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Community Development Agency, Development Services Division, recommending the Board consider an amendment to the Lakehills and Southpointe Community Wildfire Protection Plan. Staff recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Agree to Amendment A of the Lakehills and Southpointe Community Wildfire Protection Plan (August 31, 2015); and
2) Authorize the Chair to sign said Amendment A to the referenced Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
FUNDING: N/A
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Community Development Agency (CDA), Development Services Division (DSD), recommends the Board agree to Amendment A of the Lakehills and Southpointe Community Wildfire Protection Plan dated August 31, 2015.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP) are described in the Federal Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003. The plans are intended to be developed collaboratively by wildland fire organizations, land managers, and policy making officials representing local, state and federal agencies. The plans are intended to serve as a roadmap for pre-fire management plans to reduce potential wildfire losses.
The added benefit from a CWPP is to receive priority for Federal and State funding and potentially support financial assistance for implementation of the plans.
The Lakehills Estates and Southpointe CWPP was prepared in 2014. The amendment is for the inclusion of nine large lots east of Southpointe that are accessed through and contiguous to Southpointe. These lots were not included in the original CWPP, but are a logical addition to the CWPP due to their location and common fuel type. The amendment also includes recommendations for fuel treatment to provide added fire protection to the communities of Southpointe and Lakehills Estates.
The Healthy Forest Restoration Act states that a CWPP should be "agreed to" by the local government. The CDA DSD serves as the primary point of contact for CWPP coordination.
The CDA DSD has reviewed the amendment to the Lakehills and Southpointe CWPP and finds that the CWPP is consistent with the General Plan, the County Multi-jurisdictional local hazard mitigation plan, and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
The CWPPs are consistent with the General Plan because they are consistent with:
• Goal 6.1: Coordination: - "A coordinated approach to hazard and disaster response planning."
• Goal 6.2: Fire Hazards - "Minimize fire hazards and risks in both wildland and developed areas."
• Policy 6.2.1.2: "Coordinate with the local Fire Safe Councils, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and federal and state agencies having land use jurisdiction in El Dorado County in the development of a countywide fuels management strategy."
• Policy 6.2.4.2: "The County shall cooperate with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the local fire protection districts to identify opportunities for fuel breaks in zones of high and very high fire hazard either prior to or as a component of project review."
The CWPP is consistent with the Wildfire Protection Plan within the County Multi-jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Wildfire Protection Plan encourages the development of community based Fire Safe Councils, provides the repository for all CWPPs, sets a standard format for CWPPs, and list communities for consideration in preparation of CWPPs. The Lakehills and Southpointe CWPP meets the standards of the County Wildfire Protection Plan.
The CWPP is not subject to further CEQA review because it is not a "project" according to CEQA, but planning document only. Acceptance of a plan does not have the potential for resulting in environmental impacts. Subsequent activities may have an impact and will be subject to further environmental review.
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Chief Administrative Office recommends moving staff's recommendations.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no Fiscal Impact or Change to Net County Cost associated with agreeing to Amendment A of the Lakehills and Southpointe Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk to obtain the Chair's signature on Amendment A of the Lakehills and Southpointe Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
2) The Clerk to send original of said said Amendment A to the referenced Community Wildfire Protection Plan to Development Services Division.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Roger Trout, Development Services Division Director
Community Development Agency