Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Conservation Easement with the Yolo Habitat Conservancy related to the County-owned Rodgers Property along Cache Creek; and direct staff to proceed with the steps necessary to enroll the Rodgers Property into the Yolo Habitat Conservation Plan and Natural Community Conservation Plan ("Yolo HCP/NCCP") reserve system. (No general fund impact) (Lindbo/Sabatini)

On December 2, 2014, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 14-126 supporting a conservation partnership with the Yolo HCP/NCCP Joint Powers Agency ("Yolo Habitat Conservancy") (Minute Order No. 14-166).  The partnership envisioned easements on between 250 and 660 acres of County-owned land within the area covered by the Cache Creek Area Plan ("CCAP").  A total of 154.4 acres of County-owned property within the CCAP has been placed under Yolo HCP/NCCP conservation easements to-date: the 38.9-acre Correll Property (APN #025-340-036), and the 115.5-acre Granite Woodland Reiff Property (APN #025-350-035).

The 30-acre Rodgers Property (APN #025-350-025) is within the CCAP, located south of Cache Creek at the northern terminus of County Road 96, approximately 1.85 miles northwest of the City of Woodland (Att. A).  The property was previously mined for gravel by Teichert before being restored to native habitat and open space.  The property was then transferred to the County on October 4, 2004, pursuant to the Teichert Woodland Development Agreement.  The site contains valley foothill riparian and grasslands habitat that support the conservation of Yolo HCP/NCCP covered species. 

The Rodgers Property Conservation Easement is based on the Yolo HCP/NCCP conservation easement template.  County staff have coordinated with the Yolo Habitat Conservancy to ensure that the proposed conservation easement is consistent with the biological goals and objectives of the CCAP and the HCP/NCCP, while also being compatible with the goals and objectives of the Cache Creek Parkway Plan which will establish an integrated system of trails and recreational areas along Lower Cache Creek.  The conservation easement has been approved by the Yolo Habitat Conservancy, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  As the Easement Holder, the Yolo Habitat Conservancy will pay for the on-going monitoring and habitat management costs associated with the conservation easement.

At this time, Staff is recommending that the Board of Supervisors approve the Rodgers Property Conservation Easement (Att. B).  The proposed conservation easement will count towards the fulfillment of the conservation commitments of the Yolo HCP/NCCP, and support the partnership between the County and the Yolo Habitat Conservancy as described in Resolution No. 14-126.  

Natural Resources Division staff collaborated with the Office of County Counsel and representatives from the Yolo Habitat Conservancy on this item.