Conservation Analyst Report
March-April 2007
Lech Naumovich
Core Projects
Concord Naval Weapons Station – Since the CNWS was finally officially surplussed by the Navy,
Concord has continued the reuse planning with the appointed Citizens Advisory Committee.
CNPS has attended several meetings with other environmental organizations in the area in
efforts to organize information exchange during this process. I will be facilitating a meeting this
month with local environmental groups in order to help establish a platform, outreach ideas,
and coordinate information exchange.
Upland Habitat Goals Project – The Vegetation committee has nearly finished the final
vegetation map that will be used as a base layer in the UHGP analysis. I have been coordinating
chapter level efforts to report information on locally rare and important plant populations for
each designated “Landscape Unit”. So far 4 out of the 7 Bay Area CNPS chapters have
responded with information regarding “conservation targets”, or species towards which
conservation efforts should be directed. Stuart Weiss, Don Mayall, Heath Bartosh, and Jake
Ruygt have been essential volunteers.
Pittsburg – Pressure to develop in Pittsburg on hillsides has inspired a group of local residents
backed by environmental groups to ask the city to develop a Hillside Protection Ordinance.
Currently, Greenbelt Alliance, Save Our Hills, Sierra Club, and Save Mt. Diablo have taken an
active interest in ensuring a proper ordinance is penned.
Springtown – EBCNPS board members and volunteers, notably Mary Ann Hannon and Heath
Bartosh, continued efforts to organize information and meet with local groups in order to share
ideas and information on the alkali sink. Last month, a meeting was arranged with Tri-Valley
Conservancy in which goals and ideas were shared about conservation strategies for the
Livermore area. Also, a conservation easement was almost auctioned to an uninformed buyer
at overvalued price. EBCNPS worked to help elucidate this problem to the county of Alameda,
eventually allowing the current owner to pay back taxes or ensure buyers are properly notified.
A’s stadium in Fremont – The Oakland A’s have filed for a development agreement with the City
of Fremont in order to move forward with stadium plans. EBCNPS is working with FWS and
other local groups to in order to ensure that rare species and vernal pools are protected.
East Contra Costa HCP – The HCP was finally approved by all local cities and counties involved.
The approval process is now being considered with the local water agencies, CDFG and FWS.
CNPS continues to support the process as it starts to consider implementation strategies.
Serpentine Prairie – EBCNPS is working with the EBRPD in order to communicate important
information and ideas as a management and restoration plan for Redwood Park’s serpentine
prairie is being created. EBCNPS hopes to see a viable, productive population of Presidio Clarkia
thrive at this site.
Crestmont Development - EBCNPS has commented throughout the planning process on a
proposed development on a botanically rich serpentine slope in the Crestmont area of the
Oakland Hills. The City's environmental review process of this development has been
problematic and incomplete despite the fact the proposed development hosts some of the
rarest plants in the East Bay, including the Presidio clarkia. The ultimate fate of the property has
yet to be determined.
Peripheral Projects
FWS review of 5 East Bay plant species – EBCNPS submitted comments and additional
information which is germane to the review of 5 federally listed plant species found in the East
Bay. Of these plants, notably, Contra Costa goldfields Lasthenia conjugens and Palmate-bracted
bird’s-beak Cordylanthus palmatus were included in the review that is to be conducted by the
USFWS this year. We have coordinated efforts with Craig Aubrey and Susan Moore of the FWS.
Mt. Diablo Sunflower in Las Trampas RP – A local member brought to light a minor development
project that threatens a robust population of Mt. Diablo sunflower (Helianthella castenea).
EBCNPS volunteer Sherry McCreedy helped pen a letter that educates the current owners about
the rarity of this plant and its significance. A number of plants were observed just on the other
side of the park boundary.
Statewide CNPS Conservation Conference – A strong effort is being made to try to organize a
statewide CNPS conference on plant conservation in 2009. I have been asked to be a session
chair for a “regional session” which will look at conservation in the Bay Area and Central Coast.
Currently, proposals for four regional sessions exist and the co-chairs for this process are Brett
Hall, Jim Andre, and myself. Session chairs serve to organize speakers and session topics.
Pleasanton – A new 150+ acre project asks for the city to annex dry land farming areas and
agricultural areas in Alameda County to the city. EBCNPS is preparing comments for this
development which is at the “scoping” or NOP stage.
Oakley – A new EIR was issued for the Gilbert project. This 120 acre development is entirely
located on rare alkaline and sandy soils which are presumed to support rare plants of the EB.
EBCNPS is working to prepare comments on this project in hope of preserving some alkaline
and sandy soils and rare plant habitat where possible and reasonable.
Cowell Ranch – EBCNPS is helping CA State Parks acquire some plant and vegetation
information in one of the State’s newest parks, Cowell Ranch. The EBCNPS Vegetation
Committee is organizing a reconnaissance trip to the Briones Valley where a number of rare and
unusual plants and vegetation types are known to be located.