCP/NCCP. The local authorities, through an implementing authority, would also be responsible for collecting fees from project proponents to implement broad conservation measures, including establishment of large preserve areas. The purpose of this EIR/EIS for the ECCC HCP/NCCP is to inform agency decision makers and the public regarding the anticipated significant environmental effects of the proposed project, potential measures to mitigate these significant effects, and reasonable alternatives that could reduce the significant environmental impacts of the proposed project to a less-than-significant level. The EIS/EIR evaluates the potential impacts of approval of the ECCC HCP/NCCP, including issuance of ITPs by USFWS and CDFG, and adoption of an implementing agreement (IA) for the proposed HCP/NCCP and other alternatives, including the no-action alternative.

Brentwood, Clayton, Oakley, Pittsburg

Contra Costa

Other (Habitat Preservation)

HCP/NCCP

Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Geology/Soils, Hydrology/Water Quality, Mineral Resources, Noise, Transportation