CURRENT PROJECTS

Climate Action Plan Update and Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR):
On September 30, 2020, the Board of Supervisors voted to set aside its approval of the County’s 2018 Climate Action Plan (2018 CAP) and related actions because the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) was found to be out of compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). In response to this Board action, staff are preparing a CAP Update to revise the 2018 CAP and correct the items identified by the Court within the Final SEIR that were not compliant. A Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (Supplemental EIR) will be prepared for the CAP Update project. Project details can be found here.

2020 Report on Climate Action Plan Progress:
The CAP team released the 2020 Report on Climate Action Plan Progress in July 2021. The Report includes 2018 CAP implementation highlights and greenhouse gas reductions metrics for the ten 2018 CAP measures that contribute towards the County’s 2020 emissions reduction target. Through the end of 2020, the County exceeded its 2020 emissions reduction target by 22%. A copy of the Report can be found here.

Landscaping Ordinance Update Project (2018 CAP Measures W-1.2/A-1.2):
The Board of Supervisors adopted the Landscaping Ordinance Update on June 24, 2020. This ordinance implements a 40% water conservation in outdoor landscaping from 2014 levels as described by 2018 CAP Measure W-1.2 and new requirements for tree planting in new single-family homes as described by 2018 CAP Measure A-1.2. This effort includes updates to the County’s Water Efficient Landscape Design Manual that will include information on water conservation strategies such as using recycled water and greywater to irrigate drought-tolerant and native landscaping. Documents are available here.

Local Direct Investment Project (2018 CAP Measure T-4.1):
Staff are currently evaluating the development of a County Local Direct Investment Program as described by 2018 CAP Measure T-4.1. This program will include projects that will reduce, avoid, or sequester carbon. It will also provide the County with an adaptive management tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the county in order to meet the established 2030 GHG reduction target.

Transportation Demand Management and Shared/Reduced Parking Ordinances (2018 CAP Measures T-2.2 and T-2.4):
Staff are currently evaluating options to implement a TDM/Shared Parking program which will reduce new non-residential development vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in accordance with 2018 CAP Measures T-2.2 and T-2.4 and contribute towards the County’s 2030 emissions reductions targets. Strategies that reduce VMT include carpooling, vanpools, biking, telecommuting, and increasing the efficiency of parking in the unincorporated area.

Organic Materials Ordinance Update (2018 CAP Measure SW-1.1):
To support implementation of the County’s Strategic Plan to Reduce Waste and increase solid waste diversion to 80% by 2030, staff are working to revise the zoning ordinance and regulatory code to facilitate the expansion of processing infrastructure for organic materials. Additional project information is available here.

Native Plant Landscaping Policy Options:
Staff are currently evaluating options for increasing the use of native plants in landscaping to achieve a range of benefits including biodiversity and habitat preservation, increased drought tolerance, local market development, among others. Additional project information is available here.

RELATED PROGRAMS

Electric Vehicle (EV) Roadmap Program:
Staff are currently implementing the EV Roadmap, which was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on October 16, 2019. The EV Roadmap contains 6 goals and 11 recommendations to move the County toward a more sustainable future by purchasing new EVs for the County fleet, installing charging infrastructure for public use at County facilities and in other priority locations throughout the unincorporated area, and more. Learn more about the program’s implementation efforts here.

Clean Mobility Options Voucher Pilot Program – Community Transportation Needs Assessment (La Presa):
Staff are conducting a needs assessment to understand how residents in La Presa travel within their community, and what transportation challenges they face when doing so. The needs assessment aims to engage with and learn from community members in under-resourced communities to identify reliable transportation options such as zero-emission carpooling/vanpooling, bike-sharing/scooter-sharing, innovative transit services, and ride-on-demand services. Additional information can be found here.