Biological Resources Assessment Needs

Biological Resources Assessment:

What is Needed for a Local ADP or CCP Submittal

 

Below is further explanation from county staff of the minimum submittal requirements related to these projects.

Applies to:

  • Commercial Cannabis Permit (CCP)
  • Cannabis Administrative Development Permit (ADP)

Application Requirements:

  • Applicants must identify all biological and environmental resources in and around the project area by showing them on the site plans and with photos
  • This can be done by the applicant, and does NOT require a biologist for application submittal

Resources & Setbacks (see Land Use and Development Code L-II 4.3 for additional information):

  • landmark trees: oak trees that are 36+ inches at diameter breast height (4’6”) – all disturbance must be outside the dripline
  • landmark oak groves: oak groves with a 33+% canopy closure – all disturbance must be outside the dripline
  • watercourses: ponds, streams, creeks, etc. – 100 foot setback, seasonal streams may have a 50 foot setback
  • wetlands: 100 foot setback
  • canals: 100 foot setback on the uphill side; 20 foot setback on the downhill side of the canal

❖ MANAGEMENT PLAN: If avoidance of these resources and setbacks is not possible, a Management Plan prepared by a Pre-Qualified Biological Consultant would be required

  • floodplains: 100 foot setback from the 100-year floodplain (projects near the floodplain and the setback may require a professional engineer to verify the project location)

❖ MANAGEMENT PLAN: If the setback cannot be avoided, a Management Plan prepared

by a registered professional engineer would be required

  • steep slopes: slopes with a grade of 30+% – no disturbance shall occur in this area, other than trenching for utilities (topographic surveys by a licensed Land Surveyor or a Civil Engineer would be required if there is disturbance in an area with 10+% grade)

❖ MANAGEMENT PLAN: If steep slopes cannot be avoided, a Management Plan prepared by a licensed geotechnical or civil engineer, engineering geologist, or certified soil erosion control specialist would be required

  • farmland: land mapped as Farmland of Local Importance, Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance by the California Department of Conservation (CDOC)- all accessory structures and improvements shall be located outside of farmland

❖ MANAGEMENT PLAN: If avoidance is not possible, a Management Plan prepared by a Registered Professional Forester, a certified rangeland manager, or an USDA/NRCS- certified conservation planner would be required

Management Plan applications and the Pre-Qualified Biological Consultant List can be found at: https://www.mynevadacounty.com/826/Land-Use-Applications-Forms

If avoidance is not possible and if a project encroaches into a resource or the required setback, a Management Plan prepared by a Pre-Qualified Biological Consultant shall be required.