(A) The purpose of these procedures is to provide regulations for the development, content, review and approval of a required wetland restoration plan in conjunction with permitted wetland fills.
(B) These procedures shall apply to all wetland restoration as required by Policy Nos. 11, 12, and 6a-e of the Oxnard coastal land use plan.
(1) Whenever wetland restoration is required by the Oxnard coastal land use plan, a tentative wetland restoration plan shall be submitted to the development services department along with the required permit application for the related wetland fill. The development services department shall not accept the tentative restoration plan for review if the plan does not comply with the form, information analysis, and other requirements for the content of a tentative restoration plan.
(2) The restoration plan shall include a detailed description that includes provisions for restoration to at least the minimum required standards of the Oxnard coastal land use plan and permanent protection of the restoration area. The restoration plan shall also include a description of how the restoration project will provide equal or greater biological productivity in the area to be filled.
(a) A complete inventory and assessment of plant, fish and wildlife habitat values which would be affected by the filling, including:
(i) Any changes in plant and animal natural species diversity abundance, any composition and an assessment of how, if at all, these affect the long-term stability of the ecosystem (i.e., natural species, diversity, abundance and composition are generally unchanged as a result of the project);
(ii) Any impacts to rare or endangered species or their habitat;
(iii) Any impacts to a species or habitat essential to the natural biological functioning of the wetland or the estuary ecosystem; and
(iv) Any significant reduction to consumptive values, such as fishing, hunting, clamming, or nonconsumptive values, such as water quality and research opportunity values of the wetland or estuary ecosystem.
(b) A clear statement of the habitat restoration and management proposed, including how their plan will compensate for the habitat damage described in the resource inventory section in conformance with the required standards and to include development of specific biological criteria for the restoration site and design.
(c) A recommended restoration site and project design, including maps at a scale no greater than one inch = 200 feet.
(d) A preliminary proposal for the long-term management of the restoration project.
(3) Restoration shall occur simultaneously with project construction and be completed prior to commencement of operation of the proposed project.
(4) The commission shall review the tentative restoration plan in conjunction with the required coastal development permit.
(5) The applicant shall prepare a final restoration plan based on the city's approved or conditionally approved tentative restoration plan. In addition, the final plan shall include all of the following:
(a) A complete statement of the restoration objectives.
(b) A complete description of the restoration site including a map of the project site, at a mapping scale no smaller than one inch = 200 feet.
(c) A complete restoration description including scaled, detailed diagrams, and including:
(i) A grading plan depicting any alterations to topography, natural landforms, and drainage channels and areas where existing fill and debris will be removed;
(ii) A vegetation plan including a list of plant species to be eliminated and a list of plant species to be introduced on the restoration site, and describing the methods and proposing a schedule for eliminating and establishing vegetation;
(iii) A clear statement of when restoration work will commence and be completed;
(iv) Provisions of public access, where appropriate, for public recreation, scientific, and educational use; and
(v) Other measures necessary to achieve restoration objectives and to protect the restoration site from adverse impacts of adjacent development and use.
(vi) Provisions for mosquito and vector control.
(vii) Provisions for long-term management of the restoration site. The final plan shall describe the applicant's responsibilities in assuring that the project will be successful, including monitoring and evaluation, and that the restored area is maintained consistent with the plan's restoration objectives.
(viii) Provisions for making repairs or modifications to the restoration site necessary to meet the project objectives. The final plan shall provide either that the restoration site shall be owned in fee by an agency or nonprofit organization having among its principal purposes the conservation and management of fish and wildlife, or other habitat resources, or shall provide for dedication of an open space or conservation easement over the restoration area to such an agency or organization.
(6) Review and approval of final restoration plan:
(a) Following staff review of the final restoration plan for conformance with the approved or conditionally approved tentative restoration plan, the director shall determine if the final restoration plan is in substantial conformance with the approved tentative plan.
(b) The director shall give notice of final restoration plan submittal in accordance with the requirements of section 17-58.
(c) The director's determination that the final restoration plan is in substantial conformance with the approved tentative plan, may be appealed pursuant to the appeals procedures of section 17-58.
(`64 Code, Sec. 37-3.3.3)
(Ord. No. 2034, 2095, 2124, 2716)