Economic & Planning Systems
Economic Analysis of Natomas Basin HCP
Sacramento, CA
The Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan (NBHCP) addressed the potential for development of 17,500 acres within the 53,000+ acre interior of the Natomas Basin and the impacts it would have on wildlife habitat. For the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency, EPS conducted an economic analysis to determine if mitigation fees and on-going revenues from NBHCP would be sufficient to fund land acquisition and maintenance costs for the restoration and enhancement of habitat for the preservation and proliferation of the giant garter snake and other species. This information was used toward the approval of a Section 10(a) Permit. EPS found that (1) mitigation fees were adequate but required adjustment mechanisms to respond to cost changes; and (2) the revenue-generating activities of rice cultivation and waterfowl hunting were necessary to fund the operations and maintenance of acquired land and provide the greatest assurance for the long-term viability of the NBHCP. EPS updated the fees in subsequent years to account for increasing land acquisition cost estimates and higher than previously estimated restoration and enhancement costs. The fee update was adopted by the City of Sacramento in September 2000.
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