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HomeMy WebLinkAbout84-6 DEER HERD COMMITTEE 18 OF 33Two Kinds of Habitat Problems. There are two basically different kinds of problems with habitat, both of which cause deer to be in poor condition First, there may be good habitat:, but too many deer, The competitionis great;, and most deer get insufficient food, cannot find cover that is not already used, and are weakened and subjected to predation and disease. The second kind of problem is with habitat that is just plain poor, regardless of how many ;deer are there. These places produce poor deer even with low populations. Culilpetition still uper•ates, gird luiver°ing the population even Mure will ,,sips but not as much as With habitat that is better* Both kinds of problems result in poor fawn crops and low recruitment into the herd, The first kind can be resolved entirely by reducing the deer population. The second kind requires herd reduction first, and habitat improvement afterward. (If habitat improvement comes first, the hungry over population of deer will destroy the improvements, p,oveme nts, as many timberland owners o grid alfalfa growers know. Deer, habitat management is a field in which you "can have your cake and eat it 'too". Deer cannot be stockpiled. After the herd builds up to the capacity of its habitat', full utilization of the annual herd increment promotes full production and healthy deer. It has been pointed out that Waste of surplus game animals by undercroppino after the animals are at the capacity of their habitat "is no more conservation than 'saving' applies by leaving them on the trees", Since uncontrolled deer numbers invariably reflect on health of the deer and health of the deer range, it follows that the best kind of habitat il►anagement also requires management of the animals: It is futile and generally a waste of dollarz to try to improve deer habitats finless the animals are also managed to make the most of the Improvements= DM HABITAT IMPRO MENTS While there are numerous ways in which natural deer habitats can be improved, the most effective means is through manipulation of vegetative types: The three types in which greatest improvement, can be made are the 01amise, the mixed brush and the forest. Ordinarily, the forest types are of h',gh economic value for the production of wood products and here habitat improvement for deer is usually by the indirect approach of coordination with. timber management activity, Improvement of Timbered deer Habitat,. Most people associate deer With undisturbed forosts Actually, they do much better on timbered lands that have been partially cleared and settled by pian. linlogged virgin forests with closed canopies produce" only small quantities of usable deer forage. Also, due to shading, the plants that do grow here are low in ,protein, Because of this low quantity and quality of food in mature forest types., deer numbers are also low' When the forest is burned or logged, low growing vegetation responds quickly in both amount and quality, Because cif the deer's need.for heavy cover, only' the edges of large open areas are used for feeding. Therefore, in correlation of timbor management and deer habitat management, the most prodootive results from a deer forage standpoints are obtained from a timber harvest system 'that results in a large number of well scatteredy small, clear cut, blocks or patches4 t=oNtunately, tee interests of silviculture also often call for rather narrow openings, so that natural seed fall from the uncut trees on the edges Will be adequate. In Douglas -fir, for example; strips not over 600 feet wide are recommended. The timber cutting cycle may vary from. 60 to 100 years. If the clew- cut areas will be productive of deer food for about 15 years, the cutting rotation should include from 4 to 6 cuttings, depending or, the length of the cutting cycle. 4 Manaems ent of Brushlands Habitat. In California, it has been estimated that there are over 7 million acres of brushlands dominated by chamise (Adenostema fasciculatumj. Other brush types occupy additional millions of nacres. T e greatest pp direct habitat improvement for deer lies within these neatest o ortunity for dense brush types. Dense stands of old growth brush produce only a fraction of the deer forage nat is produced by young stands or stands that are opened upi Opening dense brush types provides a more desirable interspersion of food and cover. Where good management is applied, these treated brushlands will remain productive over a long period of time with a minimum of further disturbance. Thinning out the old growth can also be done in a way that will improve the chances for wildfire pcontrols, p p q doves, prevention and improve Watersheds, and improve habitat for quail and rabbits, In a study conducted by the University of California a number of years ago in Lake County, it was found that the number of deer in heavy, closed brush types averaged 10-00 per square mile; in wildfire burns 5 to 160; and in opened brush 40 to 110. Fawn production also 'increased with brush treatment. It was found that there were 60 to 80 fawns per 100 adult does in heavy brush areas, 100 to 110 fawns per 100 adult does on the wildfire burns and about 115 to 140 fawns per 100 adult does in opened brush. These higher populations andhigher fawn production rates were attributed to better nutrition on the burned or opened brush ranges. More herbaceous forage is available and the deer diet consists largely of herbs in the late winter and early spring. The authors of this study concluded that "in the opened 'brush; the deer have available an. excellent diet during four months of the year, foraging on abundant herbs and new sprouts (Feb -May), a good diet for another four months (Nov, Dec, den, and June) when some green herbs are available and sprouts are still growing in the spring and early summer, and a poor diet during the remaining four months (July` October) when the herbs Aire dry and the browse plants more or less dormant. In the heavy brush, the deer have access to an excellent diet only two months of the year (April, May) when the brush is growing rapidly, a good diet for two months (March and June) when there is some shrub growth, and a poor diet for eight months-• 0 Methods foroIm covin Brushland Habitat. Several practical methods have been develop p 'ense brushf game habitat improvement. These include burning, mechanical treatment, and application of chemicals. These methods are :used singly or in combination depending on the objectives$ risks ihvolved, brush i cover conditions and topographical or other features of each area, burnin Guidelines have been developed for safe use of Fire in opening up dense brushlands, Shrubs that sprout after fire; notably chamis8 and many oaks, can provide nutritious and palatable forage for deer during the summer following a spring burn, 'However, spring fires tend to destroy non -sprouting shrubs, many cfor those s ecies„ g rns are of whih are highly desirable for deer fora e. Fall or early winter bu better p chemical and Mechanical. Brush Treatment, Chemical and mechanical treatment have tome advantages, but they, also leave large amounts of woody rosidu,e, creating high wildfire hazard, Chemical treat�c,nt t burning or mechanical treatment to maintain the L, =� is after used to foilo�v but p xpensive, control or typeand brush species com osition; The bulldozer conversion Mechanical treatment �s a ,the use of allows good control f p blade is usually held slightly above ground in bulldozer control. chain be two bulldozers, and related methods is less selective, a heavy h , less expensive, and represents a compromise sol Brush Control I byGrazirta " plants Goats may be useful in creating Normally)cobubrning ush amechanical, orchemical nd herbacoo . us where dense brush formerly existed the treatment is first necessary to eStThere`lare many 1pract calrproblems involved goats may be used to maintain it. Th with using g and assistance should be sought from -o erative Exters�an or from landowners who have used the method before oats for maintenance, Co p done$ it can be compatible with beginning a' project of this nature, Properly deer range improvement. some es Deer Habita t Improvement throw hCoorczinat!r�ith-ivestok lJs�..: On either deer, ivestnc use are n corf i ct, I a rats o1= ng by ; deer use an permitted in excess of range capacit„yi competition for. or livestock or both is . forage: may becomeacute., p When deer damage occurs on pr�v to 1ardtottaketremedate gialcactio onsible for management of the animals has an obligation ion. Several Upon on agreement between the landowner and the state.... avenues are open depending p `tion ee the land involved. be :solved by reduction of the deer herd, control of The problem can usually available for is the most practical for the damage, or acquisition deer movements, payment Remo'�al of deer to numbers in balance dans that domestic livestock do not use solution. Since deer often use many p o competition is not direct. sand al SOI use many areas Where livestock will not g p to Some deer, and often quite sizeable po ulations, can inhabit PrI Vtockmenddn without serious conflict with livestoc use- Furthermore, hot object to reasonable numbers of deer on their lands. n of the on public lands, the public Liasis rigrhpubliCt toe`landsaordinarllyeprovide for range for Wildlife. Manageitrent plan dual use by deer and livestock: On such lands habitat can after be improve for deer by some of the following measures. 1, exclusion of livestock use from critica.i "key'" areas, 2, Stocking o`� livestock ranges on the basis of�usegs pofdshrubs;uttioll only. 3. adjustment in l livestock of livestock use to 'educeave matured and cured, Ordinarily, livestock use most species of browse mainly after grasses are fully utilized or after grasses h n adequate browse food and cover for deer When revegetating 4, Leavy g livestock ranges palatable shrubs and legumes in revegetation seed mixtures Sw Including . I -,- Large scale deer habitat from an improvedu�ce greater �mdimore er olasting yben fits. economic standpoint and will also prod greater 1 crops of deer` when accompanied by full utlliat�on of annus Lack of Vegetation Kana ems• Another vegetation management method is no action. Lack,of actio may be the most important factor in Californin causing declining deer habitat. Without purposeful management through loggiigg, grazing, burning, or other similar methods, browse grows above the deer's heads and canopies become dense, crowding out understory vegetation. The nutritious grasses and broad -leafed plants are lost, and deer cannot reach browse. Their Energy and nutrition sources disappear, and fawn production declines. Then we, have the second kind of habitat problem, and herd reduction Will help only marginally. The carrying capacity has been reduced, but even more, each deer must spend more energy obtaining food, and there is less left for reproduction. Evaluating the Food Resource. How can We tell' the condition of the food resource? We can measure the 'pro tion, in pounds per acre, of preferred broad -leafed herbs u When they are growing. These are such plants` as filaree, clover, deer vetch, soft chess, and red brome. When there are too few deer, the preferred shrubs (browse) are unused, rapidly grow out of reach of deer, and thicken to impenetrabilityi At population level's designed to produof'nutrce mti�ouscfoodmebutnt (areiusmngathest), deer are healthiest. They can find plenty , resource to the limit of easy living. Therefore, the desirable shrubs show some use, but tender new shoots are not all gone at the end of the season. At maximum standing crop of deer, the resource is being used to its limit, For winter browsing, this means nearly 100 use of all anneal growth of desirable shrubs: For summer browsing, when shrubs are less resistant to damage,' the figure is probably closer to 80%, Reproduction of these shrubs will be missing except for certain years of very favorable conditions, and in places protected from deer browsing. With too many deer, shrubs are damaged, with more than 100% use of annual growth (deer are eating old stems). Even with deer over o ulations some shrubs are not eaten, or are eaten only li hg tly A ru bshlan is not goo dee" " r ha�iitat Summar There are th y, ree principles of deer management 1) peer have very specific requirements and not all brushy areas are good deer range. y maximum standing any deer; b) too We can manage for and identify results of; a) too m few deer, c) maximum production, d) m g crop for the food resource. We don t;know as m uch about �ome of the special requirements, 3) Bach of us has different goals and values for deer husbandry and We all have some difficulty in accurately communicating these goals and values, Resolving the communication problem Without anger is the first step i,n reaching solutions. I FEEDING STRATEGY OF DEER By E Lee Fitzhugh and Woody. Elliott Extension Wildlife Specialist and Staff Research Associate Wildlife Extension University Of California Davis) CA 95616 `February, 1986 small mouth of deer permits them to selectivelyremove the most The m nutritious s"ecies in a mixture of many different g nstwigs1f Experiments e most nutritious parts of shrubs, such as new ea ''th sheep and cattle have shown that oheacentgthehplantsuandppartsnofoplants wi of vegetation averaged from 3.4 to 5. p r to 8 3 percent= taken by sheep averaged 7,2 to 10,6 sheep. his indicatestileim ortance of Deer are even more selective than sheep• a most conservative stocking so that the animals have free choice of t nutritious foliage and'are not forced onto inadequate diets: d Under usual Weather conditions, browse shoots and twigs become woody an d summer. Also by this time of year, green tucculen herbaceous e deer baceoubrnwse high bye and plying weight Thus, onember ranges wheefdeerood are non- . tough :are in short supply. 8y August and Sep of low quality an th,� critical and tile forage offerdly pbyod Migratory, gratory a is d such as coast ranges of California, for deer �s oftej+ late summer when herbage,Tile few species thatarehigh in most shrub species is low in food value, as California bay, buckeye, b rchleaf nuts^itive value during gwhhis oakioare api, to be preferred and critical foods. mahogany and moon The presence of such forages may be the eldifferenoftnatlastshuntilrfall ralow ins Th p mortality �n late sumiiter. This erstwh h ds the CM it period is usually bring:.:out green feed Cc�l,d winter �vi�rntireravy frost :loll back all new groly are lso critical, With migratory de ate winter When scows have covered the low graw7ng plants and the deer- mid or 1 are entirely de pendent on she taller shrubs. re - acorn years, on ranges where oaks arhipl nnf tsCan s carbohydrates rates In goo ua9 i t;y: ferred food in late summer and fall, Acorns are g s are low in q when, other food. and are a valuable forage ata season Compartments the rumeeh, which The food first enters the biggest stgmach like a fermentation vat. The enironme►1t of the. r5amen 1s without functions_ , at a erobic ,ata slightly acidic arid Constant (buffered) bo en an Its food contents are F,. by muscular oon'tractions oxygen she life of microbes which constant tempereture� it a,nd prrto2,oa.,unsume plants, A largepart of the rumen wall, These Conumeni These dit are ideal bZ (11 of plantsbit hisrcell�.� u. ul'O'-'-e which cannot to dllisMs i est cmbialrfermenor tatiion,' such a� of p except ni:robes The waste products o s second and i:h�rd stomachs, the tic c ac"1'T, acomponent of vinegar) are absorbed ttirqugh the rumeh wall an ace deer as a source of energy. Th are 11sed by reticuluili and osu►n, absorb the fermentatign acids, ma C inally� the digested food particiebndy providese into hacidseto digeststomach opr`bteio, en abomasumhcsn`tained in thembbdies�othe y p as art none f the microbes that PASS qut of the rum pro_t�_i n _.i arti cl is : e i est on ofI��yse mi orobes and with the, undige-Wbie foo p , their protein rop vides essential amino acids for the deer. (Deer are carnivores too!) Many rumen microbes can make tiproamitein fromids tooberpresentoincthees irch otein s as ammonia. They do not require specific, food. Thus, rumen microbes supply deer with energy as a by-productrof their ir carbohydrate metabolism and essential amino acids fromive. their body while deer supply these microbes with place i Continued absorption of,nutrients occurs as food passes throughe foodnagain ne which secretes narrow, small intestidigestive enzymes. Then, undergoes microbial fermentation o whereewater andamoresnutrentac that srareuabsorbedes d the intestinal tract, and the colon by deer. Fina e ro�lucts of the deer's metabolism. .rola the rectum waste ocher Finally, p ally the undigestible food particles are excreted along: with The rate that food is b� urned'in a body to support life is lower for lar e animals such ase1k. Thus, small animals'fnodhthatat disrmoredieestible_andfood has re a ve toter ody Weight nr must e tM� • to retain more avai1ab]'e nutrienos• wesht,thegreatei longer the tamecthatothe foodmcan be oo re ative to t e y 9 retained in thenrumen to deer, larger rumen digesttinbaddition weight ratio than to requiring less food�rel'Aive to its body weight. Thus, elk can eat foods o lower nutritional ualit than deer Which ar e known to be more �g y s�-' elective fleeers• In a discussion of What black-tailed deer authorities ber and on deerOrangenecologybe �Mout hat. i f a deer lives in an area Where _ the ideal diet and the real diet". These ,here all pref�^rred food plants are pointt present in ample 'quant jtyb ush siroutsrgnithealateasprng,hbrushlsproutsaand winter and early spring, r p ►1 (See Figures succulent herbs in the summer, and.broWse and acorns in the fall l and 2) Browse is the gain stay in winter= On 'California ranges where deer Were originally the most numerous thopen Oak With Much oftthisersed- type of brush patches -•• foods of these types were is land in California, particularly wandcattla,,, grazingo' Deer have had n the original dw winter gto�shift ow being farmed or is used for sh p into other brush types, gen&ally at higher elevations, where some of the preferred diet items are often in short supply. in the average present day deer habitat, one of the main deficie ncies is herbaceous food ••- grass and succulent herbs or fortis . These succulentplants are usually much higher in nutritive value during lath Winter and early spring than are the brush species and deer will come,through the winter in much better condition and With fewer Winter losses Where sucIA foods are available. Table l A Comparison of the Optimum with the Usual Diet CFrom Taber basmann Actual' food lSaten on preferred food (whereActual bru, t range nt)prese Season ._ Nov - bee Acorns, bmWse, some new growth of Mostly a5bwse grass and herbs Jan •= Mar Mostly new, growth of grass & herbs Mostl; browse brush NOW growth of brush New graWth of Y AprMostly brown May �� Aug Succulent herbs, some browse Rcor0s, $ole browse Mostly browse Sept - Oct Some preferred shrubs are bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) mountain whiteth%rn (Ceanothus cordulatus), deerbrush Ceanothus rimes , birchleaf mahogany (Cerocar us betuliode ,mountain mahogany Cercoca ms ledifolius), Fremont si tasse; (Garrya fremontii), bitter cherry Prunus emarg`inata and California redberry (Rhamnus crocea). Palatability of plants" for deer varies in different sections of the deer range; It seems to be related to soil types and various chemicals found in the soil. Comparison of what deer eat and what plantsare available to be eaten demonstrates that on. ly a few plant species comprise the bulk of the' deer diet. These selected plant species are usually high in digestible protein and energy which are the nutrients most often in shortest supply of deer. Also, these selected plant species are low in "secondary compounds" which discourage their consumption by deer. These chemicals are contained in aromaticplant species such as sagebrush, juniper, and. California bay and inhibit the fermentation processes of rumen microbes. Deer have been found dead of starvation during severe winters with Oeirl rumens full of sagebrush and dry grass. HoWever, Moderate amounts 1 aromatic plant species are consumed when the inhibitory compounds can be d%luted wii.i) other plant species in the rumen, At different times of tfie year, deer -need different amounts of nutrients'. Bucks eat a high quality diet during the spring and summer for growth so that they can be the biggesn pucks, and therefore impregnate the most does, during the rut in the fell, Also, during the summer,' they need to build up their energy reserves of body fat so that they can remain active during the rut and so that they can remain alive during the winter when nutritional forage' is scarce, Does that successfully reproduce require a minimum level of protein and energy for the maintenance of their own physiological functions and then increasing amounts of these nutrients as their fetuses develop and lactation reaches a peak soon after the fawn is born (Figs. 3Mb),. After weaning her fawns, the doe uses the nutrients for maintenance, body growth and fat storage. This is necessary for winter survival in cold climates when the availability of forage and its nutrient content is low (Figs: 3-6). Fawns grow rapidly for several months after birth to that they can survive the winter season of nutritional stress. Their rapid growth is dependent on 'a nutritious diet which they first obtain as mother's milk and then from their own forage consumption. The sy►ichronizedwiththe availability protein nutrient requirements of deer are reproductiveresponding ` i and energy in the forage. On a summer range; protein and energy are plentiful in the forage and the nutritional requirements of deer are the highest. During the winter when the forage has lore nutritional value, deer reduce their ►nutritional requirements by reducing their basal metabolic rate and activity. However, during Winter, a deficit of protein and energy between Consumption and demand still occurs (Figs. 3-6). production of fawns (Figs. C b). During summer; protein may not be sufficiently available for the ma x ximum The nature of the deer, its body size, stomach site; and digestive strategy require a diet higher in energy, protein, and other nutrients than is usually found in the veg(ation. To survive,deer must pick and .choose ohl' the most nutritiousparts of their habitat, `Larger herbivores, such as elk or cattle, are estdemanding- -of quality and c; n, survive on oorer ran e» This is the basis for competitive problems between herbjV res, The range may look healthy, but if, two herbivores both seek the same plant species and one of the animals needs it for survival1 the one that doesn't need it as much will survive; While the other will die, .-r 5nerigy required i LU 300 tnergy consumed 250 r m 200, . 150- aN ,_ _ _._ _ . . m 100 LIA r W m. 4 ua�wiWY'a...i.�.yi4i"Yrwar i1w+ ' a J Jan, Feb. mar, Apr, May June July Aug': Sept., Oct. Nov Dec, �E Gestation n i –Wei glut Gai ..—.d Figure 3 energy balance for mine deer in Colorado, },,w: ------- Protein _'req ired, -�- - Protein available Lu 400 Z 300 .� N = 2,00 / LU cY [— - --- U1 a100Ju 50,.�..-;.._--�.---�--""' - -n Apr' . May ne,. duly Aug- Sept 0 0 ,: _ Fib, Mar , �- 0 t. ov . Dec y . —Lactation ..- Gestat on .r-.. . .6—Weight Gain-- --�--= Protein balance of deed' at 'Po' nt R,.yes, Cal i orn7 a. - gore p 5, "_'`_--- -- Energy requ i red - _ -- — -» Energy consumed t 400 c3 350 cc 300' w 200' , J 4n ,. m 150 = 100 50 o' Ott, Nov. Dec, Jan_, Feb, Mar, --'- Apr; May June July Aug. Sept. , � Gestation �� . ------- Lactation k—= Weight Gain -- , F`igur'e 6. Energy bal ahce of deer at Point Reyes, Gal i forni'a, GEORGE 1)EUKM11d IAN STATE OF CALIFORNIA--RESOURCES AGENCY' �ll'�IHXiXtX(�}{i GovernoC DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND CAME f/ REGION 2 1701 NIMBUS ROAD, SUITE A RANCHO CORDOVA, CALIFORNIA P667 (916) 355-7030 March 29 , ,1983 4 Ms, Bettye Kircher, Director Butte County Planning Department 7 County Center Drive Otovilleo CA 95965 bear Ms► xirch;er In response to your quostions, recent Department comments submitted legarcling proposed tentative parcel maps in Butte County have specified 'the amount of dec,i winter range lost to residential development in Bunte County. This information was obtained by a survey of assessor parcel maps by biologist Jim Snowden in February and March of 1983. parcel sizes significantly less. than 40 acres in size were considered. to have little value to migratory deer. Some pari: els 0f 4.'� or more acrei were considen.1 lost of surrounded by smaller parc:r.:.;a, or if cels. , p y ridors substantial residential dev�...o merit blacked migratory car to the undeveloped ":�"r It should be noted that the V, cumulative impacts do not show the substantial indirect impacts to adjacent parcels causes, '-y dogs, poaching$ harassment, roads, etc. These indirect impacts reduce Many the value of n�an m,:)re acres 4,n addition to t he documented losses. The attached tables describe ointdr range losses caused by j :residential development rn Butte County for the three herds involved... y question Jerry Mensch,`Environ 1f,you, have an ue5tionsr ilease contact Mental Services SuperVisorr telephone (916) 355-7030 5incerely� Pahl Ti Jenseil Regional Manager ptil+u C�. Plndtlin9 tAAR OrbvtllA, Calif�rakl APPENDIX 'b ._........ _ y Migratory Deer Herd Winter Range Losses To Rtisidentiai Development in Butte County Table I; Range Totals (in acres) Deer Herd Cri tical. Range 'Non -Critical Ra Total East Tehama 55,374 66,640 122,014 Bucks Mountain 138t714 61,900 200161:4 Mooretown 60,840 53,1641_' 114,004 Table 1? Range Loss (in acres Deer Herd; Critical Rahg6 Non -Critical Range Total East Tehama 32,360 10;181_ 42,541 Bucks Mountain 40,830 14,420 55,250 Mooretown 18,954' 300377 49,331 Table r11' percettta.e of Range dost Deer Herd critical Range Non,:Critical Range Total East Tehama 40 I5 39 Sucks Mountain 28 23 28, Mooretown_ 31 57 34 r "0 Co i Planning Comm. f'111 .i- 1984 Orovlllo, :�litnmq ` CHAPTER 18.94 "WH" NATURAL 11An rTA'r CO'MBI ZING DISTRICT 18.9-10 • The intent of the "01-111 Natural Habitat Combining DIS- trict ifsto protect areas which bra reco nixed and established in the Lanmi County General . 1?lon and npplicable Area Plans as-important to the wildlife populcaLlonn of Lossen County. 'These resources are important to the scenic, recreation,, 1 the Count 1, cultural, social, and econoriic values ai the county. According y, ) in desiring to provide an ap ropriate place For these wildlife pKiPu] ate ons and Cq minimize the effects of d.eveloplent on them, while at the sane time to the enjoynent and use 'of privnt'e property, e,tablichex the regulations provided herein. ds in an 18.9_ 4.0?0_. Except as otheririse provided in zovisionsis tofr thencompanion'rzone or Combining District shall be subject to the p ;ones with which it is conhinod, and shall also be subject to the provisions of' Ch;tpters 18:102 throunh 18,108 of this Title. 18 94..0301 bevelopnent Standards. 1 In rllose areas where Ll�e General Plun, or an Area Plan, has tment of Fish delineated Natural. Habitat areas, the California Depar and Gane hos identiflod and the. County of Lassen has adopted specific 'Aldlife concerns and appropriate development limitations and Mitigations necessary therein. These arena shall have the zoning district combined with the principal zoning designation. 2 An average building site area shall be established for each 11!41111 District and shall be indicated by a figure following the "NCH" in the zoning district des! ;nation . Said fl,�ure shall. >?epresent the average buildin; site area in acres, Devolo iron!; projects creating building sitea in a "Nit" Di-strict shall be p p�rrcels created by the designed so that the t;veraHe at reane per parcel for i'JL project is OgOl� to or greater than the average building site area specified for the appl,i,cable tonins district 18,�4.OG0 �iL 1)evilloi�rrent Plan iecluirerments.:, 1, In any district With which in conbined an 4111" Dis riot, approval. di a site development pian shall be required in conjunction with any appli,cition subject to approval by County agencies Jiltl.udinl;, but not limited Lia, building Permits, use p+�rmits;, subdivision And Al'D1�Nll�X P parcel map applications. 2. Any such site development plan shall be consideroto of and compatible with identified wildlife resources, the General Plan or applicable Area Plan. Such development shall also be considerate of existing neighboring applications. 3. Such sine development plan shall accompany 'a submitted: development application and shall show (1) parcel dimensions and parcel. size, (2) existing improvements, (3) proposed locat-"lons, sizes, and types of rights -of --way, easemefits, utility line r(:s,io n, i^nas';;; fencesp and outdoor lighting, (4) proposed 'size and distL t��d(l lon . ' t`rrlctures I and (5) proposed level of site disturbance; in.-AudiftM"A b:Ilsh removal, earth removal$ topographic changes, waterway alte7u.!nne; and other considerations. 4. The fee for such review and necessary appeals shall, be established a by the Board of Supervisors, 18694,050 Site Development Plan Review, 1, Such site development plan shall be considered by the planning Department in an endeavor to ascertain its compatibility with the intent and provisions of this Chapter and the .Lassen County General .plan, and applicable Area Plan policies, To this end; the Planning Department shall suggest any changes in the site development plan as it may deem to be necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Chapter, and shall not approve any such plan until it is satisfied that: such purposes will be accomplished by the site development plan. 2, Xn the case of site developments which are subject to C.P.Q'.A, review, the Planning Department shall review the site development plan as part: of the initial Study., Such review shall comply with C,P,CA, requirements to mitigate potential: environmental impacts, as well as comply with: the criteria established in the 6 0:ral Plan or applicable Area Plan, 36 in the case of site developments which are exompt from'C.B.Q,A. review, the Planning Department shall review site development plans for conformance with the criteria established in the General Plan or applicable Area plan', Such review shall be incorporated whenever possible into the permit or project appli,cati.on process which initiated the site development plan review: 4� The site development plan review shall; be conducted within time frames consistotb with Lassen County's procedure for environmental PLANNING COMMISSION DEERHERU STUDY ORIEFINr They deKarherd range i ssue was ra 1 sed in m 1 d 1983 by i;k°ji� Ca 1 1 forn'r a Fish and Game Commission, The Cc. :1 ss i on had enloine concerned w i,;l-, deve 1 opment in the Foothills encroaching upon trl 1 gt-atory deer ran,.le,s . As a result $ the Boardof Supervisors took .steps to cro.ate a Committee to study the deerherd rarigt,i issues The :rtrmnr i +tee put together a, report on the matter which p.'-ov i ded i,�pd� ted i n format i an on migratory deer i n 1301- i.n county. The 5 err^ also described impacts oF.subdivision enC.rYaachment on the mt gyratory di -el- ranges) and r `commended' mit 1 sint i on measures for protection of migratory deer hats i tat t�ffect�erl by subd>i v 1 s i ran ; deva 1 o�mer��t , The C omm i ttees x s report, was: swum i teed to the R l arIn i ng Coiitrn i sW i on For review anri public input. Our i ng 1984 , the Commission held .several Public hear i n6s to solicit public comments. After Brans der v nq public input t'le Comm l ss'1 on concluded that additional information was needed to adopt some reasonable policies on this matter. The Planning Commisskon rer_ommended that the Poarrd of 'Supervisors request that the Department of Fish and Game P-ovide the following informati0m 1. identify the limiting factors on hard �)pulatiori and data to support conclusions. 2. Update Fish and Game maps for Region 2 as they would effect. Butte County to reflect limiting factors identified 81. Prov 1 de i n j*'ormat i on on range management and i mproverrent Funding under current ,proposed 1egls1a-�lon are regulation All Comparye relfferences In tonditionz and limltstlons in ButPtO- County to those In bordering Counties regarding management, compa!*e versws private manauwnant 0,nta to support, fens i kr i ty or rsnge management p;l nn$ i,rr gutt�e County. 61 Pr6v 1 de 1 n'format; i on on t i mel 1 ne structure and fund l no for department range manageniernt copabi 1 1 t in qut:,County. The Oepat tWment of Fish' and Game responded to the 064rd 4 s t nqu l r ; j The Soat*d thea referred the 0op8r4tmen't of Fish and Game r^e5p()rr �e ba+ct to th+� Commission �. � which , rcaurred during p ss � on for' fur.�her' rev i cw; 1 78ia arta 1 .986. In the year" of J987, the Boar -d i n i t i ated General Plan Amendit en is and O `d l rionces to bo developed to l mp 1 emt-ML* the recommended to i't i fat i on tnea;�ures. 1 rico l '�e3) many study meet 1 rigs; puk) l i a hear- i rigs r and dr�rrspcndence his transpl nee_{ v� l th the 0oa1, of creat i rid a qo,wernmertal P011CY to address the deerherrj I--,- prob I em. Various Pal IcY Proposals have been emteh-rtK31 F10d by both the PlanllingCommission and the,- Board Of SuPer"Isors; tiuriino this time period resulting in sOMe confusion. Th I s' r I e f I r, 6j� 1i s Intended to clarify tine Board's, direction on t In 1 s mab4or) the possible financial Imp,_,ts fOr future development In deerherd range, and a course; of action to be carried out In the near future. PLANNING DEPARTMENT WORK PROGRAM FOR 0EERHERD RANGE MANAGEMENT board Trio of t� TI �SupevlStirs has directed the Pl,-4;nnin!� D,(,,p,:_3rtM0ht to , Bor moke preparations to amend the County's General Plan In order to Implement the recommended mitigation measures cif the doerherd study In response to 'this directive, the Plonrlirir), 01rector has made arrangements for the development ref' D Resource Conseryation/Energy element. Development Or suclil on (�IOmer it Hill provide the necessary information and analysis,tri amend all other elements of the Cbunty*s General Plan. Forthermoro,,) In preparing such an tlement� an Environmental Impact Report would be, prepared which is necessary tO justify Or to substantuat-0 deerherdimpact fees. The majority of funding for such an undertaking V4111 be ,derived from an Energy COMInIssion grant. rundIng of the project not derived from the abovegrant will come from the County salary savings. During 1588 It 18 the objective of the Planning Department to., 11. Secure Funding from the California tEnergy Commisslorl, 2 . ObtaIr-, Soard, approv.all for a request r0fproposal an Planning project -s. 9. C00traCt �1th a Cons!ultant, 4i 8001111 development of the resoura+� ond Dl ERHERD MITT(ATIQN PC -1:8 The oepartment of Fish 0"'J GZTMk-, ln,ar' 1 -.hat the County establls#-i,a schetjule of � tps ane, a t_:,ubSe_quqni-. fund for deerherd range m; t 1 oat I on. H r -i w r-, v c r j bO_ftit-0 --lUch F60s man be established, some baz'cs of th(_3 feet -z t,%1,jst be dr: Y010PIld' t JUztI1`Y such a t a ;-�a t I oin Or -2, 'v e 1-8 of re%6 Schkidul 0z have been recommerr�ed to the Doord SLIP01-visors by both thje Department of r1sh and G---2iML3 anti the LP_erh(--_n-d !;faudy Coinrilit-toe (seo attothed), Hopsiever, adopt lon OF ar., -n-olinance to PrezC-rlbO NO% falls under the Umbr,ella Of tho Calif, rrlta Ener lronmenti31 Dwallty Act, One of the primat-y step!1;ujte courll:y 'to legil-slate, S ,deer mltigbh lran fee, i s tQ prc-_Pare- 8111 tel-tIfY an Environmental lmPaGt ROPOt"t, On suf-"-o 1(n00ZIAte iv(_1 act, it.-4ing. The Department or Fish and Game reportS estobllshos 4a slonlrjtant effect on the environment, and as such, the County, Board of SUpervlzorsis precluded from filing I negative declaration. For the above reasons, Butte County. Planning Director, Bettye Kircher, has suggested incorporating the above required Envlrionment6l Impact Re , port Into the development of the resource cons creat i onr'er�er element. This would 1:e cost beriel"Icial to thes Crjunty by uti I I z�j t -1,;j Energy Comm I s�- , sion grant funding to occompl Ish multiplo oafs and objectives of both the Count as well at seve-al SLtate Agencies, INTERIM POLICY CONCERNING DEERIAERD RANGE Based upon the Subdivision Map Act and the Californla ' Environmental Quality Act, an interim policy was developed by the Board of Supervisors In 1987 to guide development in those arear, of the deerherd habitat. The Boards directive was stated as follows, "Any allowable developmen� "n 8 migratory deerherd range will require condition Of aPr Oval s+-atjog, that the ovmesr agrees to pay the doer Mitlgat !00 fees reqoired by County Ordinance for issuance of Bulldllr!0 Permits at the time such permits are issued. Owner acknowleges -',,,hat no such Ordinance- Is In effect as of the date of approval." Maps prepared by the bepartment of Fl;zh and Game are utilized by staff to determine what properties are located in a game leve l!opm6nt zone to and Implement the above interim pollicy, Tht� Department of Fish and Gamo maps are currently being reformatted to be utilized In the County's General Plan, ApproxItnate'alY s -1-Y percent of such mapplhb has been completed to date. CVCgkC+F t?EUKMENAN E�+'+�' CAW UR 11IE RESOURCES AGENCY � _ -•-� � °- " ��' � . STATE Or .- .__ - AND GAME TMLNT . of FISH A , C7EPAR REGION 2 t.lrIOVIL { , CA»tFr PjNIA 1701 NIMBUS ROAD, SUITE A RANCHO COiN�VA, CALIFORNIA 95670 (916) 355-7020' r,� �8' ocimiO of su?s"ITVI!,0113 APR 151987 mn, sd MCT,-jughlin, Chairman Butte Coufxtyervisor Board of Sup Administration Center 25 County Center Drive oroviller CA 95965-3380 pear Mr. "Laughlint of the Department of rich and 1986, represeentatives tion,regarding_protecti nO on December 2. our Boar Game p resented to y At that t1A,.. r Weagreed, migratory deer- habitat 'in Butte County• e development can to pro,ride the Dpard with sp ecific details on our recommendations. and to identify areas of low deer value whet Proceed We further agreed to refine our maps to delete such areas, fromdesignation as deer range;, tie have now completeli this p roc'ess and have attached our final to protodt deer. It is our report on measures necBoard Wil .1 Ives >vi] 1 be - in the Board will take expedited,ll to implement understand 9 artznent repro these recommendations., Dep, April 28th to eic}�J.ain our J attending your' Board's meeting on material in detaili lease call. Jerry Mensch If you have any further questions p 91� 355-7050. Environmental Services Supervisor, ( . gincerely ,lames Dy ldessersmith Regional Manager , 8nclosure5 Measures for protection of .Migratory Deer Habitat. in Butte County April 15, 1987 This report complete;; the land use analysis portion of the deer report presented to the 'Butte County Board of, Supervisors on December 2, 1986 and identifies Impacted deer winter range where development may continue with mitigation measures. Deer winter range in need of protection Mitigation measures ;to offset loss of habitat resulting from subdivision and development. General Plan revisions. Implementation of the following criteria will 1) provide guidelines 11!Or development in migratory deer ranges, 2) create a fund' to be used on projects to improve the quality of the habitat within the remaining deer ranges in the county, 3) control free roaming dogs on deer ranges, 4) allow free movement of neer through remaining deer ranges, and 5) provide ,tong term protection to tiiigeatory deer in the county. Several criteria were used to determine lands where deer use has been or will be adversely affected by present parcel size. s uch lands which are identified �1adsm{$zones"t maybe further developed with mtigtionmeasu�ere Appendices A Implementation of these criteria also determined winter range where development must be carefully controlled in order to provide basic habitat needs {i.e., foody water, and cover) and corridors of travel for migratory dee-r. The following criteria were used to determine impacted deer ranges and to delineate "Designatod 'Development Zones" Parcels are currently less than 20 acres.Deer movement (migratory movement or, movement to feoding areas, thermal cover, etc.) is blocked by parcels 04 5 acnes or less forming a barrier 1/4 mile or greater in width. From a planning perspectives it Was ,assumed that all parcels less than 20 acres will eventually be 5 acres be loss in size. Habitat within the parcel is not suitable for migratory deer. Lands that border a t1984 Buttelcounty rnect11.10 rd study identified in the May 1I I panel Report) that are not within a .Speci:ica].ly designated migration "window". or more s ,dOs by parcels less, that critical of Designated Deer winter range of 160 acres or' or, bordered on t re less than 20 acres i s relmetd to "f i7'1 -in" if the following conditions a not block deer movement? DeVelo�>ment will • ent of the property will rea=r t in a Del up e on, deer use of gureounding areas. A•�I delineate "Desi.gnated Development, Zone 5" in deer Appendices licatian of the winter range as identified though app aforeme range a criteria. implementation of these recommendtions nal py the County+ Board of Sueslvnates Develo "nentaZone" owith subdivision wlehin the "D g minimal impact on cr.> tical deer range, RECOMMENDATIONS s within the "'Designated Developmeurtheres'uk dial ate d in Appendi Land ces A-1, may be identifie`the following mitigation tne3sures: provided they are subject to . the fee adopt and implementdeer mitigation f �.. The county` s,tuctuee contained inAppend 3:x 3 A 40 acre minimum parcel size gildlife constraint be 2� laced on erttical deer whter' and summer ranges, p areas that are outsi,dL migration eorri.dors and fawning the "Oeaignat-d Development 2houldibeTerended toy Element 01, the Cenera.l plan provide this c0hstra;nt. 3: A 20 aci~e minimum parcel Size willdlt -0 const"raLnt be placed on designatedehattare outrsidee'r''DesignateA intermediate ranges The Land ilse Sl0m0nt of the Development 20et!s" provide this General plan should' be am ended, to eonstr�int 4. A wildlife constraint be pl ranging in'Si aced on parce4o 'currently g a from 20.0 to 39.9 acres 4t are outside "besignated Development Zones" Further subdivision of the land. ` tO prevent of the General Plan should be amended tr1d Use Element constraint. Protide this 5• The county adopt and enforce a dog control ordinance within migratory deer ranges similar. tti Ol contained In' Appendix K. for migratory deer range$ outside "Designated Development Zones". 6• The county adopt and implement a ordinance similar to that containedrincAe' fen-cing migratory deer 'ranges y-)U H Appendix L for Zones9° tsido Designa ed development 7. 100 foot and 50 foot buffer z each side of ones be established along respectFull permanent and intermittent streams elements. Y, in order to maintain critical habitat Theses distances should be expanded to encompass all riparian wetland veg tat,iohwhere it may e"xfsttoutside the designated ;zones be allOWed within these area:�, No bui.ldirg should 84 Building envelope s be des-ighated as conditions approval of Parcel or Subdivision _maof designated areas for developMaps within ms"nt `itransportation corridors',. along %de tified GENERAL PLAN The Conservation :Element shGuld support development within deer ranges in eder rare need to regulate of migratory deer; The Land Use Elemoht ofprovide �h le for the heeds should incorporate the following s ecific General' plan, p policies: 14 Require Protection of migrator. inaintehance of minimum y deer through On Cr't"cal a d told , sa�" Of 40 and 20 acres eespect, ull n besienat"ed deer winter ranges; y (reco►nmendation numbers 2 and 3), 26 Require that development in idonti.f�d cieor ra ngos be re�ulated to Eaciixtate the surviva 1 of migratory tieee, 3� Provide a means' to improve and habitat in Butte Count y Protect migratory door County �tccoinm�.hdrrt�o.n number l). APPENDIX J Doer MitiQrltiOn roe -mitigatiQn fee for impacts within Yuba County has adopted a following descriptive language migratory . doer, ranges. The 0 and t1 -A30.. 1 5, 1985 'Final Environmental Impact Ropor, I I their April has been modified to Comply Ath the doOV fee schedule in this report and the needs of migratory rocommenda in Butte county. she ,tihg environmental damage by iij.1prov i nq practice of off -setting site is used at both stage and areas not connected to a -pr for vels. These Offs1te improvements are uJA*- Fedaral le Qdfincluding lost of wotlands, different kinds of: impactso and I - quality degradation; increased traffic congestion, air recreation Space - for school classrooms Or improving deer increased demands Mitigation may be accomplIshed by physically i .habitat or as I sessing a fee tt is used to n.furth0ButtOe.county. t'-dyl or improve migratory door habithaat elsewhere i t proposals in Butte County involve Since most developmenutilize most 'Of the area involved, ely small parcels or on Site or relatively mitigation measures it is imp�actical to Provide f'Or m property owned by project proponents. There are afew on other t multiple parcels . I I subdividers in Butte County who do own largo ed elsew here 'rove doer habitatontherpropeand may wish to imp hou.16 be consier 'Se subdividers s in the county. The vifoe hitat improvement independently 7 and be allowed to Pro 1dO e Department Of ir octlye subject to review and approval by the Dep d most subdividers or builders who do Fish and 'Game (DFG). rot m., nos h -O practicaway Forto :t own extensive lands elsewherej there I tat impeovoments�on their ptopertl yt provide sufficient habitat mprbvementOf these, assessment a:)f a mitigation fO abdeVeIOM-Oht itat elsewherecanserve to . mitigate impactsofrom their I lands. — based upon I location. of the proposed The PtOPOsed foe Schedule is winte' rangei d.Wintet or cel Ofd e land division within designateovoloomdot size of 'parcels Proposed and estimated effects requests for 8 incroaso �110 re migratory deer. Fee nCrt_, of ISO in IntenSity patterns upon m,ig i 1 Id smaller parcel sites and the resultant into Smaller ones wOu Every subdivision Of a Parcel 0 e construction And OCCUPatiOn incur an iMp4ot eee. 8ihC 5 0 house increase-- inpaCtr- significantly MO"$ thc" just thlLogoriest. fees have been divid0d into, two cc subdivisionof land fees a second at the, The first, imposed at the parcel map stave andOf etmvt 8tage4 this provides for a distribution building 1) 1actor_ to the benefit received. (goo mitigation measures Tablb 4 -2- No fees would be assessed for subdivision of lots which were five or fewer acres at the time of the proposed ad'd_itional split. Lots off: this size are already below the minimum size for supporting migratory doer, and :indeed for most resident deer', and are considered already lost as deer habitat. It is recognized that establishment of a fee schedulo and the collection and disbursement of funds incurs employee time and uthe'r expenses not currently required. The county may wan L to collect 15-20% M of the habitat improvement fee as compensation for these added costs. llmns collected in this program would be placed in a special All monis enterprise fund by the county. it would be dispersed to further study deer, improve deer habitat, or to landowners who signed an agreement with the county for specific habitat improvement projects (approved by DFG) and agree to maintain them for a minimum of 10 years'. The landowners could either implement the habitat improvement project 4 themselves or participate with DFG concurrence with the California Department of Forestry in their Vegetation Mawgement. Program or other similar state or Federal habitat improvement programs. Monies from the impact fee fund would be paid to participating landowners after the agreed upon improvements had been made. t w TABLE T; SCHEDULE OF RECOMMENDED IMPACT FEES Proposed Parcel Map Building Vomit e Existing Parcel Size Lot SiZ0* Stage Critical Winter` Criti,Cal Winter Winter Winter Range Range Ran _ Tian e 4'0+ acres 40.0+ acres $-' $ $.- $25020-39.9 $- $350 acres $300 $250 $350 $ 10-19.9 acres' $350 ,x1300 $350 $350 .1.-9.9 acres 2Q.0=39.9 acre 20.0 -39.9 acre si $ 250 $300 $- $200 $ 250 $350 $ - $350 . 10.0-19.9 acres► $350 $240 $350 $350 0.1-9.9 acres 5.1-1.9.9 acres 10-19.9 acres: $ 75 $' 90 6'S $ 65 $ $265 $265 $2.65. .- $265 0.1-9.9 acres Fees would be assessed against each new lot proposed. APPENDIX K REV''ISED BUTTE COUNTYDOG 'ORDINANCE 112. The previsions of this ordinanceshall apply to mig,eator-y deer range's that are outside of lands identified as "Designated 'Development Zone" in Appendices A -I (see Exhibit available at Butte County Planning Department, 7 County Center Drive, Oroville, for specific locations where ordinance ,a'pplies) 113. In any instance in which a dog or dogs is/.4),o observed killing wounding, or pursuing deer, except as noted in Section 114, the person observing ;this action may take action into and .including terminating the dog(s) ifit is on kne'ir own property, has the permission of the landowner', or is an public lands (e.g,, U. S. Forest Service,, Bureau of Land Management, etc.') - 114. The provisions of Sections 112 and 113 shall not apply to any of the following; a. Any area within the corporate limits of any city, or withih any developed rural or residential area with lot sizes of less than three `acres. b. Any dogs being used for the purpose of ,lawful tra,ihing or ring prescribed dog ttaining or hunting seasons2tlg du Ci Dogs in the immediate presgnce and undor direct control g i close proximity the ownereandndu the ownermustdemonstrateeffectivecontrol of the e g 115. Ttie provisions of this act do not provide a legal reason for unauthorized trespass. Oefending dogs may be shot ohly by persons with a right or permission to be on the property, All incidents occurring under this provision;, whether or not the offending dog or dogs are shot, must be reported to local law enforcement officials including bepartment of Fish and Game personnel. APPENDIX. L Perimeter Fending Ordinance 116. The provisions of this ordinance shall apply to migratory deer ranges that are outride lands identified as"Designated Development Zone" in appendices A-1 (see exhibit available at �u tte County Planning Department, 7 County Center Drive, Oroville for specificlocations where ordinance applies). 11,7. Within the areas identified above, perimetor fencing shall be limited to smooth or barbed wire (unless a dpecial use permit is acquired). To allow passage of cider, the fence shall be constructed of five strands or less of barbed wire. The 'bottom and top wire shall be a minimum of 16 inches anti a maximum of 48 inches above the ground. 118: The provisions of Sections 116 and 117 shall not apply to any of the following: a. Any area within the corporate limits of my city, or within any developed rural or resident-i,al area wit°h lot sizes of five acres or less. b. Proposed fencing of garden areas, dwellings, or nmediate barn sC:ructures. c. Proposed feitc,ing to eliminate deer- depredation lotises to vineyards,, alfalfa, etc., where a special use permit: has been obtained. d. Any existing 'perimeter fencing 119. As ecial use permit may be obtained for a variance to the provisions of Sections 1.16 and 117 for agriculture purposes (i.e, sheep grazing, deer exclosure perimeter fences to prevent deer depredation losses to agriculture crops). i CHIIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE COUNTY OF BU'l"°[ r �VIT?F 25 COUNTY CENTER DRIVE - OROVILLE, CALIFORNIA 9$965.3380 : (916) 138,7631 o r o * u' MEMBERS OF T.11C UOARD. C •.. G. CdUS'% HASKEL A. MoINTUR.R JANLI DOLAN MAA -M. -J ivIGHOLq KARCN VLRCRUSR et civACIMINISTRi3Uf10'�0. PI ATIVI* OFFICER a,nning Comm. Eta hkcLAUGHLIN flov r LEN t=UL1'dN Oraviil0, 4alitar i�; November 4, 1987 John Piendons.a, Chairman Butte County Advisory Agency 7 CountyCenter brivie aroville', CA 95965 Dear John: Rei beer Herd Mitigation on November 3, of deer herd mit_ga4iors7ashpart of an appeal to the Advisory the subject Board of Supervisors again � +� isary Agency's clenial of a., tentative parcel map. Following discuM4ioht the Board of Supervisors requested that staff, as a matter of courser place a note On traps requiring the, applicaat to pact deer herd mitigation fees at' such tide as the Br,ard of Supervisors' ordinances are in place, and to liuvo the Advisory Agency approve' thh maps utilizing this Board's; policy.. Ue woUld appreciate your efforts in advising members of the Advisory' Agency in the ilnplemlantation of this change in Board policy. Very tr,�,ly yours, n co,s chief Admi isttative officer RJN/,0 /Jac cc. Coat . Su om.,4" isor bees �' �' � Mels St baq 944f, County counsel STATE OF CAWOONIA—THE RESOURCES :AGENCY GEORGE' DEUR A1EJ1AN, CokrinU/ DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME' REGION ? 1701 NIMaUS ROAD, SUITE A e� n.f �Aye RANCHO CORDOVA, CAIIFORNIA 95670 URUVILLC, CALiPQRNIA ,,YY (916) 355-7020 IS8r WAR, Or SUi ERV1..Un^a APR 151987 Mr, Ed McLaughlin, Chaltman Butte County Board of Supervisors Administration Center 25 ;County CenterDrive _ Orovill:e, CA 95.965-3380 Dear Mr. McLaughlin: On December 2, 19860 representatives o, the Department of Fish and Game presented to your Board,, or regarding protection of migratory deer habitat in Butte County. At that time, we agreed to provide the Board with specific details on our recommendations and to identify areas of low deer value where development can proceed. We further agreed to refine our maps to delete such areas from designation as deer range..` We have noir completed thit3 process and have attached our final report on measUrPs neces s;ary to protect deer. It i"s our understanding the Board will take expedited' action to implement these recommendations. D0dartment representatives wilt be attending your Board's meeting on April 28th to explain our material in detail. If you have any further questions please call Jerry Mensch, Environmental. Servicns Supery sor (91.6) 355-100. sinc�r,ely, � Poe,-,.. James D MOsseesmith Regional. kanager EndlbsUtos s - s�6J SiN TO, SUSAN FIObt: VICKIL SUBJECT: EIR TO IMPLEMENT DEER MITIGATION FEES STATEMENT OF FACTS The Board p visors have requesto-d that this office prepare,anro dinance�proposal to implement door mitigation fees. Initially) it was presumed that we could use Yuba County's ordinance as a guide for setting the a0101int:s of t N fees' and adapt Tees similar in nature ISSUES PRESENTED 1, Can Butte County implement an ordinance ereat.i.tll; a fee structure for dr-�er mitigation without filing an Ealvi.ronmentai; Tmpact Report?(EIR) No., Butte County cannot implcament an ordinance creating a tee structure for deer mitigation without filing an 'EIR, 2 Ca.n Jute County request an ETR based on the Department o-1 Fish and Gant^ Deer Herd Study in Butte County'? Yes, Butte County can request an HT", based on the 'Department of Fi: h and Game Deer' Herd Study in Butte County. 3, Can the county at.oid An EIR by using a negr ti.ve dec'lkvationl No, the county cannot avoid an ETR by using a 'nega ,ilve d,eclara.ti.on,, DTSG�ISSIC�N The statutory requ.iro;eMont four rA, local EIR. is found in the CEQA tinder ;Public Resources Code ,section 211,51 which states in part "All local a.gpncies shall prepart , or CMuse to be propatU4 by e:ontraot, and cvwrti Y the completion of an EIN on any pVoject they intend to carry ort or approve which may have r `1 a. si.�,rii.f;i:cant. ei'fect on the envizonhtc:nt,,� . 4r Y The term "project" is de-fined by section _21065 of the CEQ,A "Project means thefollowing: (a) Activi.tios G'irectly unde takep by any public agency; (b) A6tiViq;.ies undertaken by u ,person Which are supported in whole or in part through contracts, grants, sans ,dies, loans, :or other farms :of assistance from one or more pt~ ie agencies," The Attorney General has addressed the question of whether this broad definition of 'Project' encompaisses the passing of an ordinance. ►� . At is 'clear that ordinances passod by 6ities, counties and local agencies are 'activities directly undertaken by any public agency' under Public Resources Code §31.005(a) and thus 'projects' within CJ�QA" �B0 Opp; Atty. Gen, 335, 388, I�, is clear, ts�alal��ha�nCoajjcicerumi*t�,gati:on �eR before creating an ordinance o- g e schedule. This rule also applies to a resolution. ''As is the case Nvi.th ar ordinance, t'ht" adoption of a, resolution is an activity directly 'undertaken by sa_ public._body,. Rence,,, It also Yulf3lls the aE,finition of proje�,t found in 21065 subdi.viisio (a) of CRnA.°'' GU Cies Atty Gen, 335, 3249. XSS, _W Cinder .Public Resources Code So,6ti,on21.1.51, an Elia :L ' ,required by a local agency when two conditions are satisfied: �s(1) It is carrying out la 'project' and (1') The project may h'a.ve a significant eyfect on the environment:' In County of %y "YortN,. 32 dal, AT�p. 3rd, 795 809; Jog Cal. I pt,r 377; the count discusses what must 'be presented to ostabli8h that the project may have It signiflaant effect 0.' ti the enviVOnttient . "in ow, Viekv, the second criterionis met by that they project may hate a significant �:fic nt tits presence of some srtbstantial t,,vident effect envirohmentally.' 2 ,.„. , • �' r ` ,'tel �7?Y.f. ,�.�::. 1w W i Malone in Inyo, (supra) the county asserted a catalog of harmful environmental effects arising froman increased pump ling of ground water There is substantial. evidence provided by the Department of Fish and Game Deer Herd Study in Butto County that an ordinance establishing a mita,gation' fee may have significant effect environmentally. Therefore, Dutte County may rely�s docuament as the basis of, its BIR,an thz. 01f the local agency finds without an initial study that the project may have a significant effect on the environment, or reaches such a conclusion after conducting an initial O',tUdY, an EIR is necessary.,, G0 ops: Atty. Gen. -335, 347: ISSUE 3 In Vi:EWw of the fact the. county ht xec.eived the report from fish and Game establishing a significant 01fe0t ori the environment, they arc: precluded from filing a negative declaration. ,A local agency cannot fulfill this duty to 'e,gamine and institute methods of ieducing a.EIR being consideredcts' and sise the he g inadequate' or - d negative declaration ;has been completed on a project whei, in fact, the undertaking may have a significant effect on the environment," Go ops. Atty. Cien, 335, 340. CONCLUSION In order for Butte County to establish a deer mitigation fee schedule, it must provide an EM It is possiblo to use the preliminary :study done by the 'Department of Fish and Game to justify the E1I2 laOca.us0 it shows there is a possibility of a 6libstctntiml impact On bhe of Vironment. t has boen the policy of the courts to lean tier the side of environment t�:onc:c fins in iMpl j mon+ ng the C��A • This i s evident in the litngttGito of the court in Count c I.n° (supra'' page 904): I(ln resolving the conflict an intetity as w must, we conclude that the llegisl.mture intended the PQA to be inter°preted in such niancaeii as to afford the f1,j`llest possible protection to the environment within the nable seopq of the statutorylanE �. easo Y COUNTY OF LASS!.1 Board of Supervisor's poom '101, cowthouso AMOK Susanvllla, Cabla(n10 00130 (9t6) 2'SY 0�i1 Supervisor John R. G-11lher September 9, 1981 Third019trict 713.260SOWS t1d. Jane Dolan J711tasvitltl\GAJ T'i4 Suplt.rvisor, nistriot 2 p\C, Do:: 1i7Q0 Chico, CA 9 a9�7 Derxr Supervisor Dolan, :I riot tlr1 tiny to you abotitt a proCamc� f bleiii taDor:s`lYottr noun t y hav 'Tho State Department of l i.sh earid pa"abletn too"' Maybe itlia jLlst We ha�rarCr � tct"r�tytrtt'it•uc k their, dne'r alld thy; antelope p S , fangs Into us- We have 'b eh liu� r erz�nc cttioa 1 l t�, ctr +�'c1 rs�rnt;i7 t .r l 1;1 and mOr, .l ty t;rononracallY, they have 't°'atterti lU1Q'd�rMr.�huaterc�ekuctlrx sOut y�tknrst This f , `I"k1 at s oto oiar county arltaually" t4ith their cxckttutes u 2-tt million dz3l.7ax°s out of Cour local c*vonomy i i5(.vc1O0nentallYr,- r All anti Game Protests every :;takYIjEjt,'tsl�.on, major r ,e� n� � a split, t ,seen, wyr do not �, d �;t rind almost er"t,t� ie�t, sl it s t,trcat, ty-kt warm WAY POOple or i'ndustary to rwo'me atrttti our r~`tat�nt,rY�-�ttrtlt;ss they (approve,, of oourse' t hUht t;00111J5 ► tattrt h�xti°�e Lte71`�tx�l?r mOLny l.on.al l�L'oi�le� tt1nnCSU 111.r�k"ea erl their pt5ticha.n andlc�x"rzpratd t`ttc xL�t t tcxttr3'�At�wn 2`t�talgsc'tso A person must: have, 640 r>.cy'os xn Ot mrxn small ranchers are coaled thv right Ut) tura on t,heit` own 1_tand. The last �;ty,.r.at� is t� i.sh rand C;atte's l�rive;t,r+ i�n.nd. btana�;ement 'PVogrratti, tahbre; 'they are giving the deer away f,c� b+: s�,ld+ Th}a /� �^e , I i h { " t w had tt LL.� el li r-R taTt�\.. People. peel any ctetl%il;t.�k that T'ish an ,rxntc� mai hcav� with t im lural, bit t touch! it is gettilig to oo a ! 1 vsmild. thintt that. �tkretvc:� tt1>t t tc- bo other co'untios s in `he} a;;f`intk�rt trat l,�f on zanorit�tkaat: weAl though this pr, oble nt Ittrx n a an t t t" is 1 X+t n o ra tl hr>r•e 1 tael;ter„t� 1t i, tc�st� importrttit t.t� ta,ttortrf i.11 i�tr back t the ttttst, ttvy* t.c� trcfiote C"CtUfit.1C!"rS Slltttt tS i tie ofC)t'tt'rc�l or*er t' i.;th and (ita1110 tlt'i) which C3t�Ce u: F the 1. you are Interet4teet in Drat tas bila 1r+ f and/oror; Mite 1 tt Ito to get �CSAC r p;leaso rontaolt me as tUt)11 tx t 11401 ,Ai, txnd other county nr,gattizatiotr': attrt�l.vc el, t C,” 'f.hnt� iu erttau h ,.. f pp , ountios and supe:r� iso,r y rt support. t trc�et"e l 1 ,7thrr air h:r Lrasmon rouht',' X11 `r" �itJt' 94 RSRy+ 94 00 w APPENDIX i ,«n.. HAMOLE i8 � roibeoorm 111 . MOS+ oli rl7 ss' . l ,_ rn �)FyC�v C +sl �sf.,f"r.w'• t •wm r, . ... rol .. ,�1*II. ,._t...F_�Sj'' ,¢. .1,. +4„yav,• ln..�UA6_'.t' l .l7t !♦},,,•,�.D Nn'.r f' INTERIOR enMUNO aaROwNcoYENCR Way HARVET UANR6'DIRMCTnOF WATER RE54URCS IHiftljrK liRM4O'CORAiHss ,rte 0 J f• 4 r �' w �f,i � 1 V,` r r ,� � � � i .• Y ! .pS1 f� _[✓ �� �f n m: r i ', M 1' a ••ts PAT tit f eel, r iro 1 � ir!fR IYI ♦"�L.�tFJ�,l�,1 -1 a { 1 '.Raltl7iw♦ ,,.,Ell r•qi ..'.•,Jwe .,. .... sa`x1 � :l4.,a.,�._ .� �^i�`I�'jjyy la t?I•t�� , 1j� i t r , = ll iI•Y_to.till i •!�• S S,NlY a \,A `S dl at , V� ,rl�•1.. • 4 A c o y y z�. "H!.t. , � 4 �,�.... �, ,et� � �, tic `" , w �• . / ' , _ ,. F 2,'W � , N 'S t " GEORGE DIUKMEJIAN,�t^O1' STAT CALIFORNIA RESOURCES AGENCY DEPARTMENT OFFISHAND GAME REGION 2 1701 NIMBUS ROAD, SUITE Ay RANCHO CORDOVA, 16) 355-7020 0 1",11 UT <T4? a" CALIFORNIA 4`67 JUL`3 Ms. ,lane Dolanr chair Board of supervisors Butte County :Administration center 25 county Center Drive otovillej CA, 95,965 _Dead Ms, Dolan: deor response to your June 3, 1987 letter recommenc�OUOn In p artme n that ' mit gation► it remains the Dep eted habitat areas be subjoct to parcels within the del mit,�gation fees. _,.: is for this recOMMondation is that even through habitat The bas past rievelc"pme"nt actiVitieo values have beOA ,degraded by p additional habitat values will be lost to the added sigrli icant ;ad such areas from deer range development. Our action in deleting designation was not intended to repres ent tYrat these areas had no valuei el habitat values h,as already occurred, since degraclai.a orc of de roach ryas presented it is better "to detle�t d:1�velnpment to these areas in order to areas for dee maintain undevelope 'rovi e for bathnr,s developmour ent and deer habitat as a comprOtnise to p protection. recommendation c fees dor future development in the-se areas Cru recomm tb,ta� package. in Liar view mitigation fees could was past of a be de osii.e in the Ccunt.v Visa anr, came fund for use possibly •scion to fund habitat i►lproveme:it prOJects for deer. by that ccmrci r habAtat host to dev(,%IOP, Such i,mprovemonts i�ou�.d thus m� ti atc. o merit; have further qucstiOns► please c.�nOno (9'16) 355n7030 If yob toleph rnviror�ml:nal 'servicesupervisr�r, Sincerely dames a. Mes1_jeromi.th �Aega.onal Manager -RpATXV-1-1' 'FFjCE COUNTY Of 13u'I' od�1TT�c 5 COUNTY CENTER DRIVE ° OfiOVILLE, CALIFORNIA 9516$-3380L (916) $30•7631 !a • MEMa;ERS 05 THE aS7ARpr a o HASISEL A. M-INTU,iiF n e .JANE DOLAN r0uyt�1 KAW [ VERCRU$E r E. , cLA1JGH1.1N MAA71NJ NfdHOLS July 8> �;�4�� LEN RULTON CHIEF ADMINIStFiATiGE 01 FiGCFi Butte Co, Ptahn ng C;gMM lo,; Lean ttontgamery, Chief Deputy county counsel JUL 16 1987 From ' Ma� J. Nichols, Chief Administrative Officer Oroviila, Calitarnia rtir Subject; beer-Mitigatioh hed letter was discussed by the Board Stheri ,ors ssuest The attac Based upon this letter, and o their meeting of Ju1,v 7 , the Board of Supervisors continued discussion of the deer mitigation to the August, i8 meeting. receive a written report from, you prior The Board would l i k to Uesti ons to the August 78 meeting to the following q 1. Can the Board of Supervisors legally levy and collect mitigation collected as part 1 advising s? In the past:;. some Board members recall County Counsel �f a total fee be coll total that the mitigation fees could only fencing f property* r s _. control ordnance and mitigation package, i.(, dog other Board members recall that the mitigat�nn�eetc adopted a policy on not because the Boardevntcan vthe Board legally 51 vy and col !Oct mitigation the fees-, In any fees?could the Z, If Butte bounty were to consider mi tigat,ion fees, Board of 5u0orvi sor$ co►ltrol i'ti the fees `r? { A4" Martin J. t chol s Chief Administrative Officer �idN/iip/�►s incl cc, /Bettye Kircher, Director of Planning t3uths Co, l'lanhing Ccmrnlr JUL 1 5 1987'' 'Crovalet C:aufanlA Admini strati ve 01` ice July 8, 1987 To: Bettye Kircher, Director of Planning From:;.. Mike P,Yeatt, Deputy Administrative Officer Dee Nerd M';ti-gation, subject r ervi sets canti Hued further di scussi onf the regular "'agenda. As you are aware the Board of Sup re aration Por that. meeting deet, Mi ti gati'an + measure , `'Counsell 'An-'- p p n of g of County Quest�ans we°wit-1 be Askin the �... are.. levy and collect mitigation ervisors legally County counsel that 1, Can the Board of Sup total package, ,e,. Evidently . 1 n the past the Board was adav�t e of b a 'eve Caunsel ` s fe" . Evi the fees O thout being p t Board belie could not levy Other members of he ted a policy they and dog ordinance. �°Pricyng an the. fact that the Board had not yet adopted opinion was based of collecting the fees, ',,',ion fees, could e Board visors Were to consider m�tiga• If the of Super � i;he fees)' ery Butte County control it ( �: Sup isorsMeet' nand�there to colistehing to the tip e of the 'soard o. to State i Game to extend an invitatia� There'Nre � we are not extPhdi n e Was- no specific direction of August 18. state to attehd the meeting erson11e1 u think i t wool be ad�1i sab1 e to have tide such an 'invitation if you at the Meeting please advise Klie Deputy A m o strati ve Officer MP'Ivs JANE DOLAN, Chair 5gcond Dlstrlal HASKEL A. MONTURF pitsDislrF4F SUPE °°°�;■r■n■y�+ KAREN VERCRUSE �°°° R S ThFPd District .cP . - MBOAR'D C] F' SUPER V I S C� ED )A,;LALIOHLIN ■W, FouNltDistrict ADMINISTFIA-rION CENTER CALIFORNIA 95965 CENT1 R qR. — OROVILLE, LEN FULTON °° G:• 25 COUNTY 5367294 Fiith'DFstcict •'�°'r QOUl4;'TELEPHONE; (916) Juno 24, 1,91.17 0010 0o, Planning Cook. tir, t'hn D, Christofferson JUL 16 1987 GDA Enineering and Surveying 220 Grand Avenue Prov llo, Cali#ornla, oroville, CA 95965 Dear Mr. Christofferson Ike; Subdivisions/peer Herd+'Conflict Your dune 4 letter concerning The Board of Supervisors is in reoeip t of Y ot�r, cl lent the State Department of Fish and Game's comments with regard to y (hlcQueeh-Smith) project, be a sour�:e of caitmel�: an future Your letter, and others, ��i11 surely the deer herd issue discussions before the Board of Supervisors regarding s aware the Board his directed a letterta the ,tate concerning As you areresponse, have Yet to receive a mitigation fees; and we h, the doer herd is$ue,_►,ilea�e find attached In a related matter concerning `suns f ram tr I r' . � ved from the State bepartlrtMnt of Fish and Game ti,rherein a loiter recently rcei control ordinance prove_ they apparently are removing artier osition, the n e_ p `Thank you for recent inputs or trul y� you Jane' Ool an > hair Butte County Board of Supervisors JD/MP/Vs Crcl cG . 'Bettye Kircher, Director of Ilfianning John Merndonsa, public. Works STATE OF CALIFORNIA—THE RESOURCES, AGENCY GEORGE pEUKMEAAN, Governor DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME" rming Butte Co.P1a R40ION 2 1701 NlMsus ROAD, SUITE A JUN 2 51987 RANCHO CORDOVA, CALIFORNIA 95674 (916) 355-7020 Qrvville� �IfO� JUN 1 21987 Ms. . Jane Dolan, Charpers-�n ea No ,Butte county Board of superviesors 25 County Center Drive otoville, CA 95965 Dear Ms. Dolan The Department Of Fish and (lame provided the Butte County Board of Supervisors with two reports (December 7r 1986 and April 15j 1987) regarding migratory deer in Butte County. Since that timer we have reevaluated our previous recommendations regarding a dog control ordinance. Existing State law preempts the area of dog control for protection of w-i-ldlife. Therefore, we withdraw our request that the county adopt a dog control ordinance, x appreciate the Board's cooperation in working with us to resolve- the subdivision/deer issue in the county. Hopafullyr this issue will be resolved soon. If the Department can be of further assistance, please contact Je:ryy Mensch, Enrtronmental Services Supervisar, telephone, (91.5) 155-7030. S].t1C�'.rely t- es D. Messer mil egional Manager, J.ANI? DOLAN, Dolt aueond Metrial HASKGL. A, MCINTURF .��•s�u••oy4 First District •••Cv 3UP�+� �i• ,. , r ,• KAREN VERCRUSG ••¢Q'' 'eCt+ Third D151110 M. BOA OF SURERVISORS co McLAUaHLIN tlt` Fourth 0.1airiat ADMINISTRATION CENTER ''•.............. ��' 25 COUNTY CENTER;pR, — OR0I+ILL ,CALIFORNIA 95965 LEN FULTON •�•� K..'�TELEPHONE: (914) 530•:',224: FlitfrUiatriri June 3, 1987 Buff* Co. Manning Comm, James D. Messersmith, Regional Manager ,JUN 8 1987 Region '2 1D�o�tllo� C,iGf�rai State Department of Fish and Game 1701 Nimbus Road, Suite A Rancho Cordova; CA 95670 Dear Mr, Messersmth: Re: Deer Herd tssue Butte Co ,ty On April ?8, 1987, representatives of the State Department nt of Fish and Game made a identified on reasp the that �aree suiunty table ble for Of Supervisors which i dentY, As part of tl►i s discussion, the development within the county.eral Board of Supervisors made a motion ro ainitiatian eilandgezones, abut amet)dment as recommendedi excluding .p all owing for deer migration n i c� n and ithconcept ei fencing Board o mitigation to both a dog control o measures, using language that has o mitsionrward and goarnuof Supervisors hearing processes at the Planning C mm level. Recently, the Board of Supervisors has been approached by the development community asking fortheestablishment into to»itigatentheterim rfeer trust fund in which developers tout pay migration concerns. From our April 28th discussion,p the ratod n of Supervisors, in initiating a general plan h Thos ar n ena8;1't�eady its concern over fees as a, mitigation meas r deemed lost. The Botl is still not inclined to initiate fees in these instances: Please be advised that the Board of Supervisors is ready to proceed inti making decisions regarding proposed tentative `pa!"" and tentative subdivision maps, based upon the large identified