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Council adopts small fee increase for Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan
Summary
The Sacramento City Council voted to raise Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) mitigation fees slightly for 2025 after staff said the Natomas Basin Conservancy’s finance model required a modest adjustment to match implementation costs.
The Sacramento City Council voted to raise the Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) mitigation fees for the 2025 construction season after a staff presentation and brief remarks from council members.
Assistant Planner Matthew Ila of the Community Development Department told the council that all new development in the Natomas Basin is subject to the HCP and to an implementation agreement with federal and state wildlife agencies, and that the Natomas Basin Conservancy’s updated finance model showed a need to adjust fees to ensure adequate funding for required avoidance and mitigation measures.
Ila said the proposed change increases the fee without land dedication from $46,009 to $47,031 per gross acre — a $10.22 increase — and the fee with land dedication from $32,259 to $33,281 per gross acre, also a $10.22 increase. "Prior to new grading, development located in Natomas Basin ... is subject to the payment of HCP fees," Ila said. He described the HCP as the mechanism that specifies avoidance measures and mitigation for loss of habitat and incidental take coverage.
Councilmember comments praised the conservancy and noted the acreage protected under the program. Councilmember Maple said the HCP helps protect more than 22 plant and animal species in the basin. One council member noted the council has protected "more than 5,402 acres of open space, which is an actual increase of 249 acres from the last time this came to council." The council opened and closed the public hearing with no public speakers on the item.
The council approved the resolution adopting the fee adjustment by voice vote; the roll call recorded councilmembers saying "aye" and noted Mayor McCarty absent.
The adjustment is annual and, per staff, intended to keep the plan funded to implement mitigation and habitat-protection actions required by the implementation agreement with wildlife agencies. City staff and the Natomas Basin Conservancy indicated the change is technical and modest compared with historical fees, which the staff presentation showed at $41,182 per acre in 2006 and $44,050 per acre in 2010.
Council materials and the staff presentation are intended to be the administrative record for the fee adjustment. Staff said they are available for follow-up questions about the fee calculation and lands protected under the HCP.
Votes at a glance: Resolution to adopt the Natomas Basin HCP fee adjustment — approved by voice vote; roll-call recorded as affirmative from councilmembers present; Mayor McCarty absent.
