Conservation element: wildlife and habitat connectivity.

Existing law, the Planning and Zoning Law, requires the legislative body of a city or county to adopt a comprehensive general plan that includes various elements, including land use, housing, and conservation elements, as specified. Existing law requires the conservation element to consider the effect of development within the jurisdiction on natural resources located on public lands. This bill would additionally require the conservation element to consider the effect of development within the jurisdiction on the movement of wildlife and habitat connectivity. The bill would require the conservation element, upon the next update of one or more elements on or after January 1, 2028, to, among other things, identify and analyze connectivity areas, permeability, and natural landscape areas within the jurisdiction, identify and analyze existing or planned wildlife passage features, and consider the impacts of development and the barriers caused by development to wildlife, as defined, and habitat connectivity. The bill would authorize a city, county, or city and county to incorporate by reference into its general plan an existing plan, including a certified local coastal plan, that meets these requirements. The bill would authorize a city, county, or city and county preparing to update its conservation element to consider incorporating appropriate standards, policies, and feasible implementation programs, consult with specified entities, and consider relevant best available science and the most appropriately scaled scientific information on linkages, corridors, and other locations that are essential to maintain landscape connectivity. The bill would authorize a city, county, or city and county to consult with other appropriate entities and meet the above-described requirements in a separate component or section of the general plan entitled a wildlife connectivity element. The bill would include related legislative findings and declarations. By adding to the duties of county and city officials in the administration of their land use planning duties, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.