On January 23, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officially approved funding for a six-county Aquatic Resources Inventory. This funding will be utilized in three steps:inventory existing data, and assess and address gaps, with an emphasis placed on supporting habitat conservation plans and other activities that enhance permit streamlining; categorize data for rapid assessment of aquatic resources, establishing a rational appreciation of the resources; and a qualification process for the resources, allowing for a more transparent and less-restrictive mitigation process.
The first step will be to assess our regional database. The SACOG Board wants to avoid duplication of efforts. To do this, SACOG will enlist the existing work of the Corps and their federal partners, local government partners, environmental consultants, private landowners and environmentalists. Beyond these sources, SACOG will partner with Congressional Research Services and the Library of Congress to aide in the procurement of the best available data.
At the same time, SACOG will begin meeting with federal agency and habitat conservation plan stakeholders within the six-county region. Contractors will be sought to assist in the other two steps.
The Corps has committed significant oversight, support and interest in this effort. Corps Secretary Woodley, a strong proponent of this partnership, will stay on in his post for a least a year, and sees it both as part of his legacy as well as a model that could be used across the country. The U.S. EPA has recently expressed great interest in this project as well and may be an additional funding partner.