|
Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and Natural Communities Conservation Plan (NCCP)
MRC is preparing an 80 year habitat and natural communities conservation plan developed by company professionals, government agencies and public participation to provide species-specific protection measures and monitoring for rare plants and threatened or endangered animals as well as natural communities on MRC lands. For a list of species addressed in the plan, see the Wildlife Species List.
By including a NCCP with the HCP, MRC has addressed the need to maintain and enhance natural communities on the property. A natural community is an integrated group of species - plant, animal, fungal, and microorganism that inhabits a given area often identified by its principal vegetation type. These communities include coastal redwood and Douglas-fir forest, mixed evergreen forest, riparian forest, oak woodlands and natural grasslands, and pygmy forests. This plan also covers rare, threatened or endangered plant species through pre-operational surveys, conservation measures and post-operational monitoring.
A team of scientists assembled in mid-2003 to provide an independent scientific review related to the HCP and the NCCP. The team was tasked to provide insight, information, and review pertaining to scientific issues of conservation planning and implementation. Please download the
Scientific Panel Review of Conservation Planning for the NCCP and HCP (PDF* 512k) for additional information.
Program Timberland Environmental Impact Report (PTEIR)
The PTEIR is targeted to cover management practices related to long term conservation on MRC lands and sustainable timber harvesting. The report will address the larger issue of cumulative impacts on a landscape level rather than by the individual timber harvest plan level. The PTEIR is comprised of the EIS/EIR and the Timber Management Plan (TMP) which takes into consideration the HCP/NCCP, increasing conifer tree inventory and sustained yield over time, and Forest Stewardship Council guidelines.
Long-term Streambed Alteration Agreement (LTSAA)
A long-term Streambed Alteration Agreement between MRC and the California Department of Fish and Game will establish special notification requirements and conservation measures that will apply whenever MRC's activities will modify the bed, bank, or channel of a stream or river. This agreement will help ensure the continued health and vitality of aquatic habitat on MRC land.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
A Memorandum of Understanding between MRC and the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (NCRWQCB) will establish a role for the board in the implementation of the HCP/NCCP and Timber Management Plan (TMP.) This plan will provide the basis for MRC ownership-wide waste discharge permit and a total maximum daily load (TMDL) implementation plan.
Government Partners in the Planning Process
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service
- National Marine Fisheries Service
- California Department of Fish and Game
- California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
- Northcoast Regional Water Quality Control Board
- California Geological Survey
To learn more about various government acts and legislation related to these processes, please see Related Legislation and Regulations.
Through this plan, MRC is following its founding principle that a timber company can set high standards of environmental stewardship and operate a successful business.
Back to Long Term Sustainable Forest Management Plan
• back to top •
|
|
|
