Why the Placer County Conservation Program?

Placer County has a wealth of natural resources and open space areas that make the county a desirable place to live, work and visit.  Most public and private development projects and corresponding mitigation to compensate for loss of wetlands -- such as providing land or implementing restoration activities -- require permits from state and federal agencies.  Currently, these permits are handled on a case-by-case basis, making it difficult for public agencies and private landowners to anticipate costs, and schedule projects and mitigation activities with any level of certainty.  The uncertainty often impacts project schedules resulting in higher costs and piecemeal, uncoordinated mitigation.

The proposed Placer County Conservation Program (PCCP) is designed to ensure that land will be managed to support the survival and well-being of covered species, as well as hundreds of other species that are dependent on the same habitat. ​

Key PCCP Benefits

• Preserves a large portion of west Placer County's natural habitat and agricultural land for future generations.
• Establishes a long-term footprint for growth and conservation.
• Streamlines federal and state permitting on public and private development projects.
• ​Drives more decision making on development permits to the local level.
• Creates a large, interconnected reserve system that ensures long-term protection of sensitive species.​​​​
• Provides more certainty regarding costs and required mitigation for proposed projects.

Continued growth expected for Placer County

Strong countywide growth is expected to continue and the population of western Placer County is expected to roughly double by 2065, based on a scenario derived from city and County General Plans, regional demographic projections, and an analysis of existing developed and open land.  In 2014 there were 109,000 residents, 40,000 households and 33,000 jobs in Lincoln and unincorporated western Placer County.  The 50-year growth scenario shows an increase of 93,000 housing units and 91,000 jobs on roughly 30,000 acres of land.  The PCCP minimizes and mitigates the impacts of that growth on covered natural communities and covered species.

Update: Board of Supervisors Adopts Interim In-lieu Fee Program 

​The Placer County Board of Supervisors on Monday, December 4, 2018, voted to adopt an interim in-lieu fee program that can be used to mitigate the impact of development projects on endangered species, wetlands, agriculture and open space in advance of Placer County Conservation Plan Program (PCCP) adoption.

The interim in-lieu fee program will serve as a pilot project and enable a smooth transition if and when the PCCP is adopted.  The program also will encourage coordinated mitigation that advances Placer County's overall conservation strategy. 

PCCP Video