The City of Antioch has been awarded a $680,000 grant to develop a Habitat Conservation Plan, which is intended to operate exactly as, and be managed by, the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy. A decade ago, Antioch opted out of the East County HCP during its development but city leaders recently changed their minds. During the interim planning period, the East Contra Costa HCP board has agreed to "loan" Antioch environmental coverage for a maximum of 750 acres. This will allow Antioch developers -- up to the acreage cap -- to pay the East Contra Costa HCP fee and participate as though they were in the HCP territory. In exchange, the HCP will benefit from the inclusion of imminent development projects in Antioch's pipeline. California environmental regulators have signed off on the loan concept but the East County HCP is waiting for a decision from the U.S. Fish and Game. In related news, the East County HCP will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2017. To date, the HCP has preserved 12,283 acres or 19 square miles. Developer fees totalling $1.35 million comprise 35 percent of the HCP’s revenues, which have been used to attract $2.2 million in grant funds for the purchase and permanent protection of critical habitat for plants and animals. Click here to download a map of the purchased properties. Click here to view the HCP’s 2015 Year in Review brochure and 2015 Annual Report. The East Contra Costa Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Preservation Plan operates in the communities of Oakley, Brentwood, Pittsburg, Clayton and unincorporated eastern Contra Costa County.
