PLACERVILLE . INFO

C.    Mitigation Option A

Retention: Under Option A, existing oak woodland canopy cover shall be retained per the following standards:

Table V-I: Canopy Cover

  The development shall be designed to minimize the impacts to overall oak woodland values. Only retained contiguous oak woodland shall count in the retention. Within the constraints of the project, the retained oak woodland should:

•        Maximize retention of contiguous areas of oak woodland;

•       Avoid or minimize fragmentation;

•       Provide the greatest mix of size classes of oak trees, including seedlings and saplings for regeneration and large trees, which provide high wildlife value;

•       Retain trees that have cavity nests or granaries; and,

•       Retain large snags except where a snag presents a hazard.

Replacement. In addition to retention, Option A requires that removed oak woodland be replaced at a 1:1 ratio. The 1:1 replacement ratio is based on acreage of oak woodland. For example, removal of two acres of oak woodland requires replacement of two acres of oak woodland; removal of 5,000 square feet of oak woodland requires replacement of 5,000 square feet of oak woodland.

Replacement objectives may he achieved, given County approval, by: 1) planting oak woodland on-site at a 1:1 land area ratio, 2) contributing to the County’s oak woodland conservation fund in Option B at a 2:1 ratio, or 3) acquiring an off-site conservation on oak woodlands of equal or greater biological value to that removed. Subject to County approval, a combination of these three options may be used.

On-site mitigation

Replacement plantings may be accepted if adequate openings exist on-site and the replanting area likely would support oak woodland (e.g., soil type and general environment). The intent is not to remove existing natural habitats for plantings or to create a continuous canopy that would reduce wildlife value or contribute to increased fire hazard. Replacement plantings shall meet the County’s replanting and replacement standards and is subject to County approval.

A recorded covenant (e.g., conservation easement or notice of restriction) shall be recorded on each property by the County, project applicant, or landowner for all County-approved mitigation. Refer to Section IX, Monitoring and Reporting, for more information on the recorded covenant.