County moves to phase Riverview Regional Park permits after CDFW reduces salamander mitigation estimate
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Summary
County staff told supervisors that CDFW has reduced the estimated California tiger salamander mitigation for the Riverview Regional Park project and that CDFW will consider a phased permit, allowing the county to buy phase‑A mitigation (about $300,000) and proceed with early construction.
San Benito County staff told the Board of Supervisors on Oct. 28 that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has reduced the county’s California tiger salamander (CTS) off‑site mitigation requirement substantially and that CDFW is willing to allow phased permitting for Riverview Regional Park.
Steve Loop, public‑works/parks administrator, said CDFW’s recent analysis lowered the county’s obligation from roughly $2.2 million to about $655,000 based on project refinements. Loop said staff and CDFW discussed two paths: (1) purchase the $655,000 mitigation now to cover the whole park, or (2) pursue a phased permit. Under the phased option CDFW verbally signaled it would accept a smaller phase‑A mitigation purchase of about $300,000 to allow construction of the parking lot and other initial amenities. The remaining mitigation (about $355,000) could be purchased later if/when the board approves additional phases.
Loop briefed the board that the county holds roughly $6 million earmarked for the park (a $2.4 million state grant and about $3.6 million in park impact fees). He said CDFW indicated it could process a phased permit within about four months if the county completes the required environmental work and submits the documentation.
Board direction and next steps: Supervisors asked staff to pursue the phased permitting approach, prepare a revised design addendum and contract amendment so staff can finalize bid documents, and return with a construction schedule and cost breakdown. Loop told the board that phase‑1 parking construction could begin as soon as permits are issued and take roughly four months, while phase‑2 amenities would follow and take about 14 months to construct.
Why it matters: The permitting outcome materially affects whether the county can begin near‑term construction without first funding the full CTS mitigation. Staff said the phased option preserves the county’s ability to complete the most visible, high‑use portions of the park while deferring additional mitigation purchases until grant or other funding is available.
What the county will do next: County staff will seek to finalize environmental tasks, complete the phased permit application with CDFW, and return to the board with a contract addendum and bid package for phase‑2 work.
