RFP P2580001 Land Management Plans - Batiquitos Lagoon Ecological Reserve and French Valley Wildlife Area

The purpose of this Agreement is to retain environmental planning consultant services to support CDFW¿s development of Land Management Plans, including CEQA compliance. The Contractor will guide and complete the land management planning process for two (2) plans for CDFW owned lands: Batiquitos Lagoon Ecological Reserve and French Valley Wildlife Area. The planning process will require assisting with and facilitating meetings and workshops with CDFW staff, conducting inventory surveys, writing the Land Management Plan document per CDFW standards (Exhibit A, Attachment 2), writing the CEQA document, facilitating meetings for the public and other interested parties (i.e. stakeholders), participating in tribal consultation, and responding to CEQA document comments. A Land Management Plan (LMP) is the culmination of a process which consists of the Resource Inventory, Land Management Plan, and CEQA document. Throughout the planning process, diverse perspectives are brought together from within CDFW as well as external voices such as tribes, partners, other interested parties, and the general public. The inclusion of coordination and public engagement in the LMP process is intended to improve the planning process through the incorporation of diverse ideas and perspectives, in addition to meeting CEQA requirements. The LMP defines the primary management purpose for a property and outlines the management issues, goals, and strategies for fulfilling this purpose. The land management planning process may be initiated due to a variety of management needs. For example, the need for an LMP may be triggered by the lack of an LMP for an existing property managed by CDFW, the acquisition of a new property (Fish and Game Code [FGC] §1019), or to enter a management agreement with a nonprofit conservation group or Resource Conservation District (FGC §1745 b2B). In addition, an LMP, or LMP update, may be warranted when revising management actions to reflect new management practices or to disclose management activities to the public. The term ¿Cultural Resources¿ and similar terminology is inclusive of, but not limited to, archaeological, Native American, traditional, and historical built environment resources (e.g., buildings, structures, objects, districts, and sites). Batiquitos Lagoon Ecological Reserve, in San Diego County, is approximately 550 acres of coastal lagoon and uplands including intertidal mudflats, marshes, and riparian forest. It is home to many listed species such as western snowy plover (Charadrius nivosus nivosus) and California least tern (Sternula antillarum browni). Batiquitos Lagoon Ecological Reserve ranges in elevation from sea level to approximately 20 feet and is predominantly bordered by private residential developments, a golf course, Interstate 5, and train tracks. It was acquired to preserve, protect, and maintain the improved coastal wetland habitat and associated species. There is a nature center, maintained by the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation, and popular hiking trails. French Valley Wildlife Area, in Riverside County, is approximately 670 acres in size, located southwest of Lake Skinner. It was previously used for dry-land farming and is now dominated by coastal sage scrub, southern willow scrub, grasslands, and eucalyptus woodlands. It is characterized by rolling hills and vernal pools, ranging in elevation from 1,300 to 1,600 feet. Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) and Riverside fairy shrimp (Streptocephalus woottoni) have been documented on the property. There are no developed facilities; public use includes wildlife viewing and hunting for dove, quail, and rabbits. Click "View Event Package" to Download RFP