​​​​GHG-15

Implement the South Sacramento Habitat Conservation Plan

Mea​sure

With this measure, the County will continue its commitment to conserve and enhance its natural lands identified in the South Sacramento Habitat Conservation Plan (SSHCP). The County aims to understand and improve the carbon sequestration potential of these lands, and the County will partner with the South Sacramento Conservation Agency to perform a carbon sequestration capacity analysis and incorporate new carbon sequestration estimates in future updates to the County’s GHG inventory.

This measure was deemed not quantifiable because it is not known what development, if any, could take place on these lands that would be avoided by this preservation measure. Additionally, actions to increase carbon sequestration on agricultural and open space lands are already captured and quantified under Measure GHG-01 (Carbon Farming), and sufficient data was not available to avoid potential double counting.

​Actio​​ns

Action GHG-15-a: Continue implementation of the SSHCP to protect and enhance wetlands (primarily vernal pools), upland habitats, and agricultural lands within the conservation area. Status: Ongoing.


Action GHG-15-b: Perform a carbon sequestration capacity analysis to understand the baseline carbon storage and sinks associated with lands covered under the SSHCP, and how preservation, restoration, and management activities under the implementation of the SSHCP may act to increase carbon sequestration potential in these lands. The analysis should also identify data that can be collected from the South Sacramento Conservation Agency annual implementation reports to calculate the carbon sequestration potential of SSHCP implementation activities for countywide GHG inventory updates. Status: Not Started.


Action GHG-15-c: Coordinate with the South Sacramento Conservation Agency to annually track the acres of lands conserved under the implementation of the SSHCP. Also, collect data to calculate additional carbon sequestration potential associated with activities performed each year for inclusion in GHG inventory updates, after a carbon sequestration capacity analysis has been completed. Status: Ongoing.

​Stat​us of Impleme​ntation

The South Sacramento Conservation Agency is a joint powers authority that oversees the implementation of the South Sacramento Habitat Conservation Plan (SSHCP) including the acquisition of land or easements to form the SSHCP preserve system; implementation of proposals for restoration of species habitat and aquatic resources; formation of management and monitoring plans to maintain the preserve system; and ensuring compliance with the conditions of the SSHCP and associated permits.    

The County coordinates with the SSHCP JPA and will utilize information provided by the JPA to include estimated sequestration values for SSHCP preserves in the next County GHG Inventory which is scheduled to report on year 2024. The year 2021 County GHG inventory is available online. 

 Updated 7/5/24.​


​​​​​​​​Started

The efforts for this measure have begun. ​​

​Obj​ectives

Implement the South Sacramento Habitat Conservation Plan.