Policies

1. Policy IU-3.4 Natural floodways

   We retain existing natural floodways and watercourses on County-controlled floodways, including natural channel bottoms, unless hardening and channelization is the only feasible way to manage flood risk. On floodways not controlled by the County, we encourage the retention of natural floodways and watercourses. Our priority is to reduce flood risk, but we also strive to protect wildlife corridors, prevent loss of critical habitat, and improve the amount and quality of surface water and groundwater resources.

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2. Policy IU-5.5 Energy and fuel facilities

   We encourage the development and upgrade of energy and regional fuel facilities in areas that do not pose significant environmental or public health and safety hazards, and in a manner that is compatible with military operations and local community identity.

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Goals

1. Goal NR-5 Biological Resources

   An interconnected landscape of open spaces and habitat areas that promotes biodiversity and healthy ecosystems, both for their intrinsic value and for the value placed on them by residents and visitors.

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Policies

1. Policy NR-3.2 Residential clustering

   We allow residential development to cluster housing units in order to reduce the consumption of undeveloped land, maximize the amount of open space, preserve natural resources, conform to natural topography/grade, and/or reduce exposure of structures to natural hazards.

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2. Policy NR-3.4 Land exchange

   We coordinate with state and federal agencies to exchange publicly owned lands in order to provide additional areas for open space, recreation, and resource protection. We also request the right of first refusal on publicly owned lands made available for purchase to the public.

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3. Policy NR-3.5 Private conservation efforts

   We support nongovernmental organizations and private entities who purchase, own, maintain, and expand areas for conservation and preservation. We also support the voluntary transition of privately held lands within a larger boundary designated by the state or federal government for open space and resource conservation to public ownership.

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4. Policy NR-3.11 Off-highway vehicle areas

   In areas under the County’s land use authority, we require new or expansion of existing commercial off-highway vehicle (OHV) areas to be situated and buffered to minimize effects on nearby residential uses, military activity, and environmentally sensitive areas.

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5. Policy NR-5.1 Coordinated habitat planning

   We participate in landscape-scale habitat conservation planning and coordinate with existing or proposed habitat conservation and natural resource management plans for private and public lands to increase certainty for both the conservation of species, habitats, wildlife corridors, and other important biological resources and functions; and for land development and infrastructure permitting.

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6. Policy NR-5.2 Capacity for resource protection and management

   We coordinate with public and nongovernmental agencies to seek funding and other resources to protect, restore, and maintain open space, habitat, and wildlife corridors for threatened, endangered, and other sensitive species.

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7. Policy NR-5.3 Multiple-resource benefits

   We prioritize conservation actions that demonstrate multiple resource preservation benefits, such as biology, climate change adaptation and resiliency, hydrology, cultural, scenic, and community character.

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8. Policy NR-5.4 Off-base recovery efforts

   We coordinate with military installations to facilitate off-base recovery of threatened and endangered species and landscape-scale conservation.

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9. Policy NR-5.5 Mitigation and future responsibilities

   We require that new development satisfy habitat conservation responsibilities without shifting conservation responsibilities onto military property.

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10. Policy NR-5.6 Mitigation banking

    We support the proactive assemblage of lands to protect biological resources and facilitate development through private or public mitigation banking. We require public and private conservation lands or mitigation banks to ensure that easement and fee title agreements provide funding methods sufficient to manage the land in perpetuity.

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11. Policy NR-5.7 Development review, entitlement, and mitigation

    We comply with state and federal regulations regarding protected species of animals and vegetation through the development review, entitlement, and environmental clearance processes.

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12. Policy NR-7.6 Sustainable grazing practices

    We require all grazing on open rangelands to be compatible with the conservation of threatened and endangered species.

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Policies

1. Policy RE-4.4

   Encourage siting, construction and screening of RE generation facilities to avoid, minimize or mitigate significant changes to the visual environment including minimizing light and glare.

   • RE 4.4.1: Reduce visual impacts through a combination of minimized reflective surfaces, context sensitive color treatments, nature-oriented geometry, minimized vegetation clearing under and around arrays, conservation of pre-existing native plants, replanting of native plants as appropriate, maintenance of natural landscapes around the edges of facility complexes, and lighting design to minimize night-sky impacts, including attraction of and impact to nocturnal migratory birds
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2. Policy RE-4.7

   RE project site selection and site design shall be guided by the following priorities relative to habitat conservation and mitigation:

   1. Avoid sensitive habitat, including wildlife corridors, during site selection and project design.
   2. Where necessary and feasible, conduct mitigation on-site.
   3. When on-site habitat mitigation is not possible or adequate, establish mitigation off-site in an area designated for habitat conservation.
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3. Policy RE-4.8

   Encourage mitigation for RE generation facility projects to locate habitat conservation offsets on public lands where suitable habitat is available.

   • RE 4.8.1: Collaborate with appropriate state and federal agencies to facilitate mitigation/habitat conservation activities on public lands
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4. Policy RE-4.9

   Encourage RE facility developers to design projects in ways that provide sanctuary (i.e., a safe place to nest, breed and/or feed) for native bees, butterflies and birds where feasible and appropriate, according to expert recommendations.

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Policies

1. Policy HW-3.4 Public museums

   We operate County museums to preserve and depict the history, culture, and natural science of San Bernardino County. We invest in facilities and technology and collaborate with other institutions, organizations, and businesses in order to increase public exposure to museum holdings.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT C - Build human capital and promote enterprise, with a focus on environmentally friendly businesses, to strengthen the local economy and provide opportunities for residents and families to be self-reliant.

   Action Statement C.1

   Promote child and youth development, social and civic responsibility, and environmental stewardship by establishing a multigenerational community council with youth in leadership positions to advocate for and support activities that enrich our community and our environment.

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2. FOCUS STATEMENT D - Become a destination renowned for culture, environment, health, and well-being for people of all ages and abilities.

   Action Statement D.1

   Establish a resource conservation program to designate open space resources, establish a dedicated funding source, and actively promote open space protection through land acquisition, conservation easements, mitigation monitoring, volunteer support, and other similar tools.

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   Action Statement D.2

   Promote family- and eco-friendly tourism that educates people about our natural surroundings, dark skies, and quiet nature.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT C - Create affordable outdoor recreation activities that capitalize on the natural environment, attract visitors, and provide entertainment for residents while also reducing the associated impacts to the communities

   Action Statement C.4

   Develop programs and marketing materials that educate visitors on the natural environment and importance of its protection in order to foster responsible tourist behavior.

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   Action Statement C.5

   Encourage the establishment of ecotourism businesses.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT A - Preserve the desert ecosystem, its natural beauty, and the community’s harmonious relationship with the environment

   Action Statement A.1

   Partner with organizations such as Mojave Desert Land Trust to conserve natural desert habitats and wildlife corridors and to protect native plants and animals.

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   Action Statement A.4

   Promote respect for local ecosystems and be stewards of the environment.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT A - Preserve and enhance the unique environmental features of the Lake Arrowhead Communities and surrounding areas

   Action Statement A.1

   Coordinate with the local schools and other organizations to educate youth on the importance of the environment and its protection.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT A - Promote and enhance responsible use of natural resources

   Action Statement A.5

   Collaborate with the USFS and the County of San Bernardino to design and construct a sign plan intended to educate users about feeding animals and hunting in legal areas.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT A - Preserve the historic western themed rural lifestyle

   Action Statement A.7

   Protect, maintain, and expand open spaces in the community.

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