To: Board of Supervisors
From: John Kopchik, Director, Conservation and Development
Report Title: 2025 Priority Conservation Areas Nominations
?Recommendation of the County Administrator ? Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. ADOPT Resolution No. 2025-xxx endorsing the nomination of four new Priority Conservation Areas (Tassajara Valley Preservation and Agricultural Enhancement Area, Briones Hills Agricultural Preserve Area, Iron Horse Trail Corridor, Marsh Creek Trail Corridor), and amendments to two existing Priority Conservation Areas (East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan, Contra Costa County Agricultural Core) to be considered by the Association of Bay Area Governments.
2. AUTHORIZE the Conservation and Development Department Director or designee submit the required Priority Conservation Area nomination application and supporting materials to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission/Association of Bay Area Governments (MTC/ABAG).
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact on the General Fund. Unincorporated County territory with approved MTC/ABAG Priority Conservation Area designations would be eligible for future Priority Conservation Area grant opportunities.
BACKGROUND:
Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs) are designated geographic areas identified to support the Bay Area's regional conservation, resilience, and sustainability objectives. First introduced in 2007, the PCA program was updated in 2024 to ensure improved alignment with regional planning and funding opportunities. PCAs are characterized as one or more types:
* Natural Lands
* Agricultural & Working Lands
* Urban Greening
* Recreation
* Climate Adaptation (must overlap with one other PCA type)
The PCA designation encourages the preservation or enhancement of areas with high conservation values or needs. The PCA nomination process is locally driven, allowing jurisdictions to identify and propose areas of regional significance ba...
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