A city (or county) is not an accident but the result of coherent visions and aims

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Intent of Analysis
Recommended Data
Compliance with 
total maximum daily load (TMDL) regulations
Current loads, expected project impact
Harbors and Fisheries
Requirement Description:
The harbors and fisheries requirement addresses the development and improvement of port, harbor, and waterway facilities. This 
issue has significant overlap with the 
circulation element
, and may be combined with it at the local government’s discretion. 
Policies in general plans should be consistent with harbor and port master plans developed under the 
California Coastal Act 
(
Pub. Resources Code § 30000 et seq.
). 
Fisheries are an important 
component 
of California’s economy, and their careful management ensures their viability into 
the future. Possible topics to address in the fisheries section include evaluation of existing and projected future water quality; 
temperature; sources of contaminants in bodies of water used for subsistence, recreational, and commercial fishing; expected 
impacts of 
climate change
 on habitat and 
fisheries
 and policies that protect and rehabilitate those water bodies; existence and 
purpose of marine protected areas (MPAs); and preservation of riparian, tidal, and wetland habitat connected to waterways. 
Wildlife
Requirement Description:
California is home to a diverse array of wildlife, and the conservation element should provide plans for the protection and 
preservation of these populations and their habitats. This must include wildlife that is classified as a rare, threatened, or 
endangered species under state and federal law (
Fish & G. Code § 2050 et seq.
; 
16 U.S.C. § 1531
). Planning for wildlife 
habitats should account for current habitats, health of wildlife, projected changes in such habitat due to climate change, 
wildlife conservation, furthering responsible development and addressing the needs of a growing human population, 
developed, served, controlled, managed, or conserved water of any type for any purpose in the county or city for which the plan 
is prepared,” and must include any information on water supply and demand prepared pursuant to 
Government Code section 
65352.5
 (
Gov. Code § 65302(d)(1)
). Topics to address include identification of existing and potential water pollution sources, 
the benefits that water resources provide to the community, opportunities for protection and restoration, and identification of 
water sources for which reclamation is feasible. Policies should take into account the impacts of future development on water 
bodies and aim to protect or improve water quality. Preservation of flood plains and innovative methods of flood control, such as 
making “room for the river,” can have positive benefits for related elements of the plan. Certain areas may also be important for 
groundwater recharge.
Rivers, lakes, streams, bays, harbors, estuaries, marshes, and reservoirs might be affected by climate change impacts such as 
decreased snow pack, changes in precipitation, and sea level rise. Cities and counties should consider taking these projected 
impacts into account when planning for the protection of their water bodies.

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habitat connectivity and potential threats to such habitat from development pressures, fragmentation and edge effects. The 
conservation element’s focus on wildlife should be consistent with the 
State Wildlife Action Plan
, 
California Essential Habitat 
Connectivity Project
, 
Regional Advance Mitigation Plans
, conservation plans developed by the state and regional entities, Habitat 
Conservation Plans (e.g. 
California Endangered Species Act (CESA)
, 
California Environmental Quality Act Review (CEQA)
, 
Lake 
and Streambed Alteration Program (LSA)
, 
Timberland Conservation Program
, 
Natural Community Conservation Planning 
(NCCP)
, 
Conservation and Mitigation Banking
, 
Invasive Species Program
, 
Native Plant Program
) and other management plans, 
and should include coordination with other government agencies involved in wildlife preservation. Due to the considerable 
overlap between habitat lands and agricultural lands, multiple benefits for wildlife and agriculture may be gained by 
coordinating conservation plans and strategies. The 
California Agriculture Vision Document
 highlights relationships between 
habitat and agricultural conservation, and presents strategies for the conservation of both. 
The 
Marine Life Protection Act of 1999 (MLPA)
 recognized the need to safeguard the long-term health of California’s marine 
life. By establishing a statewide network of 
marine protected areas (MPAs)
 designed, created, and managed using sound science 
and stakeholder input, MLPA aimed to protect the diversity and abundance of marine life, the habitats they depend on, and the 
integrity of marine ecosystems in California. MPAs are named, discrete geographic marine or estuarine areas designed to protect 
or conserve marine life and habitat. Potential interactions between MPAs and planned land uses may affect wildlife, harbors 
and fisheries, and other considerations related to conservation and
 open space
 in some communities. Cities and counties should 
consult the interactive 
MarineBIOS map
 available from the
 Department of Fish and Wildlife
, or the 
General Plan Mapping Tool
 
to examine MPAs around their communities. 
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Intent of Analysis
Recommended Data
Identify specific tools and approaches to restore natural areas to benefit 
fish and wildlife as part of a sustainable flood management plan
DWR Conservation Strategy
Project impacts on critical habitat for listed species
Map of critical habitats
Analysis of existing conservation projects
SGC Review of Conservation lands
Minerals and Other Natural Resources
Requirement Description:
According to 
California Public Resources Code section 2005
, minerals “means any naturally occurring chemical element or 
compound, or groups of elements and compounds, formed from inorganic processes and organic substances, including, but 
not limited to, coal, peat, and bituminous rock, but excluding geothermal resources, natural gas, and petroleum.” While not 
explicitly required, local governments may also want to consider geothermal, petroleum, and natural gas in their assessment of 
mineral resources as appropriate. The minerals section should locate and inventory mineral resources designated by the 
State 
Mining and Geology Board
 under the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (
Pub. Resources Code § 2710 et seq.
), and include 
polices that plan for the protection, use, and development of mineral resources.  This section should also locate and plan for the 
protection, use and development of rock, sand and gravel resources, one of the optional issues listed in 
Government Code section 
65302(d)(2)
 if those resources are found in the jurisdiction.

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