E - NCCP HCP Frequently Asked QuestionsNCCP/HCP FAQ’s
1. What is an NCCP/HCP Permit?
A Natural Communities Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan (NCCP/HCP) is part of a permit
application for incidental take granted to an entity by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The NCCP program is a state
initiative designed to address impacts to listed species at a regional scale and streamline permitting for
both federal and state listed species. Any private or public project, in the State of California, must be
evaluated for environmental impacts pursuant to CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act). If the
project will result in take of species that are listed by the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended
(ESA) or the California Endangered Species Act (CESA), the project applicant must apply for incidental
take permits (ITPs) from the USFWS and the CDFW. This process of obtaining ITPs directly from the
USFWS and CDFW can be lengthy and costly.
The City prepared a NCCP/HCP as part of their permit application submitted to the USFWS and CDFW
requesting take authorization for listed and unlisted species to facilitate a variety of public and private
projects detailed in the NCCP/HCP. The citywide NCCP/HCP is intended to streamline approvals and save
the City significant time and money. In turn, the City is able to extend its take authorization to private
applicants on behalf of the USFWS and CDFW pursuant to the NCCP/HCP, saving the private applicants
significant time and money.
2. How does the NCCP/HCP impact me as a private property owner in Rancho Palos Verdes?
There are approximately 15,500 private properties in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes of which
approximately 986 contain coastal sage scrub habitat. The majority of these private properties that
support coastal sage scrub are located on neutral land, as defined by the NCCP/HCP. Neutral land has
existing development constraints pursuant to the City’s Municipal Code or other restrictions. The City
estimates that there are approximately 43 private properties that are not designated as neutral lands
that may require permits from USFWS or CDFW. The NCCP/HCP provides specific criteria that can be
used to address listed and sensitive species regulations through the City and streamline permitting for
private landowners who propose to impact coastal sage scrub habitat.
3. How does the NCCP/HCP benefit public projects to improve vital City infrastructure?
The NCCP/HCP, and associated ITPs, streamline the City’s ability to implement projects while providing
certainty and assurances to the City and local landowners. This streamlining results in significant cost
savings and expedited timelines. Some specific projects that will benefit from the NCCP/HCP include
citywide drainage projects, landslide abatement projects, Palos Verdes Drive South realignment and
maintenance, and fuel modification in the Preserve.
4. How does the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve relate to the NCCP/HCP Permits?
An important element of the NCCP/HCP is setting aside unfragmented land (Palos Verdes Nature
Preserve) in the region to provide protected species’ conservation. The Preserve serves as the
environmental mitigation for the projects covered in the NCCP/HCP (see Item No. 3 above) and is
anticipated to be permitted by the USFWS and CDFW. The 1,402-acre Palos Verdes Nature Preserve was
established in part by the City’s NCCP/HCP to mitigate for these public and private projects covered in
the NCCP/HCP. The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (PVPLC) partners with the City in this
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effort by holding conservation easements over most of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve and serving as
the Preserve’s habitat manager.
5. How can I learn more or provide my input?
The Rancho Palos Verdes City Council will conduct a public hearing at a special meeting on October 29,
2019 at 7 p.m. at Fred Hesse Community Park, McTaggart Hall, located at 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard,
in Rancho Palos Verdes to consider the final adoption of the City’s Natural Communities Conservation
Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan (NCCP/HCP) and the Responses to Comments associated with the
Environmental Assessment.
Additionally, on October 14, 2019, the City will conduct the quarterly Preserve public forum to primarily
address questions on the NCCP/HCP. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Fred Hesse Community
Park, McTaggart Hall (address above).
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