Resource Agencies Reiterate Habitat Needs

New Letter Clarifies School Site Issues

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (F&WS) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have stated again that the wetlands and endangered species in southeast Chico are treasures that have been entrusted to us. In a letter dated October 4, 2000 from EPA to Congressional Representative Wally Herger, it clearly states that the jurisdictional agencies are in agreement that the "preservation of the two parcels located east of Bruce Road is necessary to adequately protect waters of the United States." The property referred to is the Schmidbauer property, now being considered for the new high school site. The City of Chico, landowners, state and federal agencies, and local residents have all been aware of resource constraints in the area since the update of the Chico General Plan in 1994 and the attempted Habitat and Resource Conservation Plan (HRCP) that followed.

The EPA letter is in response to a July meeting called by Herger's office and the landowner's consultant. The letter goes on to say that, "Permitting development on even a portion of the eastern parcels will degrade the remaining resources through direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts." This is the same language the state and federal agencies used during the HRCP process from 1995 through 1997. Despite clear direction dating that far back, the Schmidbauer consultant, Jim Mann, has been attempting to change agency policy and belief for over two years with the Chico Unified School District (CUSD) in tow. CUSD was well aware of all the resource issues in Chico after participating in the Chico General Plan update and attending HRCP meetings, but they still found the Schmidbauer property east of Bruce enticing for a new high school. The question still needs to be asked, "What deal was offered to pursue such environmentally constrained property for a public high school?"

The City of Chico's decision not to continue with the HRCP was a disservice to residents, landowners, and school children since it would have eliminated individual permits for wetlands and endangered species in Chico Urban Area through the issuance of a regional general permit. The HRCP would have allowed one-stop shopping for permits in Chico expediting the way for any development in the least constrained areas while protecting the most valuable native habitat. After following the Schmidbauer consultant's lead for two years, the landowner and the CUSD must now follow the advice provided years ago by the agencies and restated in the EPA letter. "Development of the proposed high school and some residential housing could be accommodated on the parcel located west of Bruce Road. While this parcel also supports wetlands and special status species, the agencies are prepared to assist local stakeholders with permitting processes to ensure the educational needs of the community are met. Likewise, we are prepared to assist local landowners with securing compensation for protecting the natural resources on their properties..."

This column originally appeared in October 2000 in the Chico Examiner.