HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN

United Water Conservation District is in the process of developing a multiple species habitat conservation plan (MSHCP or HCP) for an improved fish passage facility and future operations at the Freeman Diversion facility (See HCP Associated Documents below).

United is preparing the HCP as part of its application package to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for an incidental take permit (ITP), under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). In addition to a federal ITP application, United is developing an ITP application package to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) in accordance with Fish and Game Code Section 2081(b) under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).”

United’s goal is to implement renovations to the Freeman Diversion Facility and operations in accordance with the ESA and CESA while ensuring sufficient water remains available for managing groundwater aquifers.

Freeman Diversion Dam

GENERAL HCP INFORMATION

Working closely with NMFS, USFWS, and CDFW, United is developing conservation measures that will minimize and mitigate the effects of United’s operations and maintenance activities at the Freeman Diversion on the seven species covered in the HCP. To meet issuance criteria for an ITP, an HCP must contain conservation measures that minimize and mitigate the effects of the covered activities on the covered species to the maximum extent practicable.

The conservation measures that United is proposing include constructing and operating an improved fish passage facility and modified water diversions. When completed and approved, United’s HCP and associated ITP will allow United to carry out its vital activities while becoming a partner in conserving numerous species. United is seeking a 50-year permit term for its HCP.

Species Proposed for Coverage Under the Habitat Conservation Plan
SPECIES	FEDERAL STATUS	STATE STATUS	Critical habitat present in the MSHCP Area*
Southern California steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss)	E	E	Yes
Tidewater goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi)	E	SSC	Yes
Least Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus)	E	E	No
Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus)	E	E	Yes
Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus)	None	None	No
Western pond turtle (Emys marmorata)	PT	SSC	No
Western yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus occidentalis)	T	E	No
E = Endangered, T = Threatened, PT = Preposed Threatened, SSC = California Species of Special Concern, FP = Fully Protected *Critical habitat for a threatened or endangered species, as designated by NMFS or USFWS under section 4 of the ESA, is or is not present in the MSHCP covered area