Solutions

Environmental regulations in California serve to minimize the environmental impacts of land modification activities, including those with intended environmental benefits. Yet the current constellation of permit requirements and their implementation have had the unintended consequence of hindering environmental restoration projects that offer benefits to private landowners, the public, and environmental health.

Permitting Restoration: Helping Agricultural Land Stewards Succeed in Meeting California Regulatory Requirements for Environmental Restoration Projects draws on the broad experience of several agricultural associations, technical assistance agencies, conservation organizations, and regulatory partners to assess the difficulties involved in permitting voluntary environmental restoration projects. The paper identifies challenges and actions that CRAE members believe are important elements in minimizing conflicts and better coordinating environmental permits, including:

• Timing and cost
• Intra- and inter- agency coordination
• Staffing and resources
• Environmental enhancement
• Consistency
• Permitting processes
• New task forces and training programs
• High-level reviews

  To illustrate the challenges faced by proponents of environmental restoration projects, as well as efforts that have been successful in minimizing these barriers, Ag Innovations compiled a short series of case studies. The case studies include examples of effective collaboration among agencies and other stakeholders, highlighting positive models that have minimized one or more of the barriers addressed in this paper.

1. Apanolio Creek Fish Passage Project, Central Coast of California describes an effort to restore steelhead trout passage in Apanolio Creek by removing three stream barriers, while maintaining agricultural water supply and access to both sides of the creek. This case study outlines the barriers encountered during the permitting process, including reduced project scope, reduced conservation value, and substantial costs for the participating regulatory agencies.
2. The goal of Frenchmans Creek Fish Passage Improvement Project, Central Coast of California was to restore steelhead passage by replacing a culvert with a clear-span bridge and boulder weir step pools. The project also aimed to restore a more natural hydrologic regime, protect existing species and habitat, and improve in-stream and riparian habitat. The case study describes the high cost of such restoration efforts due to the plethora of agencies and permits involved, as well as a lack of inter- and intra-agency coordination.
3. The Santa Cruz Partners in Restoration Permit Coordination Program was the first of many county-wide Partners in Restoration (PIR) initiatives. Despite the obstacles encountered, the Santa Cruz Countywide Permit Coordination Program resulted in habitat benefits, as well as a substantial reduction in permitting fees and time to achieve project goals.
4. Enhanced Stock Pond Restoration through the Alameda County Permit Coordination Programhighlights the Alameda County Conservation Partnership’s success in streamlining the permitting process for ranchers, which has resulted in increased preservation of at-risk species habitat.