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Dave Stencil - ERCD Progress Report . doc Page 3 <br /> 3 <br /> Action Strategy 5 - c ) Track progress toward sustainability with annual reports to the <br /> community . <br /> Action Strategy 5 - 1 d ) Use the indicators to help determine effectiveness of current policies <br /> and identify needed policy changes . <br /> Action Strategy 5 -2a ) Examine status and trends of each natural resource based on a small <br /> number of key indicators . <br /> Action Strategy 5 -2b ) Establish a general guide of standards and criteria based on resource <br /> limits that will help to define parameters of sustainability in Orange County , <br /> Action Strategy 5 -4f) Have all local governments join the Cities for Climate Protection <br /> Campaign , <br /> Action Strategy 5 - 5a ) Institute a countywide program administered at the county level to <br /> promote concepts of sustainability and educate the public on sustainability . <br /> Environment and Land Use Goal 2 : Conserve Natural Areas , Farmland and Other <br /> Important Open Space <br /> Action Strategy ENV -2 - 1 ) Use the Lands Legacy program to develop a comprehensive <br /> countywide Natural Areas Conservation /Open Space Plan . That addresses the following : <br /> a ) A program to protect important natural areas . <br /> • ERCD has hired a consultant to update existing natural area inventory <br /> documentation to be used as the base of a new Natural Areas Element to the <br /> Comprehensive Plan . Once the Element is completed, ERCD staff can massage <br /> its existing natural areas/open space plan . <br /> b ) Identify and protect the most important prime farmlands . <br /> • ERCD GIS staff have prepared maps identifying prime farmlands based on soil <br /> productivity standards. Staff are currently drafting new maps delineating active <br /> farmlands based on aerial information from the Soil and Water Conservation <br /> District. These new maps will serve as the basis for the APB to determine <br /> agricultural priority areas to concentrate the farmland protection component of <br /> our Lands Legacy program . <br /> c ) Recognize that open space needs vary in different parts of the county . <br /> • ERCD staff are working with Planning GIS staff to include population or density <br /> information as well as the existing district and community service area system <br /> when determining county open space and parkland needs. <br /> d ) Set annual goals as benchmarks for preservation of certain natural areas and wildlife <br /> habitat ( x acres /years ) . <br /> • Since its inception, ERCD has been using the Lands Legacy program as its main <br /> tool to increase the amount of acreage dedicated for natural areas and wildlife <br /> L :`•.i"inaLSOCF` ERCL Fr,i� rcss:5 Rtpiri . �Jc;�' <br />