Under the federal and state Endangered Species Acts, local jurisdictions using the South Sacramento HCP can permit their own projects or extend permit coverage to private applicants for projects that are described in the South Sacramento HCP as covered activities.   These permits previously were issued on a project-by-project basis by agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Wildlife.  The South Sacarmento HCP will:

• Analyze biological resources and identify conservation strategies for covered species
• Forecast the extent and location of urban and suburban growth
• Reconcile potential future growth with conservation strategies

​​The South Sacramento HCP and a related Aquatic Resources Program (ARP) also provide for an abbreviated process for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permitting under Section 404 of the federal Clean Water Act.  The integration of endangered species and Section 404 permitting into one streamlined local permitting process is the first of its kind under existing federal regulations. This proactive, coordinated approach to planning, permitting and conservation reduces costs and uncertainty.

South Sacramento HCP Partners

​The South Sacramento HCP is led by a multi-jurisdictional collaboration including Sacramento County; the cities of Rancho Cordova and Galt; the Sacramento County Water Agency; the Sacramento County Regional Sanitation District; and the Capital SouthEast Connector Joint Powers Authority.

Plan Area

The South Sacramento HCP plan area encompasses 317,656 acres bordered by Highway 50 on the north, San Joaquin County on the south, El Dorado County and Amador County to the east, and the Sacramento River to the west.  Within the South Sacramento HCP plan area, 33,796 acres will become part of the preserve system, including approximately 1,000 acres of vernal pool habitat.  The South Sacramento HCP will help protect 28 plant and wildlife species.
​Plan Area Specifics:

• 317,656 acres
• Urban Development Area (UDA): 67,618 acres
• Outside UDA: 250,038 acres
• Planned impact: 33,499 acres
• Preserve area: 33,796 acres

Costs and Funding

Implementation costs – including land acquisition, protection and management – will be incurred by those who impact resources with covered activities.  Property owners and developers in the South Sacramento HCP plan area will either pay fees to mitigate species and habitat impacts consistent with the conservation strategy or dedicate land to the preserve system.  A finance plan allocates management and ongoing implementation costs, ensuring that those who benefit from regulatory coverage under the South Sacramento HCP permit pay their fair share of implementation costs.
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The South Sacramento HCP is implemented using free-market, willing-seller principles.  Eminent domain is not used for property acquisition.

Adoption Schedule ​

April 9, 2018: Sacramento County Planning Commission (recommended adoption)
May 15, 2018: public release of final SSHCP, EIS/EIR, Aquatic Resources Program and Implementing Agreement
June 14, 2018: Galt Planning Commission (recommended adoption)
June 21, 2018: Comment period on final HCP, EIS/EIR, Aquatic Resources Program ends
August 8, 2018: Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, first hearing
September 11, 2018: Sacramento County Board of Supervisors (adopted plan)
September 28, 2018: Capital SouthEast Connector JPA (adopted plan)
October 15, 2018: Rancho Cordova City Council (adopted plan)
October 16, 2018: Galt City Council (adopted plan)
October 29, 2018: South Sacramento Conservation Agency JPA (adopted plan)
Spring/summer 2019: permits issued