Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES NO 007-13RESOLUTION NO: 0 0 7 , 13 RESOLUTION ACCEPTING GRANT FUNDS FROM THE COOPERATIVE ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND (AUTHORIZED UNDER SECTION 6 OF THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT) WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Interior - Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded funds to continue development of a multi- species Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan area; and WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Interior has been delegated the responsibility for the administration of this grant program, establishing necessary procedures; and WHEREAS, said procedures established by the U.S. Department of Interior require an adopted resolution accepting the Section 6 grant funds and to use the grant funds as described in the Grant Application Project Statement (attached Exhibit A); and WHEREAS, the City of Bakersfield, will enter into an agreement with the State of California - Department of Fish and Wildlife to continue development of a multi- species Bakersfield HCP. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND FOUND BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAKERSFIELD as follows: 1. The City Council hereby accepts the grant funds from the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (authorized under Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act), less the State of California's HCP grant program administrative costs; 2. The Section 6 grant funds will be used as described in the Grant Application Project Statement (attached Exhibit A); 3. The terms and conditions of the award (attached Exhibit B) will be met based on the application submitted to, and as approved by U.S. Department of Interior; 4. That as the grant funding became effective on November 1, 2012, the funds must be used within three years, through October 31, 2015, with a total Federal share in the amount of $945,000 and with the City receiving approximately $700,000 after the State deducts the administrative costs for managing the HCP grant program. lz� ,;bAKk9q � r V O ORIGINAL I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted, by the Council of the City of Bakersfield at a regular meeting thereof held on IAN Z 3 2013 by the following vote: ,i ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ AYES: - COUNCILMEMBER: MAXWELL, WEIR, SMITH, HANSON, SULLIVAN, JOHNSON NOES: COUNCILMEMBER: f,\Q Y,\Q, ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBER: ,no Y-\9,- 1 ` ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBER: Dr\k✓ Roberta Gafford, CM CITY CLERK and Ex Of cl Clerk of the Council of the City of Bakersfield JAN 2 3 2013 APPROVED as to form: VIRGINIA GENNARO City Attorney By: •ll� 4/4> Exhibits: A Grant Application Project Statement B Terms and Conditions of the Award PE - T: \Planning \BRHCP \Phase 2 \City Council Docs \012313 resolution.docx > m ORIGINAL EXHIBIT "A" wnnr rrwrrnu cnD Version 7103 FEDERAL ASSISTANCE 2. DATE SUBMITTED Applicant Identifier CA Dept. of Fish and Game 1. TYPE OF SUBMISSION: 3. DATE RECEIVED BY STATE State Application Identifier Application Pre- applicatlon G1282002 4. DATE RECEIVED BY FEDERAL AGENCY Federal Identifier Construction Construction Non-Construdon 1 7 E..r F1-2A.1)0123 1. S. APPLICANT INFORMATION Legal Name: Organizational Unit' Department: State of California California Department of Fish and Game Organizational DUNS: 80-832 -2358 Division: Habitat Conservation Planning Branch Address: Name and telephone number of person to be contacted on matters Involving this application (give area code Street: Prefix: First Name: 1416 Ninth Street, 12th floor, Suite 1260 Bill City: Middle Name Sacramento County: Last Nme Sacramento Kindred g gl Suffix: Ctallfomia 814de Country: United States of America Email: bkindred @dfg.co.gov 6. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (EIN): Phone Number (give area code) Fax Number (give area code) ®®'"ffI 6 9 E0 6 7 (916) 653 -3779 (916) 653 -2588 8. TYPE OF APPLICATION: 7. TYPE OF APPLICANT: (See back of form for Application Types) V' New r Continuation V Revision A. State If Revision, enter appropriate letter(s) in box(es) See back of form for description of letters.) ❑ ❑ Other (specify) 8. NAME OF FEDERAL AGENCY: Other (specify) U.S. Department of Interior - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 111. CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE NUMBER: 11. DESCRIPTIVE TITLE OF APPLICANT'S PROJECT: 0�_© ]g Endangered Species Act Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund TITLE (Name of Program): Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation - 2012 HCPLA 2012 HCPA Bakersfield Regional HCP 12. AREAS AFFECTED BY PROJECT (Cities, Counties, States, etc.): Kern County 13. PROPOSED PROJECT 14. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS OF: Start Date. Ending Date: a. Applicant b. Project 0$l03Y29k2 kkM..P_ rr ' �� " i x1� 20,22 15. ESTIMATED FUNDING: 16. IS APPLICATION SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY STATE EXECUTIVE ORDER 12372 PROCESS a, Federal a Yes THIS PREAPPLICATION/APPLICATION WAS MADE 945,000 AVAILABLE TO THE STATE EXECUTIVE ORDER 12372 PROCESS FOR REVIEW ON DATE: b. No. rn PROGRAM IS NOT COVERED BY E. O. 12372 z OR PROGRAM HAS NOT BEEN SELECTED BY STATE FOR REVIEW b. Applicant c. State d. Local 315,000 ' e. Other f. Program Income 17. IS THE APPLICANT DELINQUENT ON ANY FEDERAL DEBT? Yes If "Yes" attach an explanation. It No g. TOTAL 1,260,000. 18. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF, ALL DATA IN THIS APPLICATIONiPREAPPLICATION ARE TRUE AND CORRECT. THE DOCUMENT HAS BEEN DULY AUTHORIZED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE APPLICANT AND THE APPLICANT WILL COMPLY WITH THE ATTACHED ASSURANCES IF THE ASSISTANCE IS AWARDED. a. Authorized Reoresentative- prefoc Bi�i t Name Name Last Name fix Kindred fiddle e elephone Number (give area code) Staff Services Manager; Section 6 Coordinator 6 653 -3779 d. Signature of Authorized Representative ate Signed Previous Edition Usable Authorized for Local Reoroduction aranaaru Furor qc+ tnnv.o -cwu5J Prescribed by OMB Circular A -102 P, K, 9q s 1' m t r U O ORIGINAL ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT SECTION 6 GRANT PROGRAM FY 2012 Habitat Conservation Planning Assistance Program Bakersfield (California) Regional Habitat Conservation Plan (BRHCP) PROJECT STATEMENT City of Bakersfield Contact: California Department of Fish and Game Contact: United States Fish and Wildlife Service Contact: NEED: Why is the project being undertaken? Pamela Elischeva Phone: (661) 326 -3778 Annee Ferranti Phone: (559) 243 -4014 Ext. 227 Email: aferranti @dfg.ca.gov Thomas Leeman Phone: (916) 414 -6600 The City of Bakersfield and County of Kern, California, are planning for a projected increase in the city's population of roughly 65% over the next 40 years (California Department of Finance, 2009). It is expected that a significant portion of this growth will have to be accommodated by development projects within the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan area, which is already challenged by water recharge efforts and conservation of prime agricultural and habitat lands. In 1994, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ( USFWS) (Federal Section 10(a)(1)(B)) and the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) (State Section 2081) granted incidental take permits for the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan area . These permits will expire in 2014. Much has changed since 1994, and the USFWS and the CDFG have stated that inclusion of "Biological Goals and Objectives," "Monitoring" of the effects of acquired habitat on species viability, and an "Adaptive Management" plan are critical components of future habitat conservation plans. These components were not envisioned or required in 1994. Therefore, funding is being sought to develop a multi- species HCP or NCCP (permitted via California Fish and Game Code Section 2835) that would supersede an expiring Metropolitan Bakersfield HCP. To distinguish between the existing Metropolitan Bakersfield HCP and the new HCP, the new plan is now called the Bakersfield Regional Habitat Conservation Plan (BRHCP), although in FY 2011 it was awarded funding under the former name Metropolitan Bakersfield HCP. The new plan will comprehensively conserve sensitive species, wildlife movement corridors and essential habitats within the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan area, while allowing for urban growth and development where appropriate. The conservation goals of the HCP will be to protect habitat and establish management guidelines for potentially 38 sensitive species and the vegetation communities upon which they depend. The proposed BRHCP area encompasses a large portion of Western Kern County, where nine habitat conservation plans have been in place since 1993, and there is ample opportunity to coordinate this current effort with conservation that has already been planned or established. There are eight existing plans outside the HCP area in Western Kern County, two of which are approximately 20,000 acres in size; three between 160 and 1,500 acres; and three of less than 100 acres. In addition, the draft Valley Floor Habitat Conservation Plan (1,990,440 acres) surrounds the potential BRHCP area, and as currently drafted, includes a provision to provide coverage for the oil production land within the Valley Floor HCP Plan area. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has estimated that 96% of the native habitats that comprised the San Joaquin valley floor have been lost, primarily to agriculture- conversion and urbanization. Currently, it is estimated that the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan area consists of 32% urban lands, 19% natural habitat, and 49% open lands (Figure 2). Open lands are lands that are defined as having been disturbed from their natural state and this includes lands converted for irrigated agriculture use; these lands still have value as habitat land for species that have adapted to existence in open lands. A mosaic of habitat types continues to exist within the urban Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan boundaries, including 1 ,AKE;q m r a v ' ^k�INAL Metropolitan Bakersfield RHCP Page 2 Riparian habitat / Valley freshwater marsh along the Kern River corridor and a contiguous band of Valley foothill grassland that remains in the eastern portion of the potential study area. Valley sacaton grassland, Valley sink scrub brush, Valley chenopod scrub brush, Valley alluvial fan saltbrush scrub, and alkali sink communities are still present in the western portion of the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan area. The USFWS awarded the BRHCP a Section 6 Planning grant in Fiscal Year 2011 for $457,000. These funds are being utilized for the first phase of the BRHCP consisting of the preliminary task of identifying the approach for the BRHCP and initial data gathering and mapping to be completed within a year's time. Included in this phase is determining the HCP study area, the covered species, the covered activities and the Stakeholders. This first phase will also assemble existing information /data on habitats and covered species and determine data gaps to be researched in future phases. Mapping of landcover and the potential for presence of covered species and the potential habitat availability and quality will also be included. Since the funding for the Section 6 grant became available on November 1, 2011, the submittal deadline of this project statement does not allow enough time for the outcome of the first phase to be included. However, the sub - contractor has been selected to work on the first phase by the Metropolitan Bakersfield agencies and it is anticipated that completion of the first phase will occur by December 31, 2012. For FY 2012, the agencies are seeking $945,000 for assessments needed for the covered species /habitats, completion of the Ecological Baseline and formulation of the BRHCP /NCCP documents. Additional goals of the proposed BRHCP will be to ensure coordination with surrounding HCPs and to evaluate the conservation effectiveness of previously acquired habitat lands within the HCP area. This coordination will form a comprehensive approach to conserve habitat and movement corridors and facilitate threatened and endangered species recovery throughout Western Kern County. The City of Bakersfield has authorized staff to pursue grant funding for this project, and is dedicating the staff time and resources necessary to ensure the new HCP progresses in coordination with Kern County and the multiple HCPs already in place. The first phase will determine the appropriateness of developing a joint State of California Natural Community Conservation Planning (NCCP) and HCP. The State of California is the only state to enact a law that closely complements the habitat conservation planning process of ESA. The Natural Community Conservation Planning (NCCP) Act encourages the development of multi- species, ecosystem -based plans that provide for the conservation and recovery of both listed and unlisted species within the plan area. The NCCP Act requires a plan to provide for the conservation of covered species, and includes independent scientific input and significant public participation. When applied together, the ESA and NCCP Act bring their complementary strengths to conservation planning to provide greater conservation benefits than either Act alone. The advantages of 17 years of experience with operating a habitat conservation plan will aid in the HCP planning process. The HCP has acquired 20,862 acres of habitat since 1994 that will complement the conservation area of the new HCP. The existing HCP has resulted in a successful partnership between the City /County and the state and federal wildlife agencies in permanently preserving the acquired lands, and these relationships will be beneficial in the creation of the new HCP. OBJECTIVE: What is to be accomplished during the period of the project pursuant to the stated need? This grant will provide the Ecological Baseline Assessment and the initiation of the HCP, and NCCP, documentation for the new BRHCP by the Metropolitan Bakersfield agencies that are within the study area (City of Bakersfield and the County of Kern). It is expected that Tasks 1 through 4 will be accomplished within a 3 year period. Task 1: Resource assessment (which may include field validation and habitat assessment, biological surveys, and corridor movement studies) for covered species identified in Phase 1 where assessments are incomplete and research is necessary to inform and validate potential mitigation strategies. O��AKF9.� s v o ORIGINAL Metropolitan Bakersfield RHCP Page 3 Task 2: Complete the detailed species and habitat - specific analysis, or Ecological Baseline Report, begun in Phase I, which will be used to inform the development of the target levels of conservation; Task 3: Verify data through additional field assessments and facilitate peer review at the Scientific Advisory Committee level and with state and federal agencies as appropriate, and revise and finalize draft Ecological Baseline Report accordingly. Task 4: Initiate the HCP and potential NCCP documentation, Federal and State Incidental Take permits and the California Environmental Impact Report and associated NEPA Environmental Impact Statements. EXPECTED RESULTS OR BENEFITS: How will the project impact fish and wildlife resources or benefit the public? The Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan comprises approximately 1,056 km2 (408 mil or 261,120 acres). The Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan provides for urban development within the potential study area that will be proposed for the new HCP. Bakersfield's current population of 360,000 is expected to increase to over 1,000,000 by 2050. The approval by state and federal agencies of a multi - species HCP for Metropolitan Bakersfield will accomplish a balance between conservation of species and habitats of concern and urban development -- by establishing baseline data, acquiring habitat, examining existing movement corridors and actively monitoring for these species. Benefits to Species The planning area of the proposed HCP will encompass natural lands that provide occupied and potential habitat for up to 38 sensitive species (Table 1) and urban lands that have special conservation value because they are being utilized by the San Joaquin kit fox and the western burrowing owl as foraging, denning, and nesting areas. These urban habitat areas may be providing relative isolation from natural predators, and may provide future opportunities to supplement genetic exchange with populations outside of the urban environments. The HCP will examine the opportunities for movement between covered species populations by identifying movement corridors. The HCP will act to mitigate (compensate) habitat impacted by expansion of urban development into natural and open (disturbed natural) lands, and minimize the take of special status species that are within the urban environment. The monitoring and adaptive management program that will be developed in the HCP will provide valuable information on the effectiveness of mitigation efforts on behalf of the special- status species, and the alternative management program will be designed to adjust the HCP to accommodate species survival and habitat preservation. Ot�eP, KF9 1 c1 U � ORIGINAL Metropolitan Bakersfield RHCP Page 4 TABLE 1 CT Potential Species Proposed for Coverage under the Bakersfield Regional HCP CSSC Species (Common and Scientific Name) Status Plants CSSC Bakersfield cactus Opuntia treleasei CE', FE, CNPS 1B Bakersfield saltbush Atriplex tularensis FSC, CE California jewelflower Caulanthus californicus CE, FE, CNPS 1B Slough thistle Cirsium crassicule FSC, CNPS 1 B Recurved larkspur Delphinium recurvatum FSC, CNPS 1 B San Joaquin woolly threads Lembertia congonii FE, CNPS 1B San Joaquin adobe sunburst Pseudobahia peirsonii FT, CE Heartscale Atriplex cordulata CNPS 1B Brittlescale Atriplex depressa CNPS 1 B Striped adobe lily Fritallaria striata CT, CNPS 1 B Subtle orache Atriplex minuscule CNPS 1B Mason's neststraw Stylocline masonii CNPS 1 B Calico monkey flower Mimulus pictus CNPS 1B Amphibians /Reptiles Blunt -nosed leopard lizard Gambelia silus Western pond turtle Clemmys marmorata Western spadefoot toad Spea (= Scaphiopus) hammondii Silvery legless lizard Anniella pulchra pulchra California coast horned lizard Phrynosoma coronatum San Joaquin whipsnake Masticophis flagellum ruddocki Birds FE, CE FSC, CSSC CSSC CSSC CSSC CSSC Swainson's hawk Buteo swainsoni CT Western burrowing owl Athene cunicularia CSSC, FSC Golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos CSSC Tricolored blackbird Agelaius tricolor CSSC California horned lark Eremophila alpestris actia CSSC Loggerhead shrike Lanius ludovicianus CSSC Northern harrier Circus cyaneus CSSC White- tailed kite Elanus leucurus CSSC Mammals San Joaquin kit fox Vulpes macrotis mutica CT, FE Tipton kangaroo rat Dipodomys n. nitratoides FE, CE Short-nosed kangaroo rat Dipodomys nitratoides brevinasus CSSC Giant kangaroo rat Dipodomys ingens FE, CE San Joaquin antelope squirrel Ammospermophilus nelsoni CT Nelson's antelope squirrel Ammospermophilus nelsoni CT Buena Vista Lake shrew Sorex omatus relictus FE, CSSC American badger Taxidea taxus CSSC San Joaquin pocket mouse Perognathus inornatus inornatus CSSC Western mastiff bat Eumops perotis californicus CSSC Pallid bat Antrozous pallidus CSSC CE — State listed endangered CT — State listed threatened FC — Federal Candidate for Listing CSSC — State species of special concern FE — Federally listed endangered FT — Federally listed threatened FSC — Federal species of concern CNPS — California Native Plant Society o`116 AKF99 T ~ r O ORIGINAL Metropolitan Bakersfield RHCP Page 5 The HCP will help implement specific conservation and recovery actions for the Bakersfield cactus, San Joaquin kit fox, Tipton kangaroo rat, giant kangaroo rat, San Joaquin antelope squirrel and blunt -nosed leopard lizard. The planning area includes a major population area for the Bakersfield cactus. It includes a unique urban population of the San Joaquin kit fox with a large number of recorded den sites within the urban area. If the Buena Vista Lake shrew is determined to be a covered species in the HCP, the study area will include area under consideration by the USFWS as potential critical habitat, the largest such considered -- 2,800 of the proposed 4,649 acres. There are overall conservation benefits to at least eight federally - listed species, including four plants and four animals, ten state - listed species (four plants and six animals) and five non - listed, special- status species (three plants and two animals). To further illustrate the ecological value of the HCP study area, more detailed information on one important habitat type and multiple species is provided below: Maior Conservation Benefit to Upland Species of the San Joaquin Valley The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Recovery Plan for Upland Species of the San Joaquin Valley, California (Recovery Plan) (1998) outlines a recovery strategy for the special- status species included in the Metropolitan Bakersfield HCP and references specific sections of the HCP planning area that are vital in terms of habitat conservation for multiple species. It categorizes Bakersfield cactus, San Joaquin kit fox, Tipton's kangaroo rat, and the Buena Vista Lake Shrew as plants and animals with critical needs for recovery, each of which will have specific conservation measures outlined within this proposed HCP. The Recovery Plan's objectives include de- listing the Bakersfield cactus, California jewelflower, San Joaquin woolly- threads, blunt -nosed leopard lizard, San Joaquin kit fox, Tipton kangaroo rat and the giant kangaroo rat; with long -term conservation described in the Recovery Plan as the objective for the short- nosed kangaroo rat, the San Joaquin antelope squirrel and the Buena Vista Lake shrew. For delisting and long -term conservation efforts, the Recovery Plan has identified the San Joaquin kit fox as an Umbrella species (broad distribution and requirement for relatively large areas of habitat mean conservation of the kit fox will provide an "umbrella" of protection for many other species that require less habitat). It has identified the giant kangaroo rat and Tipton kangaroo rat as keystone species because they confer ecosystem benefits, including being favorite prey of San Joaquin kit fox, enriching the soil with nitrogen, dispersing and planting seeds with seed caches for California jewelflower and San Joaquin woolly- thread, and creating burrows that are used by blunt -nosed leopard lizards and San Joaquin antelope squirrels. The proposed HCP will identify areas to be considered for the conservation objectives for the San Joaquin kit fox, the giant kangaroo rat and the Tipton kangaroo rat, which in turn will benefit other upland special- status species. Maior Conservation Benefit to Bakersfield Cactus (BC The current distribution of the BC is within the study area boundaries, adjacent to the east of the study area and at the base of the Tehachapi Mountains, south of the study area. The Recovery Plan for Upland Species of the San Joaquin Valley, California (Recovery Plan) states that the recovery goal for BC is best achieved by habitat preservation of existing populations, and by transplantation of threatened populations as a less desirable, but necessary, secondary recovery goal. Within the study area, 208 acres of habitat have been purchased for BC preservation by the existing Metropolitan Bakersfield Habitat Conservation Plan Implementation Trust Group. While transplanting of BC to the Bakersfield Cactus Preserve has occurred, there has been no monitoring to determine survival and reproduction rates. The proposed HCP will include monitoring of known populations of BC to assess health and reproduction status, and assess the success of transplantation efforts. Maior Conservation Benefit to SanJoaauin Kit Fox (SJKF The SJKF occurs in two different habitats within the study area, isolated natural upland areas on the east and west side of the study area, and in the urban area where significant numbers of dens have been mapped by the Endangered Species Recovery Program (ESRP) and the Metropolitan Bakersfield Habitat Conservation Plan Implementation Trust Group. (818 have been reported in the study area since 1994. Not all den sites have been surveyed.) It is estimated by the ESRP that 200 — 400 SJKF reside in the ��PKF m F-- r U Q ORIGINAL Metropolitan Bakersfield RHCP Page 6 urban environment and that this urban population provides unique opportunities to help conserve and recover the species in the larger natural lands landscape. Corridors of movement and the potential for genetic interchange exist between the two habitat types along existing easements and open space within the Metropolitan Bakersfield study area. The HCP proposes to include identification of corridor routes and consultation with parties in control of the routes during the HCP planning and implementation process. Non -urban populations of SJKF will benefit from the efforts to acquire habitat and expand existing preserve areas surrounding the study area into larger, contiguous blocks of habitat for the SJKF. Over 18,466 acres of habitat have been preserved during implementation of the existing Metropolitan Bakersfield HCP in place since 1994 and additional habitat will be preserved with the new HCP. Additionally, the HCP will identify new opportunities for habitat preservation within the study area. Monitoring habitat and SJKF populations in the new HCP will provide valuable information on the success of conservation efforts. Urban populations will have a benefit from a continued den mapping effort, and it is expected that the new HCP will include public education and outreach efforts to foster co- existence and improve take avoidance of SJKF within the urban environment. In addition, the kit fox recovery strategy, as outlined in the Recovery Plan for Upland Species, is dependent on protection and management of three geographically distinct core populations and several satellite populations in the remaining fragmented landscapes, including the urban Bakersfield population discussed above. One of the core areas is located in western Kern County and is within and adjacent to the study area of the Metropolitan Bakersfield HCP. This core population is also adjacent to the San Luis Obispo County border and the Carrizo Plain National Monument, located in the southeastern portion of San Luis Obispo County. This is significant because it provides a unique opportunity through numerous HCPs and across county and municipal boundaries to conserve and maintain vital linkage corridors between two of the largest San Joaquin kit fox populations within its range. The recovery plan for the kit fox concluded that the Carrizo Plain population is not viable by itself and identified the importance of maintaining a linkage between this core population and other core populations, such as western Kern County population, as well as the satellite populations. Large blocks of isolated natural land need to be protected to decrease the negative effects from habitat loss and fragmentation. Recovery of this species cannot be achieved without maintaining the connections between the essential core and satellite populations. To enhance these connections, conserved lands can be secured through acquisition of title or conservation easements, or a combination of both. The Metropolitan Bakersfield HCP will help recover this species by developing mechanisms to implement a conservation strategy, with the intent of maintaining populations as well as essential movement corridors for the kit fox. Major Conservation Benefit to Other Species in San Joaquin Kit Fox (SJKF) Range The Recovery Plan also identified that the recovery actions for the San Joaquin kit fox are critical for recovery of many other species in the San Joaquin Valley. Because of the kit fox's occurrence within the same natural communities as many other species included in the recovery plan, and its requirement for large habitat areas, conservation for the kit fox will provide an umbrella of protection for many of the other species that require less habitat such as the blunt -nosed leopard lizard, San Joaquin antelope squirrel, Nelson's antelope squirrel, giant kangaroo rat, and Tipton kangaroo rat. The strategy for these species includes protecting additional habitat within the key portions of their ranges. The Recovery Plan strategy for the blunt -nosed leopard lizard includes protecting habitat within the key portions of its range (USFWS, 1998) including the natural lands in and around Lokern, Elk Hills, and in the Semitropic Ridge area, all of which are located in western Kern County and overlap with the proposed HCP study and planning area. In addition, the Recovery Plan stresses the importance of conserving the natural lands in north western Kern County and in the McKittrick Valley in southwestern Kern County to protect a corridor of continuous habitat for movement and connectivity for species without the ability to move through irrigated farmland, such as the blunt -nosed leopard lizard. For the Tipton kangaroo rat, the Recovery Plan emphasizes the importance of conserving large contiguous blocks of natural or restored habitat to maintain viable populations. This species is unique to the area encompassed by the historical Tulare lake bed, and has had its distribution reduced to pockets of remaining habitat in southern Tulare and Kings Counties and in natural lands remaining in Kern o�c�AKF9 s� � r U O ORIGINAL Metropolitan Bakersfield RHCP Page 7 County. Tipton kangaroo rat populations periodically spike to high levels and decline rapidly, often going extinct locally. Long term drought, excessive amounts of precipitation, flooding, and habitat fragmentation leave this species even more vulnerable to continued decline. When large expanses of connected habitat exist, there is a greater probability some surviving populations will irrupt and individuals will recolonize areas where they have been eliminated. In particular, the recovery strategy notes conservation efforts need to be concentrated in the Semitropic Ridge area, the Kern River alluvial fan area including Coles's levee, and the northern and western portion of Kern County. These areas are key in terms of recovery for this species and the HCP conservation strategy would target the recovery planning area to maintain known viable populations and examine strategies to prevent additional threats from emerging over time. Two federally - listed plant species are also found in the plan area. The Recovery Plan identifies recovery strategies for the San Joaquin woolly- threads and California iewel flower that includes conservation of areas within the HCP planning area. In addition, the recovery plan identifies recovery strategies for plant and animal species that have no federal status but have state or CNPS sensitivity designations and are found within the plan area. These species include Munz's tidy tips, San Joaquin antelope squirrel, short- nosed kangaroo rat, and Tulare grasshopper mouse. The Recovery Plan also designates western Kern County as one of the two largest and most important habitat areas for the San Joaquin antelope squirrel, with the second habitat area located in the Carizzo Plain. As has been discussed earlier with regard to the San Joaquin kit fox, this is significant in terms of linkage and movement corridors for this species as the two areas overlap and cross multiple HCP boundaries. Without a comprehensive approach toward conservation of habitat for this species, the Carizzo Plain population may not be viable. Major Conservation Benefit to Buena Vista Lake Ornate Shrew (BVLS) The Buena Vista Lake ornate shrew formerly occurred in wetlands around the Buena Vista Lake in western Kern County, and presumably throughout the Tulare Lake Basin. As the lakes and sloughs in the Basin have been drained and cultivated, the loss of valley freshwater marsh and riparian habitat has contributed to the decline and disappearance of this species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Recovery Plan for Upland Species of the San Joaquin Valley, California (Recovery Plan) (1998) includes the BVLS and provides a goal of long -term conservation for the BVLS and its wetland and riparian habitat. The wetland and riparian areas of the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan area are located along the Kern River. The City of Bakersfield Water Recharge Facility is a 2,800 acre natural vegetation portion of the Kern River that is being evaluated by the USFWS for critical habitat designation for the BVLS. The existing Metropolitan Bakersfield HCP excludes the Kern River channel within the primary flood plain. However, this exclusion will be reconsidered for the new HCP because of the identification of the potential critical habitat for the BVLS. In addition, corridors of movement and the potential for genetic interchange will be examined for the areas within and adjacent to the Metropolitan Bakersfield study area. Ecosystem Benefits The planning area for the BRHCP is approximately 208,000 acres. Portions of the plan area will experience a substantial increase in development of habitat lands to accommodate the increase in California's population growth, potentially impacting natural resources; however, because of the relatively undeveloped nature of the plan area, a large -scale conservation effort can be accomplished before the area is fragmented by development. Contiguous habitat will confer many ecosystem benefits, including the support of all the naturally occurring biotic and abiotic components and ecological processes necessary for the covered species. Climate Change Adaptation As stated previously, the first phase of this project will determine the appropriateness of developing a joint State of California Natural Community Conservation Planning (NCCP) and HCP. NCCPs, especially, are designed to facilitate the adaption of wildlife to climate change. These plans build ecological resilience by creating landscape -scale interconnected reserve networks that are based on the major tenets of conservation biology, including representativeness, multiplicity, and redundancy of large habitat blocks and natural communities. NCCP reserve networks typically occupy hundreds of thousands of acres o``g,N r U O ORIGINAL Metropolitan Bakersfield RHCP Page 8 across the entire range of environmental gradients in a planning area, and because of this and their high level of connectivity, NCCP reserve systems readily provide for the natural movements of individual organisms, and species and habitat distributional shifts, in response to climate change. In addition, where possible, NCCP reserves and linkages also provide interconnections to large blocks of federal and other publicly -owned lands (US Forest Service, US National Park Service, US Bureau of Land Management, military, state and county parks) to help ensure that species and habitats on public lands have access to the broadest range of ecological gradients over which to adapt. NCCPs also require protection and restoration of key ecological processes which are essential to maintaining sustainable landscapes and populations. NCCPs acknowledge a high degree of scientific uncertainty and use conceptual predictive models to identify and resolve critical uncertainties, including effects of climate change, in an adaptive management framework that is regularly evaluated through regional effectiveness monitoring. The USFWS and California Department of Fish and Game are significantly building their collaborative and scientific capacity for mediating effects of climate change through NCCPs. Public Benefits The HCP will benefit the public by providing a predictable and informed approach for addressing compliance with state and federal Endangered Species laws, a mitigation program for urban development within the plan boundaries, and open space benefits. Development of a coordinated regional Metropolitan Bakersfield HCP will afford a conservation strategy for covered species to address recovery needs, as well as expedite the permit process and provide for cost and mitigation assurances. In addition, the HCP would enable private landowners to participate instead of preparing individual HCPs or state permit applications for their development projects, and in a much shorter time frame and at a lower cost than is required for individual permits. The benefits of the HCP would extend to covered County and City Public Works and General Services projects, benefiting the County and City by expediting the permit process. By obviating the need for individual permits, the community -wide HCP and permit will have the added benefit of freeing up time and resources for all of the regulatory agencies. APPROACH: For the second phase, Metropolitan Bakersfield agencies (City of Bakersfield and the County of Kern) will develop the elements needed for the HCP and Federal and State Incidental Take permits and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Environmental Impact Report and associated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Impact Statements. The grant will fund the successive tasks that must be completed to implement and advance the completion of the HCP. Specifically, the BRHCP will conduct resource and habitat assessments so that the Ecological Baseline Report can be developed and utilized for all species identified in the first phase. It is anticipated that the funding of the first task will be for wildlife biologists and ecologists to investigate special status species, their habitats and potential mitigation strategies that were not included in the first HCP, or fill research gaps in current knowledge. A scientific advisory committee will be convened to provide feedback on the assessments, review the draft Ecological Baseline Report, assist with developing appropriate species specific mitigation measures, and suggest if future assessments are needed. The Metropolitan Bakersfield agencies will rely on the assistance of the state and federal wildlife agencies, other federal agencies (U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Kern National Wildlife Refuge), scientific advisors (Endangered Species Recovery Program, Cal State University, Bakersfield), Western Kern County HCP programs (Kern Water Bank, Champagne Shores, Chevron Pipeline, EnviroCycle, Inc., Kern County Waste Facility, Lamont Public Utility District, Nuevo Torch, and Seneca and Enron Oil and Natural Gas) and subcontractors. Further, the stakeholders identified in the first phase may include, but not be limited to, the agencies and advisors above as well as: • Community Development agencies • Land Developers /Homebuilders • Interested Landowners • California Native Plant Society • Audubon Society • Nature Conservancy o��AKF9.� s U O ORIGINAL Metropolitan Bakersfield RHCP Page 9 • Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program • Oil and Gas Production In addition, the Metropolitan Bakersfield agencies and their consultants will confer with the following agencies for coordination on covered activities as well as information and planning for existing San Joaquin kit fox corridors and den areas within Metropolitan Bakersfield HCP area: • Local Water Agencies • Local Canal Districts • Local School Districts • Pacific Gas and Electric and Southern California Edison electrical distribution divisions (power line easements) • Southern Pacific Railroad It is important to note that the adjacent Kern County Valley Floor HCP has been drafted and is slated to begin its final environmental review process within the next year. The Kern County Valley Floor HCP is intended to provide a long term program designed to conserve sensitive species while establishing the conditions under which Kern County; the California Department of Conservation, Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources; and several water districts will seek authorization to develop and operate their industries and public infrastructure. In comparison, while the BRHCP seeks to conserve the same sensitive species, it is in the opening stages of development and will be primarily focused on mitigating the impacts of urban development within a narrower sphere of influence. As such while the boundaries of the two RCP's will be adjacent, the timing for completion and the activities covered are not synchronous. Therefore, conferring with the agencies above will ensure that the developing BRHCP works to complement the nearly complete Kern County Valley Floor HCP and that the conservation goals of both HCPs are advanced through a collaborative approach. In addition, Public Outreach, which began in the first phase with identifying of stakeholders and covered activities, will continue with informing the public about the new BRHCP progress. It is anticipated that, besides public meetings to provide opportunities for information sharing and feedback, there will also be a website that provides current information to the public. LOCATION Bakersfield is located in Kern County, which is in the southern -most portion of California's San Joaquin Valley. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the County has a total area of 5,210,214 acres, with the California Coast Range delineating the county's western boundary, the crest of the Sierra Nevada defining the northeastern boundary, and the Tehachapi Range forming the southwestern boundary. Major water courses within the County are the Kern River, Poso Creek, Friant Kern Canal, and the California Aqueduct. The western slopes of the Sierra Nevada are the source of the headwaters for the Kern River which flows through the Metropolitan Bakersfield area (Figure 1). Historically, the Kern River perennially flooded the San Joaquin Valley floor and formed large, temporary, shallow inland lakes. Since 1954, the flooding has been controlled by the creation of Lake Isabella in the Sierra, and the controlled waters of the Kern River have predominantly been used for agriculture. The historic lake bottoms are now used for irrigated agriculture production and the Metropolitan Bakersfield HCP area is located within the valley floor area where flooding previously occurred. ESTIMATED COST: The total estimated cost for the project is $1,260,000, with $945,000 of federal funds requested and $315,000 provided as a match from the City of Bakersfield, the County of Kern, and stakeholders (Table 2). o�,;6AKF9.� s ~ r U O ORIGINAL r , �* KERN COUNTY Metropolitan Bakersfield RHCP Page 10 Figure 1 CALIFORNIA o��AKF9.� s �- m F_ r v o ORIGINAL Table 2. 2012 Non - traditional Section 6 Budget Worksheet Project Title: Bakersfield Regional Habitat Conservation Plan Section 6 Program: HCP Planning Assistance Task 1 Resource assessment which may include conducting field validation and habitat assessment, biological surveys, and corridor movement studies for covered species identified in Phase I and where assessment is incomplete. Task 2 Complete the detailed species and habitat - specific analysis, or Ecological Baseline Report, begun in Phase I, which will be used to inform the development of the target levels of conservation Task Subtotals DFG Overhead (35 %) TOTAL COSTS = Federal Non - federal Amount Match $200,000 $25,000 $50,000 $21,000 $40,000 $34,000 $410,000 $235,000 $315,000 Minimum non - Fed match Your match % (26 %) for this from the total would subtotal be: above Is: $31 Total Project Costs $225,000 $71,000 $74,000 $645,000 3. Total Cost of Project is Total Project Costs plus $1,260,000 DFG overhead Your match % from the 4. Match %:'Divide subtotal non -fed match total above is: by total project 'cost Adjust values in task boxes above to change your match percents e. MMAR Federal $ Match % Non - Federal Requested (min. 26 %) Match $ TOTAL PROJECT COST $945,000 25% $315,000 $1,260,000 o��AKF,9 ~' r v o ORIGINAL In Reply Refer To: FWS/R8/WSFR EXHIBIT "B" United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Pacific Southwest Region Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration Program 2800 Cottage Way, W -1729 Sacramento, California 95825 Bill Kindred California Department of Fish and Game Habitat Conservation Planning Branch 1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1260 Sacramento, California 95814 Subject: Notice of Federal Assistance Award for F12AP01231 Dear Mr. Kindred: eo .LI resse& WILDLIV! ISRRV ICE December 6, 2012 The enclosed Application for Federal Assistance, 1`12AP01231, Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund, 2012 HCPA - Bakersfield Regional HCP, is approved effective November 1, 2012, with a total Federal share in the amount of $945,000. The performance period of this award is November 1, 2012, through October 31, 2015. ASAP Accounting Information: Use the following information to identify your award funds at: www.asap.gov. F12AP01231- 0001 -0060 HCP Planning Grants $945,000 Terms of Acceptance: Per http://www.doi.gov/pam/programs/financial assistance /TermsandConditions.cfm, acceptance of a Federal Financial award from the Department of the Interior (DOI) carries with it the responsibility to be aware of and comply with the terms and conditions of the award. Acceptance is defined as the start of work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means. Awards are based on the application submitted to, and as approved by DOI and are subject to the terms and conditions incorporated either directly or by reference to the following: • Program legislation\regulation. • Special terms and conditions. • Code of Federal Regulations/Regulatory Requirements, as applicable 2 CFR 25 — Central Contractor Registration and Data Universal Numbering System 2 CFR 170 — Reporting Sub - awards and Executive Compensation 2 CFR 1400 — Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Non- procurement) s O��AKF9." F_- r U � ORIGINAL 2 2 CFR 175 — Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 43 CFR 12(A) Administrative and Audit Requirements and Cost Principles for Assistance Programs 43 CFR 12(E) Buy American Requirements for Assistance Programs 43 CFR 12(C) Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments 43 CFR 12(F) Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, other Non - Profit and Commercial Organizations 43 CFR 43 Governmentwide Requirements for a Drug -Free Workplace 43 CFR 42 Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) 43 CFR 18 New Restrictions on Lobbying 305 DM 3 Integrity of Scientific and Scholarly Activities Interim Guidance for Financial Status and Performance Reporting, dated May 12, 2009 Special Provisions and Conditions: - Cost accounting is required at Grant level - Annual Federal Financial Reports (SF425) and Performance Reports will be due beginning March 31, 2014, and on that date every year until the completion of the grant. Final Reports will be due 90 days from the ending date of the grant (Due: January 29, 2016). For further information regarding reporting requirements and sanctions please see the reporting guidance issued May 12, 2009 in the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Toolkit located at: http: / /wsfrprograms.fws.gov /subpages /toolkitfiles /intgdrpt.pdf - This grant may not be extended beyond October 31, 2015 without written permission from the USFWS Director. - No indirect costs may be applied or reimbursed relating to pass - through funds pending resolution of pass- through /indirect rate issue. -If any surveys are conducted which may affect listed or candidate species, the biologists conducting the surveys must have the proper authorizations and /or permits before conducting those surveys. Additionally, surveys must follow the protocols deemed most appropriate by the US Fish and Wildlife Service Field Office with jurisdiction over those species. Please contact me or Becky Miller at (916) 978 -6185 if you have any questions. Sincerely, 0& 4# for Susan K. Detwiler, Chief Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration Program o�`0AK�9s � r V O ORIGINAL