The NCCP

   The California Department of Fish and Game Created the Natural Comunities Consevation Plan or NCCP, which are plans designed for "the conservation of natural communities that takes an ecosystem approach and encourages cooperation between private and government interests". The NCCP is one of the best protections we have, right now, for preserving the remaining open spaces that the natual ecosystem of PV needs to survive. (The Audubon Society has 2 very informative and well written articles in their newletter; 1 and 2)

   According to a U.S. Geological Survey, California has lost 99% of its native grasslands and 80% of its coastal wetlands. Coastal Sage Scrub (CSS) has been reduced by 90% and the Palos Verdes Penninsula has some of the only remaining CSS habitat left in Los Angeles County.

   The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is currently deciding how the local NCCP will be implemented. The decisions being made now will determine what will be developed over the next 20 years and far beyond. It is important that anyone who cares about the future of the natural environment, here in Palos Verdes, let the R.P.V city council know how you want the next 20 years to go. The remaining Penninsula cities, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, and Palos Verdes Estates have been invited to participate.

NCCP and Prop.12

by Jim Knight

Despite the City of Rancho Palos Verdes voting down to support Prop. 12 and 13 ($1.2 billion dedicated to preserving open space in California) before the March primary, the measures passed anyway. Within these propositions voted in we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to set aside a significant amount of contiguous habitat in the Palos Verdes Penninsula. $150 million are earmarked for the Southern California NCCP Program, with an additional $150 million potentially available to habitat conservation programs in the region. The RPV city council in its April 4, 2000 meeting has authorized $15,000 (1/2 paid by matching funds) for appraisals to acquire:

1) Upper Filiorum which is owned by York Long Point Associates. This parcel is approximately 228 acres in size and is located generally between Plumtree Road and Ocean Terrace Drive. The parcel contains approximately 91 acres of coastal sage scrub (CSS) habitat, 106 acres of grassland, 20 acres of other natural vegetation and 11 acres of non-vegetation. Based on the City's latest draft version of the proposed NCCP preserve design, approximately 225 acres (98%) of this parcel is proposed to be included in the City's NCCP preserve.

2) Portuguese Bend Landslide Area which is owned by Palos Verdes Land Holdings Company (Hon). This parcel is approximately 422 acres in size and is located generally between the terminus of Crenshaw Boulevard and Palos Verdes Drive South. The parcel contains approximately 192 acres of coastal sage scrub (CSS) habitat, 149 acres of grassland, 71 acres of other natural vegetation and 10 acres of non-vegetation. Based on the City's latest draft version of the proposed NCCP preserve design, approximately 307 acres (73%) of this parcel is proposed to be included in the City's NCCP preserve

In addition, the city council's appraisal will include Parcel 4, roughly between upper Barkentine Rd. and Ocean Terrace Dr.. It is not known why the lower Filiorum was not included in the appraisal process as most of it is not geologically stable enough to build on anyway. Both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and CA Dept. of Fish and Game in a Sept. 7, 1999 letter to RPV Planning Director Joel Rojas expressed their concern that the Lower Filiorum area is a key linkage/connector between the coast and upper Filiorum and that development should be directed away from this area. They stipulated that an assured, functional connection needs to be maintained through this area.

Since the appraisal information is necessary for the implementation of the City's NCCP, the cost of the appraisal will be paid from the City's current NCCP budget. The City's current budget contains a remaining balance of approximately $200,000 for completion of the NCCP Program. In addition, the City has been awarded $375,000 thus far in federal (matching) grants for completion of the City's NCCP. As a result, the City's actual cost of the appraisal would be reduced by 50%, or approximately $7,500.

For more information about some of the problems with the NCCP and the "No Surprises" clause CLICK HERE.

Next page, Long Point (old MarineLand site)

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