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Collaboration is Key to Proposed Habitat Plan


The Merced County Board of Supervisors voted on December 18, 2001, to begin developing a plan that, if approved, could both protect eastern Merced County’s important natural resources, agricultural lands and open space, and streamline permitting processes that support development and agricultural productivity.

Development of the Natural Community Conservation Plan (NCCP) and Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) will begin in early January 2002, with a goal of completion in late 2004.

Merced Vernal Pool - This is an example of the vernal pools found throughout eastern Merced County.
 Merced Vernal Pool 		Crop irrigation devices like this one can be found throughout eastern Merced County.
 Crop Irrigation 		Doublehorn Calicoflower (Downingia bicornuta) is commonly found in the vernal pools of Eastern Merced County. Its blooming period is from April to July. Photo © Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary`s College.
 Doublehorn Calicoflower

“The County is committed to a collaborative, systematic approach,” said Bob Smith, head of the NCCP/HCP planning team and Planning Director for the Merced County’s UC Development office. “Our goal is to protect eastern Merced County’s ecologically significant resources, open space and agricultural lands; to support the County’s General Plan; to enhance the economic vitality of the County and to ensure that development under the General Plan complies with federal and state environmental laws.”

Related activities include developing an inventory of eastern Merced County’s plants and animals protected by law, strategies to preserve those species, financing options and the final environmental impact analysis. Public participation will be an essential element of the Plan development. That participation will include “stakeholder” and advisory committees formed to advise the Board, County staff and its consultants, as well as outreach and education to the community at large. The interests of farmers and ranchers, business and development interests, community interest groups, environmental groups, local government and special districts, and state and federal agencies will be discussed throughout the planning process.

Fremont’s Goldfields (Lasthenia fremontii) is a plant commonly found in the vernal pools of Eastern Merced County. Its blooming period is from April to May. Photo © Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary`s College.
 Fremont’s Goldfields 		The dairy industry is very important to Merced County. As a result, adequate rangeland for grazing cattle is also an important resource.
 The Dairy Industry 		Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp (Branchinecta lynchi) is a federally threatened crustacean. Vernal fairy shrimp are often found in grass or mud-bottomed pools with clear to tea-colored water, in basalt flow depression pools on unplowed grasslands, and in water pooled in sandstone outcrops.
 Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp

The planning area is eastern Merced County from Highway 99 to the Stanislaus, Mariposa and Madera County lines, and includes the unincorporated areas. Additionally, incorporated areas within cities in the Plan area that choose to participate in the NCCP/HCP planning process may be included.

The development of the plan reflects a collaborative agreement among the County of Merced, California Department of Fish and Game, US Fish and Wildlife Service and the University of California, Merced that was adopted by the Board of Supervisors in May 2001.

Vernal Pool Tadpole Shrimp (Lepidurus packardi) is a federally endangered crustacean. This species occurs in a wide variety of seasonal habitats including vernal pools, clay flats, alkaline pools, ephemeral stock tanks, road side ditches, and road ruts.
 Vernal Pool Tadpole Shrimp 		Tomatoes are a frequently rotated crop in eastern Merced County.
 Tomatoes 		California Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma californiense) is a candidate for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act. This salamander lives in annual grasslands and relies on vernal pools or other seasonal water sources for breeding.
 California Tiger Salamander

The County Board of Supervisors awarded the contract for the plan and related tasks to EIP Associates, an environmental and planning consulting firm with offices in Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

For more information about the project, call the County’s NCCP/HCP planning team at 209-725-3700 or contact the project web site at www.mercednccp-hcp.net

Western Pond Turtle (Clemmys marmorata) is a species of concern with the California Department of Fish and Game. This turtle inhabits ponds, marshes, rivers, streams, and irrigation ditches. It needs basking sites, and suitable upland habitat for egg laying.
 Western Pond Turtle 		Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is a Department of Fish and Game sensitive species. This bird is common in shallow estuaries and fresh and saline emergent wetlands.
 Great Blue Heron 		Corn is frequently used as a rotational crop in eastern Merced County.
 Corn Harvesting


NCCP Project Timeline


NCCP Project Flowchart

The flora and fauna shown above are representative of what could be found throughout eastern Merced County. Succulent owl's clover, vernal pool fairy shrimp, vernal pool tadpole shrimp, and valley elderberry longhorn beetle are currently listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. Succulent owl's clover and Swainson's hawk are also listed under the California Endangered Species Act.