Chapter 19.24 — SIGNIFICANT HABITATS

The purpose of these provisions is to protect, preserve and enhance the significant biological habitats, plants and wildlife within the city, consistent with the American Canyon general plan.

(Ord. 2001-02 § 1, 2001.)

These provisions shall apply to the following areas:

(A) Riparian corridors, coastal saltmarsh, mixed hardwood forest, and oak savannah designated on published environmental maps and the generalized sensitivity maps of the American Canyon general plan;

(B) Potential vernal pools designated on the generalized sensitivity maps in the general plan;

(C) Wetlands, as defined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

(Ord. 2001-02 § 1, 2001.)

(A) Applications for development that may impact any of the habitat areas contained in this chapter shall be accompanied by sufficient technical background data to enable an adequate assessment of the potential for impacts on these resources, and possible measures to reduce any identifiable impacts.

(B) In instances where the potential for significant impacts exists, a biological assessment report prepared by a qualified professional who is selected by the city shall be prepared.

(Ord. 2001-02 § 1, 2001.)

(A) Permitted Uses. Uses within riparian corridors shall be limited to the following:

• (1) Education and research, excluding buildings and other structures;

• (2) Passive (nonmotorized) recreation, where not in conflict with the biological integrity of the riparian corridor;

• (3) Trails and scenic overlooks on public lands;

• (4) Fish and wildlife management activities;

• (5) Necessary water supply projects;

(6) Resource-consumptive uses as provided for in the Fish and Game Code and Title 14 of the California Administrative Code;

• (7) Flood control projects where no other methods are available to protect the public safety;

• (8) Bridges when supports are not in significant conflict with riparian resources;

• (9) Underground utilities.

(B) Protective Measures. Development and grading that alters the biological integrity of a riparian corridor shall be prohibited unless no feasible alternative exists and the damaged habitat is replaced with habitat of equivalent value. Development that is permitted within riparian corridors shall:

• (1) Minimize the removal of vegetation, erosion, sedimentation, and runoff;

• (2) Provide for sufficient passage of native and anadromous fish;

• (3) Minimize wastewater discharges and entrapment;

• (4) Prevent groundwater depletion or substantial interference with surface and subsurface flows;

• (5) Minimize the channelization of streams and other watercourses;

(6) Provide habitat linkages (wildlife corridors) to adjacent open spaces, where appropriate and feasible;

(7) Use fences, walls, vegetative cover, additional setbacks, or other measures to adequately buffer habitat areas, linkages, or corridors from the built environment;

(8) Locate and design roads and utilities to avoid conflicts with biological resources, habitat areas, linkages, or corridors, where feasible;

(9) Utilize appropriate open space or conservation easements in order to protect sensitive species or their habitats.

(Ord. 2001-02 § 1, 2001.)

(A) Development in wetland areas and areas of existing or potential vernal pools shall be designed and sited to preserve such areas in their natural condition, and all reasonable measures shall be taken to avoid significant impacts, including the retention of sufficient natural space, unless these actions result in an unfeasible project, in which case habitat shall be replaced in accordance with the natural resources element of the general plan.

(B) Development in these areas shall be referred to the Army Corps of Engineers, the California Department of Fish and Game, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service when appropriate for review and necessary approvals.

(Ord. 2001-02 § 1, 2001.)

Development of areas that encompass designated oak savannah, mixed hardwood forest, and coastal saltmarsh areas shall:

(A) Maintain a buffer from the edge of a designated zone as may be recommended by a biological assessment report;

(B) Maintain connectivity to surrounding habitats, where they exist;

(C) Limit public access in areas where damage to habitat may occur.

(Ord. 2001-02 § 1, 2001.)