Chapter 7

CONSERVATION AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of the Conservation and Open Space Element of the General Plan is to address the management, preservation, and conservation of natural resources and open space of El Dorado County. Management of the County's resources will assure the availability of those resources to future generations and the realization of their full economic potential.

Pursuant to Government Code Section 65302, both a conservation and an open space element must be included in a general plan. The General Plan combines these two elements into the Conservation and Open Space Element and as such satisfies the legal requirements for the Conservation and Open Space Elements defined in the Government Code, Sections 65302(d) and 65560, respectively.

RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER ELEMENTS

This element contains provisions for the conservation and protection of soils, minerals, water, wildlife and fisheries, vegetation, cultural resources, and open space. The issues of this element are closely linked to those of almost all other elements of this General Plan. The intensity of development and issues of land use compatibility relating to resource protection and/or production are discussed in the Land Use, Agriculture and Forestry, and Parks and Recreation Elements.

Natural resources and soil preservation are also discussed in the Agriculture and Forestry Element. The Agriculture and Forestry Element focuses primarily on conservation of agricultural lands and timber forest lands and identifies the types of uses which are compatible with resource utilization.

Measures necessary for the protection of life and property, as well as ecological values, are also discussed in the Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element.

The Parks and Recreation Element discusses the provision and maintenance of parks, recreation facilities, and trails to serve El Dorado County while the Conservation and Open Space Element deals with the conservation of open space for outdoor recreation.

The Public Services and Utilities Element discusses the conservation of reusable resources and land by recycling and waste management techniques.

ORGANIZATION OF THE ELEMENT

The Conservation and Open Space Element discusses significant natural resources including geology and soils, extractive minerals, water, biological resources, cultural resources, and open space resources. Goals, objectives, and policies are included in this element for each of the topics listed.

POLICY SECTION

SOIL CONSERVATION

Conserve and protect the County's soil resources.

OBJECTIVE 7.1.1: SOILS

Long-term soil productivity.

• Policy 7.1.1.1
  Conserve and maintain important agricultural soils for existing and potential agricultural and forest uses by limiting non-agricultural/non-forestry development on those soils.

OBJECTIVE 7.1.2: EROSION/SEDIMENTATION

Minimize soil erosion and sedimentation.

• Policy 7.1.2.1
  Discretionary development shall be discouraged on slopes exceeding forty (40) percent unless necessary for access. Slopes 30 percent and greater shall have a site specific review of soil type, vegetation, drainage contour, and site placement to encourage proper site selection and mitigation. Septic systems may only be located on slopes under 30 percent. Roads needed to complete circulation/access and for emergency access may be constructed on such cross slopes if all other standards are met.
• Policy 7.1.2.2
  Discretionary projects that require earthwork and grading, including cut and fill for roads, shall be required to minimize erosion and sedimentation, conform to natural contours, maintain natural drainage patterns, minimize impervious surfaces, and maximize the retention of natural vegetation.
• Policy 7.1.2.3
  Enforce Grading Ordinance provisions for erosion control on all development projects and adopt provisions for ongoing, applicant-funded monitoring of project grading.
• Policy 7.1.2.4
  Cooperate with and encourage the activities of the three Resource Conservation Districts in identifying critical soil erosion problems and pursuing funding sources to resolve such problems.
• Policy 7.1.2.5
  The Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the Resource Conservation Districts and Soil Conservation District, shall develop a road-side maintenance program to manage roads in a manner that maintains drainage and protects surface waters while reducing road-side weed problems.
• Policy 7.1.2.6
  The County shall encourage the Soil Conservation Service to update the 1974 Soil Survey and to digitize all soils mapping units on the Geographic Information System (GIS).

CONSERVATION OF MINERAL RESOURCES

Conservation of the County's significant mineral deposits.

OBJECTIVE 7.2.1: IDENTIFY MINERAL RESOURCES

Identification of the County's important mineral resources.

• Policy 7.2.1.1
  In accordance with California Code of Regulations, Sections 3675-3676, the County shall maintain all Mineral Land Classification reports produced by the State Division of Mines and Geology which pertain to El Dorado County. El Dorado County hereby recognizes, accepts, and adopts by reference those State Classification Reports as they currently exist and as may be amended, or supplemented, in the future. A list of said reports is provided in Volume II-Background Information, El Dorado County General Plan, Chapter 7.
• Policy 7.2.1.2
  Areas designated as Mineral Resource (-MR) overlay on the General Plan Land Use Map shall be identified by the Mineral Resource (-MR) combining zone district on the zoning maps when the likely extraction of the resource through surface mining methods will be compatible with adjacent land uses as determined by Policy 7.2.2.2.
• Policy 7.2.1.3
  The County shall request the State Department of Conservation to conduct a County-wide study to assess the location and value of non-metallic mineral materials. Once completed, the County may recognize them in the General Plan and zone them and the surroundings to allow for mineral resource management.

OBJECTIVE 7.2.2: PROTECTION FROM DEVELOPMENT

Protection of important mineral resources from incompatible development.

• Policy 7.2.2.1
  The minimum parcel size within, or adjacent to, areas subject to the -MR overlay shall be ten (10) acres unless the applicant can demonstrate to the approving authority that there are no economically significant mineral deposits on or adjacent to the project site and that the proposed project will have no adverse effect on existing or potential mining operations. The minimum parcel size adjacent to active mining operations which are outside of the - MR overlay shall also be ten (10) acres.
• Policy 7.2.2.2
  The General Plan designations, as shown on the General Plan land use maps, which are considered potentially compatible with surface mining shall include:
• Natural Resource (NR)
• Open Space (OS)
• Industrial (I)
• Public Facilities (PF)
• Rural Residential (RR)
• Commercial (C)
• Low Density Residential (LDR)

All other General Plan designations are determined to be incompatible for surface mining.

OBJECTIVE 7.2.3: ENVIRONMENTAL/LAND USE COMPATIBILITY

Regulation of extraction of mineral resources to ensure that environmental and land use compatibility issues are considered.

• Policy 7.2.3.1
  The extraction of mineral resources within the County shall only be allowed following the approval of a special use permit and a reclamation plan conforming to the California Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA).
• Policy 7.2.3.2
  In analyzing the environmental effects of mining operations, the County shall consider, at a minimum, the following issues in granting a new permit:
1. Natural vegetation and topography for buffering;
2. Central location of processing equipment and equipment storage;
3. Dust control;
4. Circulation and construction standards for access roads;
5. Erosion control;
6. Revegetation and re-establishment of natural appearing features on the site following mining activities;
7. Ultimate land use;
8. Hours of operation;
9. Night lighting;
10. Security fencing;
11. Noise impacts;
12. Protection of water quality, sensitive wildlife habitat and/or sensitive plant communities; and
13. Phased reclamation that proceeds concurrently with surface mining.

• Policy 7.2.3.3
  Existing development (commercial, residential, and public facilities), as well as undeveloped private lands, shall be protected from significant adverse environmental effects caused by mining through use permit conditions, mitigation measures, and the Noise Element standards.
• Policy 7.2.3.4
  Surface access to subsurface mining is conditionally permitted only in compatible General Plan designations as defined in these policies. However, vent and escape shafts are permitted in incompatible General Plan designations where surface disturbance is minimal.
• Policy 7.2.3.5
  The County shall require satisfactory forms of accessible security including irrevocable letters of credit, cash deposits, escrowed negotiable securities, or performance bonds for all mining projects to cover all damages which may stem from the projects and to make sure that all reclamation is carried out. These securities shall be reviewed annually to ensure that there are sufficient funds available to repair potential damage at current costs.
• Policy 7.2.3.6
  Time limits for special use permits for each project shall be established on a case-by-case basis. Time limits shall be based on the reasonably expected life of the mining operation and potential conflicts with future neighboring land uses. Each project shall have a periodic review for compliance with the use permit. In no case shall such review time period exceed five years. Said review shall be funded by the applicant.
• Policy 7.2.3.7
  Exploration for economic mineral or ore deposits is permitted in compatible General Plan designations as defined in these policies. A special use permit shall be required if:
1. Overburden or mineral deposits in excess of 1,000 cubic yards are disturbed; or
2. The operation in any one location disturbs one acre or more in size; or
3. De-watering will occur or water will be discharged from the site as a result of the operation.

• Policy 7.2.3.8
  Exploration for economic mineral or ore deposits is permitted in incompatible General Plan designations, provided that:
1. Methods of geological survey, geophysical, or geochemical prospecting are used; or
2. Bore holes and trial pits not exceeding 100 cubic yards of overburden or other mineral disturbance may be created; and
3. No explosives may be used; there may be no drifting or tunnelling; and de- watering or water discharge is not allowed.

• Policy 7.2.3.9
  All exploratory operations shall require a reclamation plan and a bond to ensure its completion if:
1. Overburden or mineral deposits in excess of 1,000 cubic yards are disturbed; or
2. The operation in any one location disturbs one acre or more in size.

• Policy 7.2.3.10
  In those instances where a reclamation plan is not required, an erosion control plan shall be required for those operations in which over 50 cubic yards or more of overburden are disturbed.
• Policy 7.2.3.11
  Recreational mining, which is the extraction of minerals for recreation on a seasonal basis and the use of such devices as pans, rockers, and dredges with intakes eight inches in diameter or less, shall not require a special use permit. However, certain Federal or State regulations and local building and sanitation regulations may apply.
• Policy 7.2.3.12
  Except as provided for in Policy 2.2.2.7, zone changes removing the -MR Combining Zone District from the base zone district shall be considered by the County only when specific studies similar in nature to State Classification Reports prove that a significant mineral deposit no longer exists.
• Policy 7.2.3.13
  Regardless of the General Plan designation, subsurface mining shall be conditionally permitted throughout the County. Said mining shall be allowed only after impacts to the environment and affected surface land uses have been adequately reviewed and found to be in compliance with CEQA. Of particular importance shall be the impact of the operation on surface land uses, water quantity and quality, and noise and vibration impacts associated with surface access. All other related impacts shall also be addressed.

CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF WATER RESOURCES

Conserve, enhance, and manage water resources and protect their quality from degradation.

OBJECTIVE 7.3.1: WATER RESOURCE PROTECTION

Preserve and protect the supply and quality of the County's water resources including the protection of critical watersheds, riparian zones, and aquifers.

• Policy 7.3.1.1
  Encourage the use of Best Management Practices, as identified by the Soil Conservation Service, in watershed lands as a means to prevent erosion, siltation, and flooding.
• Policy 7.3.1.2
  Establish water conservation programs that include both drought tolerant landscaping and efficient building design requirements as well as incentives for the conservation and wise use of water.
• Policy 7.3.1.3
  The County shall develop the criteria and draft an ordinance to allow and encourage the use of domestic gray water for landscape irrigation purposes. (See Title 22 of the State Water Code and the Graywater Regulations of the Uniform Plumbing Code).

OBJECTIVE 7.3.2: WATER QUALITY

Maintenance of and, where possible, improvement of the quality of underground and surface water.

• Policy 7.3.2.1
  Stream and lake embankments shall be protected from erosion, and streams and lakes shall be protected from excessive turbidity.
• Policy 7.3.2.2
  Projects requiring a grading permit shall have an erosion control program approved, where necessary.
• Policy 7.3.2.3
  Where practical and when warranted by the size of the project, parking lot storm drainage shall include facilities to separate oils and salts from storm water in accordance with the recommendations of the Storm Water Quality Task Force's California Storm Water Best Management Practices Handbooks (1993).
• Policy 7.3.2.4
  The County should evaluate feasible alternatives to the use of salt for ice control on County roads.
• Policy 7.3.2.5
  As a means to improve the water quality affecting the County's recreational waters, enhanced and increased detailed analytical water quality studies and monitoring should be implemented to identify and reduce point and non-point pollutants and contaminants. Where such studies or monitoring reports have identified sources of pollution, the County shall propose means to prevent, control, or treat identified pollutants and contaminants.

OBJECTIVE 7.3.3: WETLANDS

Protection of natural and man-made wetlands, vernal pools, wet meadows, and riparian areas from impacts related to development for their importance to wildlife habitat, water purification, scenic values, and unique and sensitive plant life.

• Policy 7.3.3.1
  A site specific wetland investigation shall be required on all development projects within those areas identified as wetlands on the Important Biological Resources Map. If it is determined by the presence of hydrophytic plants and wetland hydrology that a wetland may exist in an area not identified on the map, a site-specific investigation shall also be required. This study shall be conducted using the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Program and Manual. The study shall determine the boundaries of all wetland areas that can be classified wetlands under the Corps of Engineers' definition.
• Policy 7.3.3.2
  All feasible project modification shall be considered to avoid wetland disturbance. Direct or indirect losses of wetlands and/or riparian vegetation associated with discretionary application approval shall be compensated by replacement, rehabilitation, or creation of a wetlands habitat on a no-net-loss basis. Compensation may result in provision of wetlands habitat on- or off-site at a minimum of a 1:1 ratio as associated with the disturbed resource. A wetland study and mitigation monitoring program shall be submitted to the County and concerned State and Federal agencies for review prior to permit approval.

OBJECTIVE 7.3.4: DRAINAGE

Protection and utilization of natural drainage patterns.

• Policy 7.3.4.1
  Natural watercourses shall be integrated into new development in such a way that they enhance the aesthetic and natural character of the site without disturbance.
• Policy 7.3.4.2
  Modification of natural stream beds and flow shall be regulated to ensure that adequate mitigation measures are utilized.

OBJECTIVE 7.3.5: WATER CONSERVATION

Conservation of water resources, encouragement of water conservation, and construction of wastewater disposal systems designed to reclaim and re-use treated wastewater on agricultural crops and for other irrigation and wildlife enhancement projects.

• Policy 7.3.5.1
  Drought-tolerant plant species, where feasible, shall be used for landscaping of commercial development. Where the use of drought-tolerant native plant species is feasible, they should be used instead of non-native plant species.
• Policy 7.3.5.2
  A list of appropriate local indigenous drought tolerant plant materials shall be maintained by the County Planning Department and made available to the public.
• Policy 7.3.5.3
  The County Parks and Recreation Division shall use drought tolerant landscaping for all new parks and park improvement projects.
• Policy 7.3.5.4
  Require efficient water conveyance systems in new construction. Establish a program of ongoing conversion of open ditch systems shall be considered for conversion to closed conduits, reclaimed water supplies, or both, as circumstances permit.
• Policy 7.3.5.5
  Encourage water reuse programs to conserve raw or potable water supplies consistent with State Law.

CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES

Identify, conserve, and manage wildlife, wildlife habitat, fisheries, and vegetation resources of significant biological, ecological, and recreational value.

OBJECTIVE 7.4.1: RARE, THREATENED, AND ENDANGERED SPECIES

The County shall protect State and Federally recognized rare, threatened, or endangered species and their habitats consistent with Federal and State laws.

• Policy 7.4.1.1
  The eight sensitive plant species known as the Pine Hill endemics and their habitats (specifically identified gabbro and serpentine soils) shall be protected in perpetuity through the establishment of five preserve sites. These preserve sites are integrated into the County's overall open space plan. Components of this program include but are not limited to:
1. Coordination with the State Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other appropriate agencies.
2. Development of mechanisms for the establishment of preserve site(s) such as clustered development, transfers of development rights, mitigation banking, and conservation easements.
3. Development of programs with the Department of Fish and Game to fund the purchase of fee title acquisition, conservation easements, and operations and maintenance of preserve sites.
4. Establishment of guidelines for development of site-specific management, maintenance, and monitoring plans for preserve sites that will be held in private ownership.
(Res. No. 57-98; 3/24/98)

• Policy 7.4.1.2
  Private land for preserve sites will only be purchased from willing sellers.
• Policy 7.4.1.3
  Limit land uses within established preserve areas to activities deemed compatible. Such uses may include passive recreation, research and scientific study, and education. In conjunction with use as passive recreational areas, develop a rare plant educational and interpretive program.
• Policy 7.4.1.4
  Proposed rare, threatened, or endangered species preserves, as approved by the County Board of Supervisors, shall be designated Ecological Preserve (-EP) overlay on the General Plan land use map.
• Policy 7.4.1.5
  Species, habitat, and natural community preservation/conservation strategies shall be prepared to protect special status plant and animal species and natural communities and habitats when discretionary development is proposed on lands with such resources unless it is determined that those resources exist, and either are or can be protected, on public lands or private Natural Resource lands.
• Policy 7.4.1.6
  Where substantial modification of natural communities and habitats of special status plant and animal species through grading or other disturbances occur in anticipation of or prior to either the submittal and/or approval of a formal discretionary application, that application shall be accompanied with a comprehensive habitat restoration and/or off-site mitigation plan. The provisions of the plan shall be implemented as part of the project approval.

OBJECTIVE 7.4.2: IDENTIFY AND PROTECT RESOURCES

Identification and protection, where feasible, of critical fish and wildlife habitat including deer winter, summer, and fawning ranges; deer migration routes; stream and river riparian habitat; lake shore habitat; fish spawning areas; wetlands; wildlife corridors; and diverse wildlife habitat.

• Policy 7.4.2.1
  To the extent feasible in light of other General Plan policies and to the extent permitted by State law, the County of El Dorado will protect identified critical fish and wildlife habitat, as identified on the Important Biological Resources Map maintained at the Planning Department, through any of the following techniques: utilization of open space, Natural Resource land use designation, clustering, large lot design, setbacks, etc.
• Policy 7.4.2.2
  Where critical wildlife areas and migration corridors are identified during review of projects, the County shall protect the resources from degradation by requiring all portions of the project site that contain or influence said areas to be retained as non-disturbed natural areas through mandatory clustered development on suitable portions of the project site or other means such as density transfers if clustering cannot be achieved. The setback distance for designated or protected migration corridors shall be determined as part of the project's environmental analysis. The intent and emphasis of the Open Space land use designation and of the non-disturbance policy is to ensure continued viability of contiguous or interdependent habitat areas and the preservation of all movement corridors between related habitats. The intent of mandatory clustering is to provide a mechanism for natural resource protection while allowing appropriate development of private property.
• Policy 7.4.2.3
  Consistent with Policy 9.1.3.1 of the Parks and Recreation Element, low impact uses such as trails and linear parks may be provided within river and stream buffers if all applicable mitigation measures are incorporated into the design.
• Policy 7.4.2.4
  Establish and manage wildlife habitat corridors within public parks and natural resource protection areas to allow for wildlife use. Recreational uses within these areas shall be limited to those activities that do not require grading or vegetation removal.
• Policy 7.4.2.5
  Setbacks from all rivers, streams, and lakes shall be included in the Zoning Ordinance for all ministerial and discretionary development projects.
• Policy 7.4.2.6
  El Dorado County Biological Community Conservation Plans shall be required to protect, to the extent feasible, rare, threatened, and endangered plant species only when existing Federal or State plans for non-jurisdictional areas do not provide adequate protection because the species in question do not occur in significant numbers in non-jurisdictional areas.
• Policy 7.4.2.7
  The County shall form a Plant and Wildlife Technical Advisory Committee to advise the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors on plant and wildlife issues, and the committee should be formed of local experts who will consult with other experts with special expertise on various plant and wildlife issues, including representatives of regulatory agencies. The Committee shall formulate objectives which will be reviewed by the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.

OBJECTIVE 7.4.3: COORDINATION WITH APPROPRIATE AGENCIES

Coordination of wildlife and vegetation protection programs with appropriate Federal and State agencies.

OBJECTIVE 7.4.4: FOREST AND OAK WOODLAND RESOURCES

Protect and conserve forest and woodland resources for their wildlife habitat, recreation, water production, domestic livestock grazing, production of a sustainable flow of wood products, and aesthetic values.

• Policy 7.4.4.1
  The Natural Resource land use designation shall be used to protect important forest resources from uses incompatible with timber harvesting.
• Policy 7.4.4.2
  Through the review of discretionary projects, the County, consistent with any limitations imposed by State law, shall encourage the protection, planting, restoration, and regeneration of native trees in new developments and within existing communities.
• Policy 7.4.4.3
  Utilize the clustering of development to retain the largest contiguous areas possible in wildland (undeveloped) status.
• Policy 7.4.4.4
  The County shall apply tree canopy coverage standards to discretionary permit review applicable to oak woodland habitats. Parcels having canopy cover by trees of at least 10 percent, as determined from base line aerial photography or by site survey performed by a qualified licensed arborist or botanist, are subject to canopy coverage retention or replacement standards:

Existing Canopy Cover	Percent of Canopy Cover to be Retained or Replaced
80 - 100 percent	.60 of existing canopy
60 - 79 percent	.70 of existing canopy
40 - 59 percent	.80 of existing canopy
20 - 39 percent	.85 of existing canopy
19 percent or less	.90 of existing canopy
Specific standards shall be included in the Zoning Ordinance.

• Policy 7.4.4.5
  Where existing individual or a group of oak trees are lost within a stand, a corridor of oak trees shall be retained that maintains continuity between all portions of the stand. The retained corridor shall have a tree density that is equal to the density of the stand.

OBJECTIVE 7.4.5: NATIVE VEGETATION AND LANDMARK TREES

Protect and maintain native trees including oaks and landmark and heritage trees.

• Policy 7.4.5.1
  A tree survey, preservation, and replacement plan shall be required to be filed with the County prior to issuance of a grading permit for discretionary permits on all high-density residential, multifamily residential, commercial, and industrial projects. To ensure that proposed replacement trees survive, a mitigation monitoring plan should be incorporated into discretionary projects when applicable and shall include provisions for necessary replacement of trees.
• Policy 7.4.5.2
  The County shall require, as a condition of development approval for Commercial, industrial, and multifamily residential uses, that at a minimum 50 percent of the proposed landscaping is consistent with the predominant plant community and fits the natural vegetation native to the area. Exotic or introduced plant species not consistent with the plant community in which proposed development is located shall be discouraged.

PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL RESOURCES

Ensure the preservation of the County's important cultural resources.

OBJECTIVE 7.5.1: PROTECTION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE

Creation of an identification and preservation program for the County's cultural resources.

• Policy 7.5.1.1
  The County shall include a Cultural Resources section in the Zoning Ordinance to address effective inventory, preservation, protection, and management of prehistoric and historic resources and to establish cultural and historic resource review procedures. Cultural resources include archaeological landscapes, sites, structures, features, artifacts, and/or areas of ethnic and religious importance. The ordinance shall include, but is not limited, to the following components:
1. Development of project review guidelines including the requirement for consultation with local Native American groups;
2. Invitation to volunteer Native American monitors on all field surveys, test and salvage excavations, and site grading work;
3. Development of guidelines and methods for treatment of cultural resources (including preservation methods such as establishment of setbacks from identified sites, use of conservation easements, etc.); and
4. Utilization of National Register Criteria for Evaluation to aid in determining the significance of historic and prehistoric resources in the County.

• Policy 7.5.1.2
  Reports and/or maps identifying specific locations of archaeological or historical sites shall be kept confidential in the Planning Department but shall be disclosed where applicable.
• Policy 7.5.1.3
  Cultural resource studies shall be conducted prior to approval of discretionary projects. Studies may include, but are not limited to, record searches through the North Central Information Center at California State University, Sacramento, field surveys, subsurface testing, and/or salvage excavations. The avoidance and protection of sites shall be encouraged.
• Policy 7.5.1.4
  Promote the registration of historic districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects in the National Register of Historic Places and inclusion in the California State Office of Historic Preservation's California Points of Historic Interest and California Inventory of Historic Resources.
• Policy 7.5.1.5
  A Cultural Resources Preservation Commission shall be formed to aid in the protection and preservation of the County's important cultural resources. The Commission's duties shall include, but are not limited to:
1. Assisting in the formulation of policies for the identification, treatment, and protection of cultural resources (including historic cemeteries) and the curation of any artifacts collected during field collection/excavation;
2. Assisting in preparation of a cultural resources inventory (to include prehistoric sites and historic sites and structures of local importance);
3. Reviewing all projects with identified cultural resources and making recommendations on appropriate forms of protection and mitigation; and
4. Reviewing sites for possible inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places, California Register, and other State and local lists of cultural properties.

The County shall request to become a Certified Local Government (CLG) through the State Office of Historic Preservation. Certification would qualify the County for grants to aid in historic preservation projects. The Cultural Resources Preservation Commission could serve as the Commission required for the CLG program.

OBJECTIVE 7.5.2: VISUAL INTEGRITY

Maintenance of the visual integrity of historic resources.

• Policy 7.5.2.1
  Create Historic Design Control Districts for areas, places, sites, structures, or uses which have special historic significance.
• Policy 7.5.2.2
  Develop historic design guidelines for use in each Historic Design Control Combining Zone District that may be designated.
• Policy 7.5.2.3
  New buildings and reconstruction in historic communities shall generally conform to the types of architecture prevalent in the gold mining areas of California during the period 1850 to 1910.
• Policy 7.5.2.4
  Any historic building in a Historic Design Control Combining District, or any building in any other area of the County which is designated on the National or California Register of Historic Places, or any structure qualifying as a California Building of Historic Interest, or any County designated historic site, shall not be torn down, demolished, destroyed, altered, removed, expanded, improved or otherwise changed in exterior appearance without a design review. Preservation of such structures shall be encouraged.
• Policy 7.5.2.5
  In cases where the County permits the demolition or alteration of an historic building, such alteration or new construction (subsequent to demolition) shall be required to maintain the character of the historic building or replicate its historic features.
• Policy 7.5.2.6
  The County, in cooperation with the State, shall identify the viewshed of Coloma State Park and establish guidelines to be used for development within the viewshed. In addition, the County shall continue to support the relocation of State Route 49 to bypass the Park in order to protect its visual and physical integrity.

OBJECTIVE 7.5.3: RECOGNITION OF PREHISTORIC/HISTORIC RESOURCES

Recognition of the value of the County's prehistoric and historic resources to residents, tourists, and the economy of the County, and promotion of public access and enjoyment of prehistoric and historic resources where appropriate.

OBJECTIVE 7.5.4: PROTECTION OF CEMETERIES

Identification, preservation, and protection of existing cemeteries including access and parking.

• Policy 7.5.4.1
  Protect access routes and parking at existing cemeteries. Development proposals will be evaluated to ensure that they do not interfere with cemeteries or their access and parking.

PRESERVATION OF OPEN SPACE

Conserve open space land for the continuation of the County's rural character, commercial agriculture, forestry and other productive uses, the enjoyment of scenic beauty and recreation, the protection of natural resources, for protection from natural hazards, and for wildlife habitat.

OBJECTIVE 7.6.1: IMPORTANCE OF OPEN SPACE

Consideration of open space as an important factor in the County's quality of life.

• Policy 7.6.1.1
  The General Plan land use map shall include an Open Space land use designation. The purpose of this designation is to implement the goals and objectives of the Land Use and the Conservation and Open Space Elements by serving one or more of the purposes stated below. In addition, the designations on the land use map for Rural Residential and Natural Resource areas are also intended to implement said goals and objectives. Primary purposes of open space include:
1. Conserving natural resource areas required for the conservation of plant and animal life including habitat for fish and wildlife species; areas required for ecologic and other scientific study purposes; rivers, streams, banks of rivers and streams and watershed lands;
2. Conserving natural resource lands for the managed production of resources including forest products, rangeland, agricultural lands important to the production of food and fiber; and areas containing important mineral deposits;
3. Maintaining areas of importance for outdoor recreation including areas of outstanding scenic, historic and cultural value; areas particularly suited for park and recreation purposes including those providing access to lake shores, beaches and rivers and streams; and areas which serve as links between major recreation and open space reservations including utility easements, banks of rivers and streams, trails and scenic highway corridors;
4. Delineating open space for public health and safety including, but not limited to, areas which require special management or regulation because of hazardous or special conditions such as earthquake fault zones, unstable soil areas, flood plains, watersheds, areas presenting high fire risks, areas required for the protection of water quality and water reservoirs, and areas required for the protection and enhancement of air quality; and
5. Providing for open spaces to create buffers which may be landscaped to minimize the adverse impact of one land use on another.

• Policy 7.6.1.2
  The County will provide for Open Space lands through:
1. The designation of land as Open Space;
2. The designation of land for low-intensity land uses as provided in the Rural Residential and Natural Resource land use designations;
3. Local implementation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Flood Insurance Program;
4. Local implementation of the State Land Conservation Act Program; and
5. Open space land set aside through Planned Developments (PDs).

• Policy 7.6.1.3
  The County shall implement Policy 7.6.1.1 through zoning regulations and the administration thereof. It is intended that certain districts and certain requirements in zoning regulations carry out the purposes set forth in Policy 7.6.1.1 as follows:
1. The Open Space (OS) Zoning District is consistent with and shall implement the Open Space designation of the General Plan land use map and all other land use designations.
2. The Agricultural (A), Exclusive Agricultural (AE), Planned Agricultural (PA), Select Agricultural (SA-10), and Timberland Production Zone (TPZ) zoning districts are consistent with Policy 7.6.1.1 and serve one or more of the purposes set forth therein.
3. Zoning regulations shall provide for setbacks from all flood plains, streams, lakes, rivers and canals to maintain Purposes A, B, C, and D set forth in Policy 7.6.1.1.
4. Zoning regulations shall provide for maintenance of permanent open space in residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and residential agricultural zone districts based on standards established in those provisions of the County Code. The regulations shall minimize impacts on wetlands, flood plains, streams, lakes, rivers, canals, and slopes in excess of 30 percent and shall maintain Purposes A, B, C, and D in Policy 7.6.1.1.
5. Landscaping requirements in zoning regulations shall provide for vegetative buffers between incompatible land uses in order to maintain Purpose E in Policy 7.6.1.1.
6. Zoning regulations shall provide for Mineral Resource Combining Zone Districts and/or other appropriate mineral zoning categories which shall be applied to lands found to contain important mineral deposits if development of the resource can occur in compliance with all other policies of the General Plan. Those regulations shall maintain Purposes A, B, C, D, and E of Policy 7.6.1.1.