The County of San Benito (County) has initiated the development of a multi-species and multi-phased county-wide joint Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and Natural Community Conservation Plan (NCCP) called the San Benito County Conservation Plan (SBCCP). Plan development is being led by the County Resource Management Agency (RMA), with technical assistance from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The development of the SBCCP is directed by the County General Plan 2035 which includes a policy identified under NCR-A: Habitat Conservation Plan; "The County shall consider working with the State and Federal agencies to prepare and adopt a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for listed and candidate species in San Benito County." 

The County Board of Supervisors (BOS) adopted Ordinance 541 on August 1, 1988 establishing a habitat conservation plan study area and setting interim mitigation fees. Since 1988, the County has been collecting fees from Ordinance 541 in preparation for development of an HCP. On February 23, 2021, the BOS gave RMA formal approval to proceed with an application to the USFWS Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund Conservation Planning Assistance Grant Program (referred to as a Section 6 grant). In July 2021, the County was awarded a Fiscal Year 2021 Section 6 Planning Assistance grant for $976,100. The County has committed matching funds  of $342,954 from fees already collected under Ordinance 541, for a total of $1,319,054. These funds will support the first phase of development of the SBCCP. 

County residents can expect to see that this effort will benefit the whole community. Some of the positive outcomes the County will see from the SBCCP include:

• Reduced regulatory timeline and cost for permitting take of endangered species
• Increased local control of the permitting process
• Increased certainty of project timelines and associated costs
• More meaningful mitigation and conservation outcomes for listed and sensitive species
• Creation of new open space and recreational areas
• This regional landscape approach benefits watersheds and protects scenic vistas
• Promotes the long-term viability of the County’s agricultural economy
• Implements local policies
• Eligibility for HCP Land Acquisition Grants, as well as other conservation grants

As part of the County's planning and development for the SBCCP there will be extensive public outreach to ensure that residents and stakeholders are involved. We look forward to hearing your thoughts, interests, and concerns. 

SBCCP Map