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4.9 Biological Resources San Joaquin County Multi-Species Habitat Conservation and Open Space Plan 6. The San Joaquin County Multi-Species Habitat Conservation and Open Space Plan (SJMSCP) (San Joaquin Council of Governments, 2000)provides a strategy for balancing the need to ` conserve open space and the need to convert open space to non-open space use while providing for the long-term management of plant, fish and wildlife species. Special emphasis is given to species that are currently listed, or may be listed in the future under the FESA or the CESA. The ` SJMSCP is a 50-year plan and will be in effect until the year 2049.The SJMSCP is implemented by a Joint Powers Authority (JPA). The JPA is responsible for conducting all required preconstruction surveys, informing an applicant of"Incidental Take"minimization measures, ` confirming that"Incidental Take" minimization measures have been implemented prior to site- disturbance, and collecting development fees. Development fees are determined by the type and area of habitat converted to development. The SJMSCP covers Incidental Take that occurs in mining areas classified by the Division of Mines and Geology as MRZ-2 zones. Areas not zoned MRZ-2 may be covered if the Take meets r the criteria for a minor revision [Sections 8.2.1, 8.8.3(45)],i.e., it will not introduce significant . new biological conditions into the SJMSCP's Plan area or conservation program or result in significant new or different environmental impacts. Otherwise,coverage may be obtained through ` a minor amendment [Section 8.8.4(D)] or major amendment pursuant to Section 8.8.5(I). This coverage depends on the extent of the anticipated impacts to biological resources. The SJMSCP includes provisions for comprehensive compensation, avoidance,and minimization of impacts to r threatened,endangered, rare, and other unlisted SJMSCP covered species. Permitted activities may be undertaken pursuant to the SJMSCP only by Project Proponents operating within the ` jurisdictional boundaries of the SJMSCP. Participation in the SJMSCP is voluntary for local jurisdictions and independent project r proponents, and allows a participant to conduct permitted activities that result in or may result in "Incidental Take"of listed species covered by the plan. Participation in the plan may facilitate or expedite the approval of development projects since participants would avoid having to obtain him required permits or authorizations directly from the regulating agencies.The JPA has obtained permits and authorizations for the conversion of a predetermined amount of habitat to development,and a participant in the SJMSCP would be covered by these permits and authorizations. The SJMSCP covers 97 special status plant,fish,and wildlife species in five designated zones. Within San Joaquin County, the project is located entirely within the Central-Southwest Transition Zone. All special-status species with a medium to high potential to occur in the project ` area are covered under the SJMSCP(see Table 4.9.1). San Joaquin County General Plan 2010 ,. The County General Plan addresses preservation of open space, agricultural lands,extractive resources, air quality, water resources and quality, vegetation, fish,and wildlife habitat. Policies and implementation measures delineated in the General Plan provide guidelines for balancing the r RMC Pacific vemafs Quarry Mining and Reclamation Project 4.9-11 ESA 1203015 Draft Environmental Impact Report May 2006