El Dorado County Biological Resources Policy Update, Oak Resources Management Plan and Ordinance

El Dorado County is updating its Oak Resources Conservation ordinance, Chapter 130.39, to improve clarity, enhance usability, and align with state and local fire safety regulations. Key revisions include a revised definition of Heritage Tree to better accommodate multi-trunked oaks, updated exemptions for fire safety projects, insurance-related activities, and single-family parcels, and the establishment of an administrative permit process for developments impacting oaks. Mitigation fee calculations have been clarified to ensure consistent application, and the changes are tied to updates in the County’s General Plan policies and the Oak Resources Management Plan for unincorporated areas, excluding the Tahoe Basin. These amendments are part of a broader environmental compliance effort governed by the California Environmental Quality Act, which requires preparation of an Environmental Impact Report, adoption of mitigation measures, and a statement of overriding considerations to justify the project’s approval despite potential significant environmental impacts. The project is administratively managed by the El Dorado County Planning & Building Department, with environmental compliance filings processed through the County Clerk’s Office in Placerville and the State Clearinghouse in Sacramento. Required documentation includes a Notice of Determination, certified Environmental Impact Report, CDFW No Effect Determination, and proof of payment for environmental filing fees totaling $3,128.25 plus a $50 documentary handling fee. All submissions must be physical, paper-based copies with original signatures, and no electronic submissions are accepted. Payment for fees is to be remitted to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in Sacramento, while the County serves as the lead agency for environmental review and oversight. There is no formal contract value, solicitation number, or federal acquisition regulation framework applicable; the process operates entirely under state and local environmental law, with no procurement elements such as evaluation factors, contract types, or contractor performance metrics identified. The amendments are scheduled to be formally adopted following the July 22, 2025, approval date, with public posting on July 28, 2025.