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April 2006
California Oak Report
Oak Woodlands Mitigation: The Real Deal
There is often a significant difference between what California law requires for oak woodlands mitigation and current local practices, particularly by cities. The planting of oaks as a habitat mitigation measure continues to be insufficient from a sustainable wildlife/healthy watersheds standpoint. California Oak Foundation urges citizens to ask local officials for an accounting of how CEQA oak mitigation fees for past projects have been spent and what the results of those mitigation expenditures are; i.e. acres of oaks saved.
Lawful oak woodlands mitigation recognizes the following California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) criteria:
CEQA Guidelines §15370. Mitigation
"Mitigation" includes:
(a) Avoiding the impact altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an action.
(b) Minimizing impacts by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action and its implementation.
(c) Rectifying the impact by repairing, rehabilitating, or restoring the impacted environment.
(d) Reducing or eliminating the impact over time by preservation and maintenance operations during the life of the action.
(e) Compensating for the impact by replacing or providing substitute resources or environments.
CEQA Guidelines §15364. Feasible
"Feasible" means capable of being accomplished in a successful manner within a reasonable period of time, taking into account economic, environmental, legal, social, and technological factors.
1. Guidelines §15370(b) is implemented when an onsite oak preserve is proposed. If project oak woodland impacts remain significant even with a mitigating onsite oak reserve, then additional oak habitat mitigation is required.
2. Guidelines §15370(c) implementation through onsite oak planting is usually infeasible as habitat mitigation. Due to project density preferences there is rarely any land left onsite for purposeful oak habitat planting mitigation. Generally, funds for onsite planting would be far better spent as a dedication to the state Oak Woodlands Conservation Fund. These mitigation monies would be used by the state Wildlife Conservation Board to purchase local oak woodlands.
3. Guidelines §15370(d) is implemented by offsite oak planting mitigation occurring in preserved aggregations and places capable of successfully evolving into substitute oak habitat. Each county should foster the establishment of private land mitigation banks where offsite planting mitigation results in reestablishing and enhancing oak woodlands in perpetuity.
4. Guidelines §15370(e) is implemented by the combination of an onsite oak reserve and offsite oak planting mitigation or by replacing impacted oak woodland acres with proportional and reserved offsite oak woodlands.
Wildlife Conservation Board Honored
The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) has received national recognition from the Wildlife Management Institute for its partnership-based efforts to protect California's natural heritage. The award recognizes a state or federal agency for exceptional efforts in implementing a program that has made a significant contribution to the scientific management of natural resources.
WCB, part of the California Resources Agency, was established nearly 60 years ago to administer a capital outlay program for wildlife habitat protection. "Forging partnerships has been an extremely successful part of our program to protect California's unique natural heritage, and we are honored that the Wildlife Management Institute has acknowledged our efforts by presenting us with this award," said WCB Director Al Wright.
WCB and its partners have accomplished hundreds of successful habitat restoration and land conservation projects throughout California. In the last five years alone, these projects have protected 300,000 acres of rangelands and oak woodlands, 90,000 acres of forest lands, 23,000 acres of vernal pools and 9,000 acres of riparian habitat.
PCL Announces 2006 Legislative Forum
The Planning and Conservation League will be holding its legislative symposium, A Climate of Change, Saturday, April 29 in Sacramento. The conference reflects the PCL's commitment to developing environmental policies and legislation that serve the interests of all Californians while protecting the wild places and open spaces that are our shared natural heritage. For more information visit PCL to download the symposium brochure or to register on-line.
Humboldt SOD Campaign Begins
State and Federal officials have announced implementation of an experimental treatment program in southern Humboldt County to control the spread of Phytophthora ramorum, known as Sudden Oak Death (SOD). California State Parks property is project ground zero but several other sites in the area are slated for treatment this year. Discovered last October, this SOD site is thought to be the northernmost location of infected forests in California
The State Parks effort involves removing infected California bay laurel, madrone and tanoak trees, along with the pruning of coast redwood trees in a 50-acre area. Underburning applications may follow. Treatment results will be monitored long-term in the search for measures to control the spread of the pathogen on commercial timberlands.
Mark Your Calendars -- October Oak Symposium Announced
The Sixth California Oak Symposium will be held October 9-12, 2006 (field tours on Monday, Oct. 9) at the Doubletree Hotel, Sonoma Wine Country.
A symposium group rate of $84 per night for either single or double accommodations is available. When registering, be sure to indicate that you are with the "Oak Symposium" to ensure being given the group rate. Reservations may be made with the hotel direct at 707-584-5466 or 800-222-8733. For further details visit symposium website.
Merchandise
Oaks of California by Bruce M. Pavlik...[et al], co-published by Cachuma Press & the California Oak Foundation. The first book ever devoted to the state's native oaks celebrates the unique place held by these trees in California's natural and cultural heritage. Beautifully illustrated. 184 pg. Hardback (first printing) $29.95, soft back (fifth printing) $22.95 plus tax, shipping and handling. COF members entitled to 10% discount.
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Fax: 510-268-9948 oakstaff@californiaoaks.org
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