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Consent-General Government # 11.
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| Board of Supervisors |
County Administrator |
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| Subject |
| Approve letter of support for Yolo Habitat Conservancy acquisition of an 826-acre Swainson's hawk foraging habitat conservation easement on the Elliott Ranch, located south of West Sacramento. (No general fund impact) (Blacklock/Sabatini) |
| Recommended Action |
| Approve letter of support for Yolo Habitat Conservancy acquisition of an 826-acre Swainson's hawk foraging habitat conservation easement on the Elliott Ranch, located south of West Sacramento. (Attachment B) |
| Strategic Plan Goal(s) |
Sustainable Environment
Flourishing Agriculture |
| Reason for Recommended Action/Background |
Background
The Yolo Habitat Conservancy is requesting support from the Yolo County Board of Supervisors for acquisition of an 826-acre habitat conservation easement on the Elliott Ranch south of West Sacramento. The Yolo Habitat Conservancy Board of Directors has already approved the Elliott Ranch for inclusion in the Yolo Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan (Yolo HCP/NCCP) reserve system, as has the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
In March 2016 this Board adopted a resolution in support of a grant application from the Yolo Habitat Conservancy to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy requesting $350,000 for habitat restoration activities at Elliot Ranch that would benefit the Swainson's Hawk. That application was awarded funding and restoration should begin in 2017.
The Elliott Ranch, which consists of a total of 1,800 acres, between the Sacramento River and Babel Slough, is owned by Mrs. Linda Elliott. A map is provided as Attachment A to this staff report. Most of the land is zoned Agricultural Preserve and has a current Williamson Act Contract on it. There are also levee and channel easements on the property. An Agricultural Conservation Open Space Easement that Mrs. Elliott donated to the Yolo Land Trust 10 years ago encumbers a portion of the property, but this easement does not prevent conversion to orchards and vineyards or include provisions to manage the property for the species covered by the Yolo HCP/NCCP.
Brief Project Description
The Yolo Habitat Conservancy is partnering with Mrs. Elliott to apply to the Delta Conservancy’s Ecosystem and Restoration and Water Quality Grant Program grant to encumber 826.5 acres of the Elliott Ranch property with additional restrictions that will benefit the Swainson’s hawk and other species covered by the Yolo HCP/NCCP, ensuring this portion of the ranch remains in row crops in perpetuity. The total project cost is estimated at $4 million, of which the Yolo Habitat Conservancy will request $3 million from the Delta Conservancy. Mrs. Elliott or other outside donors will contribute $1 million as matching funds.
Description of Habitat Values
Over one mile of Babel Slough extends across the southeastern portion of the ranch, supporting a dense and structurally diverse valley oak-dominated riparian corridor. Babel Slough is one of the most significant natural and wildlife resource areas in this portion of the county. A manmade channel extends off of Babel Slough and forms the southern boundary of the ranch to the Sacramento Deep Water Ship Cannel. This area also supports mature riparian woodland, open water habitats, and other natural features.
The Yolo Habitat Conservancy’s Science and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) surveyed the land in 2015 as a prospective conservation easement property. This survey showed there are 10 records of Swainson’s hawk nests on the property and 57 nesting records within 5 miles of the property. Elderberry shrubs were identified during the survey along Babel Slough, white tailed kite was observed foraging on the site, and western pond turtles were observed in ponds within and adjacent to Babel Slough. The property also supports habitat for burrowing owls, foraging habitat for tricolored blackbird, and possibly for giant garter snake. The Elliott Ranch is a valuable wildlife resource in Yolo County.
Description of Impact on Agriculture
The Elliott Ranch consists of approximately 25 individual fields rotated in hay and annually rotated irrigated crops. There are no perennial crops such as orchards, vineyards, or rice. Restricting the development of orchards and vineyards on the property will keep the field open and available for row and field crop production.
Staff has coordinated with the County Agricultural Commissioner on this easement acquisition. The Agricultural Commissioner has indicated that the Ag Department is primarily concerned with potential easements and/or projects that would remove productive farm lands from agriculture entirely. This proposed easement would restrict the property from being planted in permanent crops, such as orchards or vines, to ensure that habitat for Swainson's Hawk is protected from development or conversion. The proposed easement would not prohibit agriculture on the property. As such, the Agricultural Commissioner is not opposed to the proposed easement. |
| Collaborations (including Board advisory groups and external partner agencies) |
| The Yolo Habitat Conservancy has collaborated with landowners, non-profits, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy, the Yolo Land Trust, and County staff, including the Agricultural Commissioner, in pursuit of this easement acquisition. |
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| Fiscal Impact |
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| Source of Funds for this Expenditure |
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