6. Conservation & Open Space Element
Introduction The Conservation and Open Space Element provides policy direction for the conservation, development, and use of natural resources and the preservation and utilization of lands and waters devoted to or managed for open space uses. Open space land, as addressed in the California Government Code, includes land that is essentially unimproved and devoted to an open space use as set forth below, and designated in this Conservation and Open Space Element as any of the following:
• Open space for the preservation of natural resources such as wildlife habitat, land for scientific study, and rivers, streams and other aquatic resources • Open space for the managed production of resources, including forests, rangeland, and agricultural lands important for economic production of food and fiber, mineral deposits, and groundwater recharge basins • Open space for outdoor recreation such as parks, trails, lakeshores and beaches, and scenic highway corridors • Open space for the protection of public health and safety, including floodplains, fault zones, and areas presenting high fire risks • Open space for the protection of archaeological and cultural resources.
Figure COS-1 identifies various categories of existing natural resource protection (federal, state and private), managed production of resources, and recreation lands in Calaveras County. Resource production lands include Williamson Act-contracted lands and land in the Timber Production Zone. Public lands include Stanislaus National Forest lands in the higher elevations, Bureau of Land Management administered lands and other federal lands scattered throughout the county including land around New Hogan and New Melones Reservoirs, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, and lands owned by water districts, including land around Camanche and Pardee Reservoirs owned by the East Bay Municipal Utility District. Recreation lands include public parks in various communities and private recreation areas such as caves and snowplay areas. Several tracts of land also have conservation easements for various purposes, including lands near Salt Springs Reservoir and near Glencoe.
Other general plan elements addressing conservation and open space-related issues are:
• Public Facilities and Services Element: Land accommodating floodwater and for groundwater recharge; Areas required for groundwater basin recharge; Water supply • Resource Production Element: Land and water reclamation; Location, quantity and quality of the rock, sand, and gravel resources; Areas containing mineral deposits, including those in short supply; Land used for the managed production of resources, including forest lands, rangeland, agricultural lands and areas of economic importance for the production of food or fiber • Safety Element: Open areas for public health and safety; soil conservation (e.g., protecting soil productivity through erosion prevention, control, and correction); Land accommodating floodwater for stormwater management • Land Use Element: Open space lands classified as Resource Management (pubic and quasi- public land), and lands classified as Resource Production (agriculture and timberland) as shown on the Land Use Map; Goals, policies and implementation programs intending to maintain open space, conserve and promote effective use of natural resources, and preserve the rural character of the county through encouraging clustering, infill, and designing new development to conserve natural, scenic, and cultural resources
Calaveras County does not currently have commercial fisheries and, therefore, this is not addressed in the General Plan.
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Organization
Background and Setting, Associated Plans and Documents Water Resources/Water Quality Biological Resources Air Quality/Greenhouse Gases Scenic Resources Recreation Resources Cultural and Paleontological Resources
Goals and Policies General Water Resources/Water Quality Biological Resources Air Quality/Greenhouse Gases Scenic Resources Recreation Resources Cultural and Paleontological Resources
Implementation Programs General Water Resources/Water Quality Biological Resources Air Quality/Greenhouse Gases Scenic Resources Recreation Resources Cultural and Paleontological Resources
Background and Setting, Associated Plans and Documents
Water Resources/Water Quality
Surface Water Calaveras County topography varies from about 200 feet above sea level in the western County to 8,100± feet in the mountainous eastern County resulting in highly variable average levels of precipitation (20 inches per year in the west and 60 inches annually in the northeast) which comes in the form of both snow and rain generally between October and May.
The County’s surface water resources include: The Mokelumne, Calaveras, and Stanislaus Rivers; numerous streams and diversion canals; large reservoirs (Pardee Reservoir, Camanche Reservoir, New Hogan Reservoir, Tulloch Reservoir, New Melones Reservoir, Salt Springs Reservoir) and many smaller lakes and reservoirs scattered countywide.
Generally, the water quality of the County’s surface water supply is good. However, some impairment occurs due to contact with pollutants that include those that occur naturally and those introduced by human activity. Surface water quality impairments in the County are associated with runoff during wet weather events, direct discharge associated with industrial/commercial activities, resource extraction activities, leaking sewer infrastructure, illegal dumping, historic waste disposal practices, agricultural chemicals, and landscape chemicals and fertilizers. Characteristic contaminants include sediment, hydrocarbons, metals, pesticides, nutrients, bacteria, and trash.
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Mercury levels are a concern in the Upper Stanislaus Watershed at New Melones and Tulloch Reservoirs. Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) have been detected in treated water from the Stanislaus River Watershed at the Murphy’s Water Treatment Plant (WTP).
In the Upper Mokelumne River watershed, water quality concerns include turbidity, alkalinity, aluminum, nitrates, and pathogens--each found in elevated levels throughout the watershed and associated with both natural conditions and man-made activities.1
Studies of the Calaveras River watershed show that the biggest concerns are high levels of suspended sediments, naturally occurring metals such as iron and manganese, and organic carbon. These affect treatment activities at CCWD’s facilities in Sheep Ranch and Jenny Lind/Rancho Calaveras.2
Groundwater The County’s groundwater is found in three different types of formations: fractured bedrock, tertiary channels, and groundwater basins. Water is found in rock fractures, faults, or changes in stratigraphy. Tertiary channels are gravels in old riverbeds that have been filled or buried by newer sediments. Ongoing monitoring indicates a decline in groundwater levels over the past fifty years.
The western County encompasses a portion of the Eastern San Joaquin groundwater sub-basin, part of the larger San Joaquin Valley groundwater basin, which has been directly affected by severe overdrafting. This is the only identified groundwater basin in the County. As water levels in the sub- basin have declined, a saline front originating in the western portion of the basin has moved eastward (encroaching into Calaveras County). Other pollutants exceeding maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the sub-basin include inorganic and radiological pollutants, nitrates, pesticides, and volatile and semi- volatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs). Wells in the Wallace Community Services District (WCSD) show iron and manganese concentrations above MCLs and require treatment to reduce contamination to acceptable levels. Recent studies have also shown that groundwater in the Valley Springs area and the East San Joaquin Groundwater Subbasin is not being recharged.3,4
Salt-water bearing wells have been identified in the western portion of the County, primarily in the vicinity of Copperopolis.5 This is unconnected to the Eastern San Joaquin groundwater sub-basin and is a result of natural calcium or sodium in highly mineralized rock formations.
The quality of both hard-rock extracted and sub-basin groundwater sources may be affected by activities including Class V injection wells6, abandoned mines, abandoned wells, underground storage tanks, hazardous waste sites, on-site septic systems, failing septic systems, and solid waste sites. Contaminants released from these sources into groundwater may include fecal coliform, nitrate, nitrite, VOCs, and synthetic organic compounds
Associated Plans and Documents The County maintains the following text, maps and diagrams identifying the location of ground and surface water resources (e.g., streams, creeks, rivers, riparian habitats, groundwater basins) and the
1 Upper Mokelumne River Watershed Authority. Technical Memorandum Number 9: Watershed Assessment. Upper Mokelumne River Watershed Assessment and Planning Project. April 2007. 2 Brown and Caldwell. March 2011. Calaveras River Watershed Sanitary Survey. Prepared for Calaveras County Water District and Stockton East Water District. 3 Dunn Environmental, Inc. June 2013. Technical Memorandum Groundwater Characteristics and Recharge Implications Near Lake Camanche and Valley Springs, California. Prepared for Calaveras County Water District 4 United States Geological Survey. Open File Report 2012-1049. Test Drilling and Data Collection in the Calaveras County Portion of the Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Subbasin, California, December 2009-June 2011. 5 Calaveras County Environmental Health Department, 2004 6 Class V wells include shallow disposal systems (e.g., storm water drainage wells, cesspools, and septic system leach fields); more complex and deeper wells often used at commercial or industrial facilities; sophisticated well types (e.g., aquifer storage and recovery wells, geothermal electric power wells) http://water.epa.gov/type/groundwater/uic/class5/
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quality of those resources. Information related to stormwater and flood corridors is found in the Safety Element. Information related to water supply is included in the Public Facilities Element. Text, maps and diagrams are updated on a regular basis. Current versions available at the Calaveras County Planning Department at 891 Mt. Ranch Road, San Andreas, CA 95249, include:
• Eastern San-Joaquin Ground Water Basin Maps (General Plan Technical Background Report) • Calaveras County Rivers, Reservoirs and Watersheds Map (General Plan Technical Background Report) • Major Calaveras County streams and creeks (General Plan Technical Background Report)
Groundwater, groundwater recharge and management, watersheds and water quality are addressed in the following documents and are updated on a regular basis. Current versions are available at the Calaveras County Water District (CCWD) offices at 120 Toma Court, San Andreas, California 95249 and online at http://www.ccwd.org/ unless otherwise noted:
Water Resources and Information Management Engineering, Inc. November, 2007. Groundwater Management Plan 2007 Update. Groundwater management plan addressing the Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Basin.
Dunn Environmental, Inc. November 21, 2012. Calaveras County Monitoring Plan Portions of the Eastern San Joaquin Ground Water Sub basin for the California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring Program (CASGEM).
Northeastern San Joaquin County Groundwater Banking Authority (SJ GBA). 2004. Groundwater Management Plan for the Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Basin.
RMC, November 2006. Mokelumne/Amador/Calaveras Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (M/A/C IRWMP). The study is available at both CCWD and online through the Upper Mokelumne River Watershed Authority at: http://www.umrwa.org/
Tetra Tech EM Inc. for the Stockton East Water District and CCWD. 2001. Draft Calaveras River Watershed Assessment and Management Plan. This study is available at CCWD and online at: http://www.ttclients.com/calaveras/
Kennedy-Jenks for the Tuolumne Utilities District/ Regional Water Management Group of the Tuolumne-Stanislaus Integrated Regional Water Management Plan. August, 2013. Tuolumne- Stanislaus Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (T-S IRWMP). The plan addresses the Upper Stanislaus River watershed and Upper Rock Creek-French Camp Slough Watershed in Calaveras County. The plan is available through the Tuolumne County Resource Conservation District at their offices at 77 North Washington Street, Sonora, CA 95370 or online at http://www.tcrcd.org/
Biological Resources
A biological resources background report was prepared in conjunction with the General Plan and provides detailed information related to the County’s biological resources including wetlands and other waters7. This document is provided as Attachment A to the General Plan Technical Background Report.
Monk & Associates, Inc. for Raney Planning & Management. July 25, 2013. Biological Resources Background Document Calaveras County General Plan Update.
7 “Other waters” refers to “other waters of the United States” as that term is defined in Section 404 of the federal Clean Water Act.
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Vegetation Multiple agencies have mapped baseline vegetation for various portions of the County and several different vegetation classification systems have been applied to describe County vegetation. Coniferous forests cover approximately one third of the County, about half of which is managed by the US Forest Service. Forests, including timberland, are a significant natural and economic resource for the County. These lands provide timber along with open space, wildlife habitat, recreation, carbon storage and water recharge. Non-native grasslands cover nearly one quarter of the County, providing forage for livestock and making up most of the agricultural land. Foothill oak woodlands make up another significant portion of the County. These lands also provide grazing land along with important wildlife habitat. Chaparral and montane hardwood forests comprise the rest of the native vegetation. Less than two percent of the County’s natural vegetative communities have been altered by human disturbance, converted to urban use, or converted and maintained as orchards, vineyards, field crops or other non-natural vegetation.
Sensitive Plant Communities Of the generalized plant communities discussed above and detailed in the Technical Background Report, riparian woodlands, Ione chaparral, and big tree forest are identified by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife as sensitive plant communities (i.e., rare enough to warrant monitoring).
Species Special-status species are plants and animals that are legally protected under the California and/or Federal Endangered Species Acts (CESA and FESA, respectively) or other regulations (e.g., Migratory Bird Treaty Act, California Environmental Quality Act), and species that are considered rare by the scientific community (e.g., the California Native Plant Society, California Fish and Wildlife Species of Special Concern). A list of listed species occurring, or potentially occurring, along with non-listed special status plants and animals with the potential to occur in Calaveras County is provided in Attachment A to the General Plan Technical Background Report.
Associated Plans and Documents The County relies on state and federal online resources for up-to-date information pertaining to the location and distribution of vegetation, common and special status species. Databases consulted include:
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), California Native Plant Society (CNPS) and Aerial Information Systems (AIS). Northern Sierra Nevada Foothills Vegetation Project: Vegetation Mapping Report (2011). Available online at www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/bios/
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Native Plant Society (CNPS) and Aerial Information Systems (AIS). Vegetation - Northern Sierra Nevada Foothills [ds566]. Vegetation map provides one meter resolution digital color aerial imagery for the western half of Calaveras County (between 200± and 3100± feet amsl). Available online at www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/bios/
California Department of Fish and Wildlife. California Natural Diversity Database. Available online at www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/cnddb/. Confidential information available by subscription only.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Biogeographic and Information Observation System. Available online at: www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/bios/
United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. CalVeg, Region 5. South Sierran Vegetation Maps. Available online at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/ and at the Calaveras County Planning Department Geographic Information System Division at 891 Mt. Ranch Road, San Andreas, CA 95249.
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Air Quality/Greenhouse Gases
Calaveras County is located in the Mountain Counties Air Basin (MCAB) and is under the jurisdiction of the Calaveras County Air Pollution Control District (CCAPCD), a special district governed by the Calaveras County Air Pollution Control Board. CCAPCD manages the County’s air quality through education and enforcement of CCAPCD rules and California Air Resources Board (CARB) measures and regulations.
Relative to air quality, Calaveras County exceeds (i.e., is classified as non-attainment for) state and federal standards for ozone. Ozone exceedance is a result of “overwhelming transport”, a term used by the California Air Resources Board to recognize that the precursors to ozone are emitted elsewhere (the valley and bay area) and as chemical reactions occur to create ozone it is transported to the County by the prevailing westerly winds. The County is technically exceeding state standards for particulate matter (PM10), however this was due to one record in 2013 and there have been no records of exceedance in 2014 or 2015. Populations more sensitive to poor air quality than others include children, the elderly, the acutely ill, and the chronically ill. Facilities occupied by these sensitive populations are considered sensitive receptors. In Calaveras County, sensitive receptors include residences, schools, playgrounds, childcare centers, retirement homes, convalescent homes, hospitals, and medical clinics distributed throughout the County.
SB 375, (Chapter 728, Statutes of 2008) links land use planning, transportation planning, affordable housing and CEQA to greenhouse gas reduction. The state-wide target is to reduce emission levels by 2020 to those of 1990. While it is unlikely that programs Calaveras County may adopt will play a significant part in overall reductions, every jurisdiction must play its part in addressing the issue. SB 375 does not apply to Calaveras County because it is not a part of a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). However, as a part of the environmental review of this plan, air quality and greenhouse gas emission impacts must be addressed. Additionally, future Regional Transportation Plan funding decisions will be tied to greenhouse gas reduction strategies, creating strong incentive for local governments to participate in these efforts in order to ensure funding for much needed transportation system improvements. Development of a Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) is a primary tool to identify and achieve greenhouse gas reduction goals. Additionally, vegetation, open space, and natural resource lands have the ability to sequester carbon. Management activities that sequester carbon also provide additional benefits such as protection of watersheds, enhanced wildlife habitat, and reduced soil erosion.
Associated Plans and Documents The County maintains the following data and plans regarding the status of air quality in Calaveras County. Data and plans are updated on a regular basis. Data used in preparing the general plan are listed below and are available at the Calaveras County Planning Department (for General Plan Background Report) or the Calaveras County Air Pollution Control District of the Environmental Management Agency at 891 Mt. Ranch Road, San Andreas, CA 95249, unless otherwise stated:
Air Quality Data Summary for San Andreas-Goldstrike Road Air Quality Monitoring Station (General Plan Background Report)
California Air Resources Board – Air Quality Conformance, Calaveras County. http://www.arb.ca.gov/desig/adm/adm.htm and the General Plan Background Report.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. Air Quality performance per national primary or secondary ambient air quality standards for various pollutants. http://www.epa.gov/oaqps001/greenbk/define.html and the General Plan Background Report
Environmental Management Agency Calaveras County Air Pollution Control District. CCAPCD Rules and California Air Resources Control Board - Air Toxic Control Measures
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Scenic Resources
Residents and visitors identify Calaveras County’s scenic resources as one of its most valued assets. Forests, rolling hills, ranches, agricultural land, historic landscapes, oak woodlands, rock formations and other unique topographical features, river corridors, lakes, and streams are just a few of the County’s exceptional scenic resources that contribute to the County’s characteristic scenic beauty and unique sense of place.
Ebbetts Pass was designated as a California State Scenic Highway in 1971 and was granted a national designation as the Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway by the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2005. The federal designation is meant to preserve the unique scenic, natural, historical, cultural, archaeological, and recreational resources along the scenic byway which encompasses a 58-mile stretch of SR 4 and 89 including 24 miles of road within Calaveras County from east of Arnold to the Alpine County line, between Arnold and Markleeville.
Portions of SR 4 and SR 49 are listed as Eligible State Scenic Highways by Caltrans.
Associated Plans and Documents The County maintains the following data and plans regarding officially designated scenic resources in Calaveras County. Data and plans are updated on a regular basis and are available at the Calaveras County Planning Department at 891 Mt. Ranch Road, San Andreas, CA 95249, unless otherwise noted:
California Department of Transportation. Designated and Eligible State Scenic Highways, Calaveras County. http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LandArch/16_livability/scenic_highways/scenic_hwy.htm
David L. Dahlquist Associates, LLC for the Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway Association and Calaveras Council of Governments. 2013 Corridor Management Plan Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway. Also available online at http://scenic4.org/
Recreation Resources
Calaveras County benefits from a wide variety of local, state and federal, public and privately owned park and recreational facilities ranging from regional hiking, biking and equestrian trails in the wilderness to individual playgrounds for local residents. The ownership, type and distribution of recreational facilities are detailed in the General Plan Technical Background Report and summarized as follows:
Public and Quasi-Public Park and Recreation Facilities, Providers and Districts Recreational opportunities available to residents and visitors are provided by several federal and state agencies, water agencies operating reservoirs, the County, and veterans districts and community organizations. Elementary, middle, and high school play fields and playgrounds throughout the County also contribute to the local recreational network. The San Andreas Recreation and Parks District serves the area in and around the community of San Andreas and is the only parks and recreation district in the County.
Private Recreation Facilities Other privately owned recreational facilities include Salt Springs Valley Reservoir and limestone caves. Local clubs and commercial endeavors also support rock climbing, cross country skiing, river rafting, snow play and other recreational activities.
Trails Numerous hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails are located throughout the County. Major regional trail systems include the Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail (MCCT), Arnold Rim Trail (ART), and New
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Melones Reservoir Trails.8 Shorter trail systems may be found along portions of the County’s historic miner’s ditches. Many miles of multiple use trails exist on National Forest lands.
Associated Plans and Documents The County maintains plans regarding recreational resources in Calaveras County. Plans and reports are updated on a regular basis and are available at the Calaveras County Planning Department at 891 Mt. Ranch Road, San Andreas, CA 95249.
Calaveras County Code Chapter 16.24 (sets forth park dedication requirements for new residential projects within the County)
Local Agency Formation Commission of Calaveras County (LAFCO). November 2005. Municipal Service Review (MSR) and Sphere of Influence (SOI) Plan Veteran Memorial Districts and Park and Recreation Districts. Also available online at: http://www.calaveraslafco.org/service-reviews.html
Calaveras Council of Governments. Calaveras County Pedestrian Master Plan. Also available online at http://calacog.org/
Calaveras Council of Governments. Calaveras County Bikeway Plan/Bicycle Master Plan. Also available online at http://calacog.org/
Cultural & Paleontological Resources
Cultural Resources
Cultural resources include buildings, archaeological sites, structures, objects and districts important in local, state, or national history. A detailed history of Calaveras County, provided courtesy of Foothill Resources, Ltd., is included in the General Plan Background Report. Based on that study, the County’s cultural resources are generally representative of the County’s history relative to: Prehistoric Native American Occupation, Mining, Agriculture, Water, Transportation and Communications, Ethnicity and Social Systems; Industry, Commerce, and Tourism. Evidence of these contextual themes in County history include:
• Prehistoric villages and occupation sites (residence areas, campsites, cemeteries) • Prehistoric processing and procurement areas (quarries, grinding stones, hunting blinds) • Historic artifact features and buried deposits of historic debris and artifacts • Building foundations and associated deposits (homes, businesses, barns, mines, mills, etc.) • Mining remains (shafts, adits, waste rock, tailings) • Ranching and Agriculture (terracing, fences, corrals, water troughs) • Water related (ditches, dams, reservoirs, penstocks) • Transportation (roads, trails, railways)
Historically and architecturally significant buildings in Calaveras are diverse in style, as well as in method and period of construction. They are built of adobe, stone, brick, wood, or concrete and have sidings of brick, wood, stucco, and plaster. The architectural styles represented are Neoclassical, Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne, Eastlake, Mission Revival, False-front commercial, Craftsman, Spanish Eclectic, Tudor Revival, Art Moderne, and various vernacular adaptations of all of these.
Cultural resources formally recognized by the National Park Service and/or the State of California in Calaveras County include:
8 The U.S. Bureau of Land Management manages 12 miles of trails around New Melones Reservoir in Calaveras County.
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National Register of Historic Places The National Park Service identifies 15 structures in Calaveras County listed on the National Register of Historic Places (2014): Calaveras County Courthouse (San Andreas), Copperopolis Armory, Copperopolis Congregational Church, Douglas Flat School, Honigsberger Store (Copperopolis), Murphys Grammar School, Sperry-Perry/Mitchler/Murphys Hotel, Reed’s Store (Copperopolis), John J. Snyder House (San Andreas), and the Thorn House (San Andreas). Five of the listed resources are located in Angels Camp (Angels Hotel, “Red Brick” Altaville Grammar School, Utica Mansion, Calaveras County Bank, Sam Choy brick store).
California Register of Historic Resources, Historical Landmarks,Points of Historical Interest In addition to federally-recognized buildings, structures recognized by the state include: A.W. Clifton House/Compton Mansion, Dorrington Hotel and Restaurant, Europa/De France/Leger Hotel (Mokelumne Hill), Avery Hotel-Halfway House, Congregational Church (Mokelumne Hill), I.O.O.F. Hall (Mokelumne Hill), Peter L. Traver Building (Murphys), Mitchler Hotel (Murphys), Pioneer Cemetery, Prince-Garibardi Building (Altaville), Stone Corral (Valley Springs), and the Vallecito Bell Monument.
Communities and places recognized by the state include: Big Bar, Calaveritas, Camanche, Campo Seco, Carson Hill, Chili Gulch, Double Springs, Copperopolis, Douglas Flat, El Dorado (Mountain Ranch), Fourth Crossing, Glencoe, Jenny Lind, Jesus Maria, Milton, Mokelumne Hill, Murphys, O’Byrnes Ferry, Old Mining Camp of Brownsville, Paloma, Railroad Flat, Robinson’s Ferry, San Andreas, Sandy Gulch, Vallecito, Valley Springs, West Point, the birthplace of Archie Stevenot (SR 4, south of Angels Camp), California Caverns at Cave City, Angels Camp, and Altaville.
Local Registers Calaveras County currently does not have a local (County) register of historical properties. Several local historical societies exist in different communities in the county. These include the Angels Camp Museum, Calaveras County Archives, Calaveras County Genealogical Society, Calaveras County Historical Society, Mokelumne Hill History Society, Society for the Preservation of West Calaveras History, Murphys Old Timers Museum, and Sierra Nevada Logging Museum.
Native American Resources The Native American people occupying the County at the time of contact with non-Native American peoples (e.g., explorers, settlers) are called Mi-Wuk.9 The Mi-Wuk was a well-established society of hunters, fishermen, and plant-food gatherers whose territory stretched from the edge of the San Joaquin Valley to the high elevations of the Sierra Nevada. Traditional Mi-Wuk houses reportedly were made of thatching, tule matting, or slabs of bark over a conical framework of poles (Levy 1978:408). Other important structure types were the sweat lodge and the dance house, both of which are still in use today. Remains of some of these large structures have been found at archaeological sites in the central Sierra foothills. The archaeological record also contains remnants of a rich material culture, including: flaked stone hunting and butchering tools; plant-processing implements; cooking, eating, and storage vessels (including beautifully made baskets); and beads and ornaments made of shell, animal bone, and stone.
Paleontological Resources
Per the University of California Museum of Paleontology database, Calaveras County has yielded paleontological (fossil) resources. Based on past finds and the age of various geological formations in the County, it is likely that such resources will continue to be encountered in the County, especially in association with caves, limestone formations, and the Mehrten (geological) formation,
9 Also spelled Miwok or Me-Wuk
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Associated Plans and Documents The County maintains confidential maps of identified cultural resources and cultural resource reports completed for individual projects. Most of these are considered confidential and are unavailable to the public pursuant to state and federal regulations10.
The primary resource consulted for the location and nature of identified cultural resources are representatives from the local Native American community and the Central California Information System at California State University, Stanislaus. Similarly, information pertaining to paleontological resources is maintained by the University of California Museum of Paleontology and other state and federal agencies. The locations of many of these resources are also protected.11
The County has adopted one set of historic architectural guidelines, for the community of Mokelumne Hill. The Mokelumne Hill Design Review Guidelines were adopted by the Board of Supervisors, Resolution No. 2012-163 on November 13, 2012.
10 California Government Code Section 6254.10, National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 [16United States Code (USC), Section 470w-3)], Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 [16 USC Section 470hh)], Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988 [16 USC Section 4304]. 11 Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988 [16 USC Section 4304] and the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470aaa et seq.
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Goals and Policies
Goal and Policies: Healthy Forests, Woodlands, and Rangelands
Goal
COS-1 Healthy forests, woodlands, and rangelands free from unnatural accumulation of trees and brush, close to their historic, natural (pre-fire-suppression) condition, thereby decreasing the risk of catastrophic wildfires and increasing water supply and quality, wildlife habitat and forage, air quality, scenic resources, and recreational opportunities.
Policies
COS 1.1 Support the use of prescribed burning, mechanical removal, or other means to remove brush, small trees, and dead and dying trees in the county’s forests. (IM COS-2B, COS 2C, COS-2D, COS-2E and COS-2F)
COS 1.2 Support the management of oak woodlands, chaparral, and other brushlands to minimize fire hazards and promote healthy habitat and productive grazing land through use of prescribed burning, mechanical removal, and other means. (IM COS-2A, COS-2B, COS- 2D and COS-2E)
COS 1.3 Encourage initiatives to utilize vegetation removed from forests, oak woodlands, and brush lands for energy production and greenhouse gas reduction. (IM COS-2E)
Goal and Policies: Water Resources / Water Quality
Goal
COS-2 High quality and abundant water resources.
Policies
COS 2.1 Participate in regional, watershed-level and integrated resources management planning efforts to improve watershed health and water quality. (IM COS-2A, COS-2D and COS- 3D)
COS 2.2 Protect the County’s surface and ground water resources and watersheds from uses that could adversely impact water quality. (IM COS-3Aand COS-3B)
COS 2.3 Encourage the use of design features in new development to capture stormwater and recharge groundwater. (IM COS-3B and COS-3C)
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Goal and Policies: Biological Resources
Goal
COS-3 A diversity of native plants, fish, and wildlife species and their habitats.
Policies
COS 3.1 New development shall use site planning techniques, including buffers, and setbacks, and encourage clustering of development to protect sensitive biological resources. (IM COS-4B)
COS 3.2 Avoid impacts to special status and sensitive biological resources to the extent practicable and, where avoidance is impracticable, mitigate impacts consistent with state and federal policies. Avoid impacts to habitats that are known to support state or federally listed species. Where impacts cannot be avoided, mitigate impacts in accordance with resource agency (CDFW and/or USFWS) protocols/policies for the listed species. For project sites that support suitable breeding or dispersal habitats for listed species, in the absence of focused surveys proving absence, mitigation is warranted. For applicants that choose not to mitigate or compensate for impacts to such habitat based on the assumption that the habitat is suitable breeding or dispersal habitats for listed species, the County shall require project specific site surveys conducted per resource agency guidance for the FESA/CESA species in question by a permitted biologist. If such surveys are conducted with applicable resource agency concurrence and do not produce detections, then mitigation requirements may be diminished or not be required by the County. When appropriate, mitigation for impacts to CESA/FESA listed species and/or their habitats may be accomplished via CDFW and/or USFWS approval for the applicant to purchase species compensation credits from an agency-approved conservation bank. For mitigation that includes avoidance on project sites or that provides offsite mitigation land preservation that will be protected in a conservation easement, a qualified biologist shall be required to develop a long-term maintenance and management plan, and a Property Analysis Record (PAR) or PAR-Like Endowment Spreadsheet Analyses for any onsite species avoidance area, and/or for either on or offsite mitigation preserves established to compensate for a project’s effects on CESA/FESA listed species. (IM COS-3B, COS-4B, COS-4C, COS-4F, COS-4H, COS-4I, COS-4K, COS-4L, COS-4N and COS-4O)
COS 3.3 Require new development to identify and mitigate impacts to wildlife habitat and, wetlands, riparian habitats and other aquatic resources consistent with state and federal regulations. (IM COS-4,d COS-4C, COS-4H, COS-4I, COS-4K, COS-4L, COS-4N and COS-4O) COS 3.4 Identify and protect corridors important to wildlife movement and dispersal. (IM COS-4C and COS-4E) COS 3.5 Encourage preservation of oak woodlands in accordance with state law. (IM COS-4D) COS 3.6 Conservation easements may be acceptable means to mitigate impacts to protect wildlife habitat, wetland areas, and oak woodlands from new development. (IM COS-4D, COS- 4F, COS-4H, COS-4I, COS-4K, COS-4L, COS-4N and COS-4O) COS 3.7 Support efforts to eradicate invasive species and encourage practices that reduce their spread. (IM COS-4G and COS-4J)
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COS 3.8 Require development that is subject to a discretionary entitlement and subject to CEQA review to evaluate potential impacts to oak woodlands using the methodologies identified below and shall require avoidance, preservation, and/or mitigation for potentially significant and significant impacts. Measures that shall be implemented include: • Enlist the services of a qualified biologist, botanist, Registered Professional Forester, or arborist to survey the property in question for oak woodlands; • To assess impacts on properties with a development footprint smaller than 10 acres the oak trees shall be counted and their diameter at breast height (DBH) determined; the number of trees that will be impacted shall be determined. On properties greater than 10 acres the acreage of contiguous oak woodland (based upon canopy cover) shall be calculated and the acreage of impact shall be quantified. This may be completed by the qualified biologist, botanist, Registered Professional Forester, or arborist using a global positioning system (GPS) in the field, or in the lab working from current aerial photographs. • The dripline/canopy of the oak woodlands that are to be preserved shall be shown on all site development plans, grading plans, and/or engineering drawings so that all contractors are aware that this community is sensitive, protected, and must be avoided by project plans to the extent practicable. • On properties less than five acres, mitigation requirements shall include that removed oak trees shall be replaced at a mitigation ratio determined at the discretion of the County Planning Department. This ratio will be based on the species of oak removed. For example, for oak species that are common in the county, such as interior live oak (Quercus wislizenii), mitigation ratios may be lower than for less common oak species such as blue oaks (Quercus douglasii), valley oak (Quercus lobata) or black oaks (Quercus kelloggii). Ratios shall vary from 1:1 to as high as 3:1 at the discretion of the County Planning Department staff, and mitigation tree sizes shall vary between 5-gallon pots to 15-gallon box trees, depending on the size of the trees removed/impacted. • On properties between five and 10 acres, preservation requirements would include that a minimum of 20 percent of existing oak woodland canopy shall be preserved unless it is demonstrated to the County that such preservation would prevent feasible development of a parcel. In addition, tree replacement mitigation shall be as prescribed above for properties that are less than five acres. • On properties between five and 10 acres where on-site protection of 20 percent of existing oak woodland canopy is infeasible, and/or where tree replacement mitigation is infeasible, mitigation shall include one or more of the following measures: (1) A monetary contribution commensurate with the acreage of impacts to oak woodland shall be paid to the State’s Oak Woodlands Conservation Fund for the purpose of purchasing oak woodland conservation easements as close to the project site as possible, and if feasible, within Calaveras County; (2) a combination of on-site and off-site planting as close to the project site as possible, and if feasible, within Calaveras County at a tree replacement ratio as described for properties that are less than five acres or above; or, (3) mitigation through oak woodland preservation at an acreage commensurate with the acreage of impacted oak woodland via recordation of a conservation easement that facilitates the perpetual protection of oak woodland. A management plan and Property Analysis Record (PAR), or PAR-Like Endowment Spreadsheet Analyses shall be completed for any site intended for protection of oak woodland to ensure adequate in-perpetuity management. • On parcels greater than 10 acres, preservation requirements would include that a minimum of 30 percent of existing oak woodland canopy shall be preserved. In addition, mitigation shall include one or more of the following measures: (1) A monetary contribution commensurate with the acreage of impacts to oak woodland shall be paid to the State’s Oak Woodlands Conservation Fund for the purpose of purchasing oak woodland conservation easements as close to the project site as possible, and if feasible, within Calaveras County;(2) a combination of onsite and
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offsite planting as close to the project site as possible, and if feasible, within Calaveras County at a tree replacement ratio as described for properties that are less than 5 acres above; or, (3) mitigation through oak woodland preservation at an acreage that is commensurate with the acreage of impacted oak woodland via recordation of a conservation easement that facilitates the perpetual protection of oak woodland. A management plan and Property Analysis Record (PAR), or PAR-Like Endowment Spreadsheet Analyses shall be completed for any site intended for protection of oak woodland to ensure adequate in-perpetuity management. (IM COS- 4D)
COS 3.9 Where practicable, improve the ability of listed species and any native wildlife to safely cross highways and roadways to reduce human injuries and fatalities resulting from vehicle-animal collisions. (IM COS-4M)
COS 3.10 Where practicable, improve the ability of listed species and any native wildlife to safely cross highways and roadways to reduce human injuries and fatalities resulting from vehicle-animal collisions.
Goals and Policies: Air Quality/Greenhouse Gases
Goals COS-4A Air quality in compliance with applicable state and federal standards that contributes to the health and safety and maintains the quality of life of the County’s residents and visitors.
COS-4B Greenhouse gas emissions associated with vehicular travel, electric power generation, and energy use in compliance with applicable state goals and standards.
Policies
COS 4.1 Coordinate local air quality programs with regional programs aimed at improving air quality. (IM COS-5A)
COS 4.2 New development shall separate and/or buffer sensitive receptors from harmful air emission sources. Where feasible, buffer distances shall be maintained in compliance with the CARB’s Air Quality and Land Use Handbook or as directed by the CCAPCD. Where buffer distances cannot be maintained per the CARB’s guidance, and a proposed project may result in the exposure of sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations, the County shall require the preparation of a Health Risk Assessment for the proposed project. Such Health Risk Assessments shall be conducted in compliance with guidance from the CCAPCD as well as the State Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. The Health Risk Assessment shall include, where necessary, recommendations to reduce potential health risks to sensitive receptors through including, but not limited to, the following: • Buffer requirements; • The installation of air filtration devices; • Restrictions on the hours of operations of sources of TACs; and/or • The implementation best available control technologies. Require that the recommendations from the Health Risk Assessment are implemented, as applicable, to ensure that sensitive receptors are not subject to substantial health risk effects related to harmful air emission sources. (IM COS-5A)
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COS 4.3 Continue to work with state and federal agencies to acknowledge, and reflect in air quality regulations, that air pollutant movement from the Valley to mountain counties is the primary contributor to degraded air quality in Calaveras County. (IM COS-5A)
COS 4.4 Develop and adopt a comprehensive strategy to assist in achieving emission reduction goals of AB 32 and SB 32. (IM COS-5B, COS-5C and COS-5D)
COS 4.5 Encourage retention of existing mature trees in landscaping for new development, consistent with fire protection needs, to facilitate carbon sequestration. (IM LU-4A and LU-4C)
COS 4.6 Encourage alternatives to open burning of yard debris and construction clearing. (IM COS-2E and COS-5D)
COS 4.7 Encourage energy conserving construction techniques and the use of alternative energy sources. (IM COS-5E)
COS 4.8 Encourage the use and installation of alternative energy generating systems, including solar, wind, bio fuel, and other systems, in new development and in retrofitting existing structures. (IM COS-2E and COS-5E)
COS 4.9 Continue to implement emissions reductions programs such as the Carl Moyer Program, and find methods of incentivizing the replacement or retrofit of small emissions sources throughout the County, such as the replacement of existing wood stoves with EPA Phase II certified appliances, and the installation of new replacement engines or technologies to reduce emission from off-road and on-road engines within the County.
COS 4.10 Should proposed developments within the County be anticipated to result in significant impacts related to the emission of criteria air pollutants, the County shall require the applicable mitigation measures provided in the CCAPCD’s Guidelines for Assessing and Mitigating Air Quality Impacts of Land Use Projects.
COS 4.11 All construction, grading, quarrying, and surface mining operations within the County shall be required to consider asbestos emissions per CCAPCD Tule 906 – Asbestos Airborne Toxic Control Measure, and the California Air Resources Board’s Final Regulation Order 2002-07-29 Asbestos ATCM for Construction, Grading, Quarrying, and Surface Mining Operations.
COS 4.12 New development shall separate and/or buffer sensitive receptors from sources of odiferous compounds. Should new developments be anticipated to result in the emission of odiferous compounds in proximity to existing or proposed sensitive receptors, the new source of odors shall be required to implement the best available control technologies to reduce the potential exposure of future receptors to odors. Additionally, if a proposed project includes placement of new sensitive receptors in proximity to existing sources of odors, the proposed project shall be required to formally notify future sensitive receptors of the likelihood of exposure to substantial odors.
COS 4.13 Investigate the potential use of woody biomass generated through forest management, such as thinning and defensible space clearing, for the generation of renewable energy.
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Goal and Policy: Scenic Resources
Goal
COS-5 Abundant scenic resources that preserve rural character, quality of life, and tourism- based economic development, while protecting property rights.
Policies
COS 5.1 Encourage the conservation of natural and historic landscapes and important landmarks as scenic resources important to the County’s rural character, scenic beauty and the tourism component of the economy. (IM COS-6Aand COS-6B)
COS 5.2 Maintain scenic resources along designated scenic highways in the County. (IM COS- 6Aand COS-6B)
COS 5.3 Proposed new development shall consider include design features that enhance and compliment the scenic qualities of the natural resources of the site and the surrounding area in the design of the project. (IM COS-6Aand COS-6B)
Goal and Policies: Recreation Resources
Goal
COS-6 A high-quality system of recreational facilities enhancing the quality of life and health of residents and visitors and contributing to the County’s economy.
Policies
COS 6.1 Work with the Calaveras County Parks & Recreation Committee, community organizations and special districts to develop park and active recreation facilities, striving to provide a minimum of 3 acres of local park land for every 1,000 County residents. (IM COS-7A, COS-7B, COS-7C and COS-7G)
COS 6.2 Establish recreational facility development standards for new development. (IM COS-7A) COS 6.3 Pursue partnerships with public and private entities that make the most of limited funding, share maintenance costs, provide important linkages between recreational facilities and generally expand the quality and quantity of recreational opportunities countywide. (IM COS-7D)
COS 6.4 Facilitate the provision of and access to local and regional trail systems. (IM COS-7E and COS-7F)
COS 6.5 Design recreational facilities to minimize ongoing maintenance costs and reduce potential environmental impacts. (IM COS-7H)
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COS 6.6 Consider the environmental sensitivity as well as the efficacy of the sites chosen for new recreation facilities. Whenever possible, sites that are less environmentally sensitive shall be selected for placement of new recreation facilities.
Goal and Policies: Cultural and Paleontological Resources
Goal
COS-7 Preserve prehistoric, archaeological, cultural, historical, and paleontological resources.
Policies
COS 7.1 New development shall be designed to avoid significant cultural and paleontological resources to the maximum extent feasible. (IM COS-8A, COS-8B, COS-8C, COS-8D, COS-8F, and COS-8G and COS-8H)
COS 7.2 Develop and maintain strong working relationships and effective intergovernmental review procedures with local Native American tribes and representatives to identify, evaluate, and, where necessary, preserve unique Native American archaeological and significant Native American historical resources, including significant tribal cultural resources. (COS-8A, COS-8D, COS-8E and COS-8F)
COS 7.3 Encourage the inclusion of cultural resources into new development design where it is feasible. (IM LU-4A, LU-4D and LU-4E)
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Implementation Program
Measures: General
COS-1A Open Space Zoning Ordinance Review the County Code and revise as necessary, or adopt a new open space zoning ordinance pursuant to Government Code §65910 et seq., as a means to identify lands which have been dedicated to open space purposes for managing unique, important, or significant natural and cultural resources
Implements: Policies COS 2.2, COS 3.1, COS 3.2, COS 5.1, LU 1.1, LU 1.4, RP 1.1, RP 1.3 and RP 1.5 Responsible Entity: Planning Department
Measures: Healthy Forests, Woodlands, and Rangelands
COS-2A Watershed Management Work with water agencies that use water generated in Calaveras County to share costs of watershed management, including vegetation removal, to increase water flows.
Implements: Policies COS 1.2, and COS 2.1 Responsible Entities: Administration, Public Works and Planning Departments
COS-2B Prescribed Burning Encourage the USFS, BLM, Calfire, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and other interested agencies to support the increased use of prescribed burns on public and private lands.
Implements: Policies COS 1.1 and COS 1.2 Responsible Entities: Board of Supervisors and Adminstration
COS-2C Air Quality Regulations re Prescribed Burning Support modification of air quality regulations to accommodate the increased use of prescribed burning and other disposal methods on public and private lands, where such activity would not pose a threat to nearby sensitive receptors or regional air quality.
Implements: Policies COS 1.1and COS 1.2 Responsible Entity: Air Pollution Control District
COS-2D Watershed Improvement Program Support and participate in efforts such as the Sierra Nevada Watershed Improvement Program that strive to establish and maintain healthy forests.
Implements: Policies COS 1.1 and COS 1.2 Responsible Entity: Board of Supervisors, Administration
COS-2E Green Waste Review the zoning ordinance and Air Pollution Control District regulations and amend as necessary to facilitate the development of green waste to energy projects and other projects that convert green waste to products.
Implements: Policies COS 1.1, COS 1.3, COS 4.6 and COS 4.8
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Responsible Entity: Planning Department and APCD
COS-2F Tree Mortality Participate with federal, state, and other local programs to reduce tree mortality.
Implements: Policy COS 1.1 Responsible Entities: Board of Supervisors, Administration and Public Works Department
Measures: Water Resources/Water Quality
COS-3A Post-Construction Stormwater Management Measures Apply conditions of approval to development projects that require post-construction maintenance and allow monitoring of stormwater management treatment systems and hydromodification controls.
Implements: Policy COS 2.2 Responsible Entity: Public Works Department
COS-3B Grading, Drainage and Erosion Control Review planning and permitting processes to assess implementation of post-construction erosion control measures and best management practices. Where improvements are necessary amend the Design Manual for Grading, Drainage and Erosion Control and/or the County’s Grading Ordinance to correct gaps impacting effective implementation.
Implements: Policies COS 2.2, COS 2.3 and COS 3.2 Responsible Entity: Public Works Department
COS-3C Stream and Wetland Setback Guidelines For new development, adopt building and/or grading setback standards for intermittent and perennial streams (as identified on USGS topographic maps and verified by field survey) and wetlands. The standards may contain a provision for reduction of the setback based on a qualified biologist’s recommendation. In the interim, require new development to identify wetlands and riparian habitat areas. Where feasible, the developer shall designate a buffer around each area sufficient to protect them from degradation, encroachment, or loss or shall develop a mitigation compensation plan consistent with state and federal policies.
Implements: Policy COS 2.2 Responsible Entity: Planning, Building and Public Works Departments
COS-3D Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Planning Efforts Participate in and keep appraised of Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) planning efforts in Calaveras County and identified mutually beneficial solutions for regional watershed management including efforts to protect water quality.
Implements: Policy COS 2.1 Responsible Entity: Planning and Public Works Departments, CAO
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Measures: Biological Resources
COS-4A Database of Biological Resources Coordinate with the State in maintaining an up-to-date database of biological resources to assist planners in assessing the potential biological sensitivity of project sites and their surroundings, including data from local, state and federal databases and addressing special use areas (corridors, wintering habitat, nesting sites). Where feasible, support efforts to fill in unmapped vegetation data gaps.
Implements: Policy COS 3.2 Responsible Entity: Planning Department
COS-4B Mitigation Options for Biological Resources Adopt written guidelines establishing mitigation measures acceptable to Calaveras County for mitigating impacts to sensitive biological resources. Applicants may apply these mitigation options or hire a qualified professional biologist to identify alternative mitigation.
Implements: Policies COS 3.1, COS 3.2 and COS 3.3 Responsible Entity: Planning Department
COS-4C Habitat Conservation Plan for Amphibians Subject to available funding and in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Wildlife, pursue a countywide habitat conservation plan to allow incidental take of California tiger salamander and California red-legged frog habitat. Consider expanding the plan to include special status species occupying similar habitats. Consider coordinating the effort with neighboring counties to assist in sharing the costs of preparing the plan and to expand mitigation opportunities.
Implements: Policies COS 3.2and COS 3.3 Responsible Entity: Planning Department
COS-4D Oak Woodlands Develop a mitigation program in addition to the mitigation measures provided in the Oak Woodlands Preservation Act of 201412, where the County determines a project will have a significant effect on oak woodlands, to facilitate the environmental review process relative to mitigating significant direct and cumulative impacts to oak woodlands in conjunction with discretionary project approval and address pre-development removal of oaks.
Implements: Policies COS 3.5, COS 3.6 and COS 3.8 Responsible Entity: Planning Department
COS-4E Wildlife Corridors/Crossings Consider California Department of Fish and Wildlife data for the purpose of establishing guidelines for protecting important wildlife movement corridors to be applied in conjunction with environmental reviews for discretionary projects.
Implements: Policies COS 3.4 and COS 3.9 Responsible Entity: Planning Department
COS-4F Voluntary Biological Resource Conservation Activities
12 Fish and Game Code Section 1625 et seq.
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Support efforts where appropriate to identify and acquire high value biological resource areas from willing sellers on private lands for the purpose of mitigating impacts to biological resources.
Implements: Policies COS 3.2 and COS 3.6 Responsible Entity: Planning Department
COS-4G Invasive Species Coordinate with state and Federal agencies and programs and other organizations to control the spread of invasive species. Work to secure funding where available to support these efforts.
Implements: Policy COS 3.7 Responsible Entity: Agriculture Department
COS-4H Impacts to Biological Resources Require development that is subject to a discretionary entitlement and subject to environmental review under CEQA to evaluate potential impacts to biological resources and to minimize, avoid and/or mitigate significant impacts to the following special-status species or as otherwise required by State or Federal law: • Threatened and endangered plant and animal species listed by the Federal Endangered Species Act. • Rare, threatened and endangered plant and animal species listed by the California Endangered Species Act. • Other special-status species including, but not limited to: o Federal candidate species for listing under the FESA; o State candidate species for listing under the CESA; o California Fully Protected Species (protected pursuant to Fish and Game Code); o California Species of Special Concern (protected pursuant to CEQA Guideline §15382); o Plant species listed by the California Native Plant Society as Ranks 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B (protected pursuant to CEQA Guideline §15382); o Nesting birds (protected pursuant to California Fish and Game Codes §§3503, 3503.5, 3511, and 3513 which prohibit the “take, possession, or destruction of birds, their nests or eggs.”); o Birds of prey. All raptors (that is, hawks, eagles, owls) their nests, eggs, and young are protected under California Fish and Game Code (§3503.5); o Birds protected pursuant to the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act; o Bald eagles and golden eagles as protected pursuant to the federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668-668d) and California Fish and Game Code (Section 3503.5).
COS-4I Biological Impact Evaluation For development that is subject to a discretionary entitlement and subject to environmental review under the CEQA, the County shall require project applicants to enlist the services of a qualified biologist to evaluate a proposed project’s impact on biological resources and determine what avoidance measures or mitigation measures are warranted to offset or mitigate these impacts unless the County determines the development project to be minor and without potential for a significant impact. The County shall adopt the feasible recommendations of a biologist.
Implements: Policies COS 3.2, COS 3.3 and COS 3.6 Responsible Entity: Planning Department
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COS-4J Biological Impact Evaluation Development that is subject to a discretionary entitlement and subject to CEQA review shall be required to evaluate potential impacts to sensitive and significant communities using the methodologies identified below and shall require mitigation for potentially significant and significant impacts. • Enlist the services of a qualified biologist or botanist to survey the property in question for sensitive and significant plant communities including riparian and Ione chaparral; • If any sensitive or significant plant community is identified on the proposed property, the qualified biologist or botanist shall map the dripline (canopy) and/or extent of the rare plant community using global positioning system (GPS) technology; • The dripline/canopy and/or sensitive plant communities that are to be preserved shall be shown on all site development plans, grading plans, and/or engineering drawings so that all contractors are aware that this community is sensitive and as such, impacts must be minimized by project plans to the extent possible. Riparian drip line impacts require additional scrutiny and may require additional permitting from the CDFW pursuant to Section 1602 of the Fish and Game Code. • Mitigation for project impacts on the sensitive habitat can include onsite planting mitigation compensation, or offsite mitigation through preservation via recordation of a conservation easement that facilitates the perpetual protection of similar habitat types as those that are impacted, consistent with COS-3.6, as necessary to reduce impacts to a less-than-significant level.
Implements: Policies COS 3.2, COS 3.3 and COS 3.6 Responsible Entity: Planning Department
COS-4K Invasive Species Control Support efforts to eradicate invasive species and encourage practices that reduce their spread (IM COS-4G). This can be completed by: • Require new developments to submit landscape plans that are comprised of mostly native California plant species and avoid landscaping with invasive plant species. Such plans would be subject to the review and approval of the County Planning Department. • On properties proposed for development or redevelopment that have been identified by a qualified botanist to support those invasive plant species that are identified on the California Invasive Plant Council inventory as having a ranking of “high” invasiveness (or in the case of the plant, stinkwort, which has a “moderate” ranking), removal efforts should be undertaken. The best means to remove the invasive species (for example, hand-removal or the use of herbicides) would be determined on a property by property basis by the contracted botanist/qualified biologist/restoration ecologist. • To the maximum extent practicable, mechanical means (hand, tools, vehicles, appropriate animals, such as the short-term use of domestic goats) shall be utilized to remove and control invasive weeds. If this is not possible, herbicides may be utilized. Use of herbicides must be undertaken by a licensed herbicide applicator.
Implements: Policy COS 3.7 Responsible Entity: Planning Department
COS-4K Streams and Wetlands For any discretionary permit that will be required for a property that has been identified on any resource map as supporting waters (creeks, rivers, streams, tributaries) and/or wetlands (for example, ponds, marshes, vernal pools), or that constitutes an open space or natural lands conversion, the County will require the land owner/project applicant to contract with a qualified wetlands scientist or biologist to evaluate if the project could
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result in the fill or hydrologic disruption of waters of the U.S./State (which includes wetlands) onsite or offsite. If a preliminary evaluation determines that a proposed project could adversely affect waters of the U.S./State, then a qualified wetlands scientist or biologist should delineate the extent of regulated waters in accordance with the federal and state policies.
In compliance with Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, jurisdictional waters of the U.S. shall be identified and mapped per the applicable regulations established by the Corps.
If project development plans include placement of a culvert, pipe, stormwater outfall, or earthen fill or rip-rap into any waters of the U.S./State, the County shall require the property owner/project applicant to apply to the Corps and the RWQCB for the appropriate permits prior to completing any action in the designated regulated waters. Proof of issuance of such permits shall be provided to the County prior to the commencement of such activities requiring permits from the Corps/RWQCB.
Similarly, if project plans call for impacting a stream channel (anything with a defined bed, bank or channel), or within the driplines of associated riparian canopy, the County shall require the project applicant to contact the CDFW to determine if the project requires a California Fish and Game Code Section 1602 permit (i.e., a “Streambed Alteration Agreement”).
Should the County desire to obtain a Routine Maintenance Agreement with the CDFW, Corps, or RWQCB for maintenance of tributary flow capacities, and other modifications to stream channels necessary to prevent localized or regional flooding, the County shall apply for such an agreement from the appropriate state or federal agency listed above.
Any mitigation measures required by these resource agencies shall become conditions of project approval enforceable by Calaveras County.
COS-4L Upland Habitat Work with applicants to preserve or enhance upland habitat for wildlife species to the maximum extent feasible on parcels slated for development containing suitable habitat (e.g. areas used for foraging, breeding, dispersal, etc.). Habitat preservation and enhancement shall be encouraged throughout the County in a way that promotes regional connectivity of open space habitats. The County shall work with applicants to design development to be compatible with wildlife movement. Mitigation measures may include installing wildlife friendly fencing or lighting to minimize interference with wildlife movement. Creek corridors shall be preserved in undeveloped open spaces or under conservation easements as creek corridors provide linear wildlife corridors through the County. Similarly, if open spaces are to be preserved within developed areas, they shall have connectivity to/with other dedicated or undevelopable open space lands to the extent possible.
Implements: Policies COS 3.2, COS 3.3 and COS 3.6 Responsible Entity: Planning Department
COS-4M Riparian Corridors Adopt an ordinance or resolution conserving riparian corridors. In the interim, lake, pond, river, and perennial stream corridor habitat shall be conserved through retention of undisturbed buffers with building setback and the requirement to avoid any barrier to wildlife movement along the water corridor. Within Community Areas as identified on the Land Use Map, new development shall ensure that buffers of a minimum width of 75’ from the centerline of the stream or river are left undisturbed along stream corridors. Outside of Community Areas, buffers of a minimum width of 100’ from lake or pond or from the centerline of the stream or river shall be left undisturbed. The width of the buffer
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may be reduced based on a recommendation from a qualified biologist that the reduced width will provide a comparable wildlife movement corridor.
Implements: Policies COS 3.2, COS 3.3 and COS 3.6 Responsible Entity: Planning Department
COS-4N Wildlife Corridor Road Crossings In areas of the County where a significant wildlife corridor has been identified (e.g., a deer migration corridor, a federally or state listed amphibian migration route), the County and other parties proposing improvements in areas identified by CDFW as significant migration corridors, shall prepare and submit any improvement plans that must be approved by the County showing properly sized and constructed wildlife passage culverts or other under or over crossing plans that will provide safe passageways over or under constructed, improved or modified roadways. In significant wildlife corridors areas, when possible, fencing will be used to direct animals to these under crossings or other roadway crossings. Safety signage may also be utilized to alert drivers to specific areas used by mule deer and other large wildlife for roadway crossings.
Implements: Policies COS 3.4 and COS 3.9 Responsible Entity: Planning Department
COS-4O Bat Roosting Prior to the removal of potential bat roosting sites, a pre-project survey shall be conducted by a qualified biologist to determine which bat species are using the site. Should bat species be found present on-site, feasible mitigation shall be required, such as installing exclusionary devices at the instruction of a qualified biologist and/or construction of replacement roost structures, including bat houses, other structures, or crevices incorporated into bridge design. Replacement roost structures should be monitored to document bat use.
Implements: Policies COS 3.2, COS 3.3 and COS 3.6 Responsible Entity: Planning Department
COS-4P Wetlands Development with the potential to dredge or fill material into, or otherwise impact, wetlands or waters of the U.S. shall apply for appropriate permitting from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Where direct or indirect impacts such as grading, fill, or hydrologic disturbance may affect wetlands, aquatic impact minimization measures shall be applied to minimize any potential impacts, consistent with applicable U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requirements.
Implements: Policies COS 3.2, COS 3.3 and COS 3.6 Responsible Entity: Planning Department
Measures: Air Quality/Greenhouse Gases
COS-5A Regional Air Quality Planning Efforts Provide representation from Calaveras County at regional planning events that address the issues and opportunities available for effective air quality management [e.g., preparing a regional Air Quality Plan or State Implementation Plan (SIP)] and implement those components applicable to Calaveras County as prescribed by state and federal regulations, as feasible, and continue to comply with the rules set forth by the CCAPCD and CARB.
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Implements: Policies COS 4.1, COS 4.2 and COS 4.3 Responsible Entity: Air Pollution Control District and Planning Department
COS-5B GHG Baseline for Calaveras County Undertake a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory to establish baseline levels of GHGs generated from all major emission sources in the County, including those in the City of Angels Camp, consistent with the requirements of Assembly Bill 32 (California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006) and SB 32.
Implements: Policy 4.4 Responsible Entity: Air Pollution Control District and Planning Department
COS-5C GHG Reduction Plan Develop a GHG reduction plan outlining the strategies, goals, and actions for contributing to the overall reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions consistent with AB 32 and SB 32. The GHG Reduction Plan shall incorporate measures from the Model Policies for Greenhouse Gases in General Plans document produced by the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (2009), as applicable.
Implements: Policies COS 4.4 and C 1.3 Responsible Entity: Air Pollution Control District, CAO and Planning Department
COS-5D Green Waste Collection Provide green waste collection programs at County-operated landfill and transfer stations where feasible. Utilize public/private partnerships to utilize green waste in alternative uses and waste to energy facilities.
Implements: Policies COS 4.4 and COS 4.6 Responsible Entity: Public Works and Planning Departments
COS-5E Incentives for Alternative Energy Modify the County’s development standards and zoning ordinance to provide incentives for providing alternative energy producing facilities compatible with surrounding uses, such as solar arrays in parking lots that serve to provide shade and energy production. Coordinate with and support state and federal programs that assist landowners in energy conservation and production.
Implements: Policies COS 1.3, COS 4.7 and COS 4.8 Responsible Entity: Planning Department
COS-5F Air Pollutant Evaluation Evaluate proposed developments to determine whether they will emit criteria air pollutants, including greenhouse gasses, exceeding CCAPCD’s standards.
Implements: Policy COS 4.1 Responsible Entity: Planning Department
COS-5G Emission Reduction Programs The County shall continue to implement emissions reductions programs such as the Carl Moyer Program, and find methods of incentivizing the replacement or retrofit of small emissions sources throughout the County, such as the replacement of existing wood stoves with EPA Phase II certified appliances, and the installation of new replacement engines or technologies to reduce emission from off-road and on-road engines within the County.
Implements: Policy COS 4.1
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Responsible Entity: Planning Department
COS-5H Air Quality Guidelines Should proposed developments within the County be anticipated to result in significant impacts related to the emission of criteria air pollutants, the County shall require the applicable mitigation measures provided in the CCAPCD’s Guidelines for Assessing and Mitigating Air Quality Impacts of Land Use Projects.
Implements: Policy COS 4.1 Responsible Entity: Planning Department
Measures: Scenic Resources
COS-6A Flexible Development Standards Review and amend, as applicable, the County Code to incorporate flexible development standards that encourage the retention of scenic resources, landmarks and the natural landscape.
Implements: Policies COS 5.1, COS 5.2 and COS 5.3 Responsible Entity: Planning Department
COS-6B Hillside and Hilltop Construction Guidelines Formulate guidelines for hillside and hilltop development facilitating landscape compatible project design. Guidelines should address minimizing grading and the topographical alteration it necessitates, fire-safe construction techniques, vegetation retention, retaining wall enhancement, alternative road construction techniques to reduce cuts and fills, and illustrate techniques for blending new construction with the surrounding hillsides and hilltops.
Implements: Policies COS 5.1, COS 5.2 and COS 5.3 Responsible Entity: Planning and Public Works Departments
COS-6C Scenic Highway Protection Utilize the Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway 2013 Corridor Management Plan as guidance for review of development projects along the State Scenic Highway and National Scenic Byway.
Implements: Policy COS 5.2 Responsible Entity: Planning
Measures: Recreation Resources
COS-7A Recreational Facilities Revise Calaveras Code Chapter 16.24 to reflect a minimum standard of 3 acres of park and recreational facilities per 1000 residents. If a higher level of parkland to residents ratio exists, a higher standard, not to exceed 5 acres per 1000 residents, will be considered, as provided in Section 66477 of the Government Code.
Implements: Policies COS 6.1 and COS 6.2 Responsible Entity: Planning Department
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COS-7B Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Establish standards for when and how new residential subdivisions shall provide bicycle and pedestrian facilities and amend the Calaveras County Code accordingly.
Implements: Policies COS 6.2, C 1.1, C 1.8, C 1.13, C 5.1, C 5.2 and C 5.3 Responsible Entity: Planning and Public Works Departments
COS-7C Develop a Program to Identify and Provide Access to Public Waterways Develop a program to identify public waterways, lakes and reservoirs that do not already provide reasonable public access, but which are required to provide such access pursuant to state statutes.13
Implements: Policies COS 6.1 and COS 6.4 Responsible Entity: Planning Department
COS-7D Coordinated Recreation and Parks Planning Pursue partnerships and coordinate mutually beneficial recreation planning efforts with schools, utility agencies, community groups, Angels Camp, state and federal agencies, private, non-profit agencies, agritourism activities on private land, and others to promote shared use, expand the variety and quantity of available facilities, and to distribute costs and manpower to acquire, construct and maintain facilities. Link or incorporate recreational facilities from other entities with County facilities whenever feasible.
Implements: Policy COS 6.3 Responsible Entity: Administration
COS-7E Local and Regional Trail Systems Support and participate in efforts to prepare a consolidated, comprehensive master plan for biking, walking, riding, hiking/non-motorized and motorized transportation identifying existing and proposed facilities to assist in integrating future development into regional trail networks, tie trail systems to commercial centers and tourist destinations, identify locations for new trailheads and trail access points, connect trail heads with public transportation systems, and related planning activities.
Implements: Policy COS 6.4 Responsible Entity: Planning and Public Works Departments
COS-7F Corridor Plans Participate in comprehensive and regional highway, roadway, creek, river and other corridor planning efforts in cooperation with neighboring jurisdictions to identify opportunities for creating new and integrating existing recreational facilities and achieving other General Plan goals and policies (e.g., facilitating economic development, conserving scenic vistas, preserving water quality).
Implements: Policy COS 6.4 Responsible Entity: Planning and Public Works Departments
COS-7G Recreation Facility Inventory Maintain an inventory of existing recreational facilities.
Implements: Policy COS 6.1 Responsible Entity: Administration, Planning, and Public Works Departments
13 Public Resources Code/State Subdivision Map Act Section 66478.1 -66478.14
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COS-7H Recreation Master Plan Adopt a recreation master plan.
Implements: Policies COS 6.1 and COS 6.5 Responsible Entity: Administration, Planning, and Public Works Departments
COS-7I Parks and Recreation Funding Pursue funding and support efforts to provide funding for local community parks, recreation facilities and trail facilities using available funding sources.
Measures: Cultural Resources
COS-8A Identify Native American Resource Sensitivity Areas Update the County’s Archaeological Sensitivity Map in cooperation with local Native American archaeology and history representatives to assist planners in determining when cultural resource surveys shall be required in conjunction with the environmental review process. The County shall consult the updated Archaeological Sensitivity Map, in addition to other existing cultural resources information (e.g. pre- 1950 USGS topographic quadrangle maps, official townsite maps, Sanborn Insurance Maps, GIS database) in conjunction with the environmental review process for all discretionary approvals to identify sensitive areas and resources. If such cultural resources information indicates that sensitive areas and/or resources are likely to occur within the subject area, site-specific cultural resources surveys and/or treatment plans shall be required, at the applicant’s expense.
Implements: Policies COS 7.1 and COS7.2 Responsible Entity: Planning Department
COS-8B Central California Information Center Consider establishing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Central California Information Center (CCIC) at California State University, Stanislaus, to allow staff to directly request cultural resource data from the CCIC in conjunction with discretionary project reviews at the applicant’s expense. Evaluate the feasibility of including CCIC records search costs in application fees.
Implements: Policy COS 7.1 Responsible Entity: Planning Department
COS-8C Professional Qualification Standards for Cultural Resource Investigations Adopt standards for and require that cultural resource studies be conducted by qualified professionals with experience appropriate to the study being conducted. Establish and maintain a Calaveras County Consultants list with only certified professionals meeting these qualifications. The Secretary of the Interior Qualifications Standards shall provide the primary guidance for establishing qualifications.
Implements: Policy COS 7.1 Responsible Entity: Planning and Public Works Department
COS-8D Subsurface/Unanticipated Cultural Resources Adopt standardized language for, and apply as a condition of discretionary entitlements, provisions for addressing the discovery of “accidental,” subsurface, and/or “unanticipated” cultural resources encountered during the construction process.
Implements: Policies COS 7.1 and COS 7.2 Responsible Entity: Planning, and Public Works Departments
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COS-8E Support Cultural Resource Education and Stewardship Support efforts to improve recognition of the County’s cultural and historic heritage and promote community appreciation for Calaveras County's cultural resources through education, events, and activities that promote public and private stewardship of cultural resources.
Implements: Policy COS 7.2 Responsible Entity: Administration
COS-8F Treatment of Archaeological Resources Adopt, apply and incorporate in the Calaveras County Code standards for the treatment of archaeological resources.
Implements: Policies COS 7.1 and COS 7.2 Responsible Entity: Planning Department
COS-8G Register of Historic Resources Establish a County register of historic resources. Adopt a cultural resources management ordinance to include the following: • Implement the Mills Act; • Establish a County register of historic resources; • Utilization of the California State Historical Building Code; • Require a cultural resource study prior to demolition of buildings 75 years of age or older; and • Establish criteria for curation of artifacts recovered during construction of private and public projects.
Implements: Policy COS7.1 Responsible Entity: Planning and Building Departments
COS-8H Preservation of Historic Resources Require use of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties (1992) as a guide for evaluating development proposals involving cultural resources, such as restoration, alteration of, and additions to existing historic structures.
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