Permit Sonoma unveils plan to balance local environment and development needs

photo credit: Noah Abrams/KRCB

Vineyards roll into the forested ridge lines bounding Sonoma County’s

Alexander Valley north of Healdsburg.

Sonoma County says it wants to speed up building permits and protect endangered species all under one big plan called Conservation Sonoma.

Permit Sonoma and local cities are working with state and federal wildlife agencies on the long-term effort to protect habitats, while streamlining permits for developments such as housing, said John Mack.

“I would describe as, you’re balancing protection of the species and the natural habitats with sensible development that’s not overwhelmed by bureaucracy,” Mack said.

Mack is the natural resources division manager for Permit Sonoma.

Mack also said that they plan to consult with local tribes about the habitat conservation planning process.

“The goal actually is that we would have talked and involved the tribes and collaborate with them all along,” Mack said. “So that by the time we get to formal consultation, there’s no surprises.”

Not everyone’s sold though. Some environmental advocates worry it could make it easier to approve projects that damage sensitive habitats.

Sonoma County is home to multiple threatened and endangered flora and fauna species like California tiger salamanders, red-legged frogs, and the Sonoma Sunshine wetland flower.

A draft of the planning agreement is now open for public comment through Wednesday, June 25th and the county is forming a public advisory committee to help shape Conservation Sonoma’s next steps.