San Mateo County

The San Mateo County LCP, approved 5 December, 1980, was the first county LCP to be certified by the Commission. As one of the earliest plans, it has often been held up as a model for its resource protection policies. The riparian protection policies are especially strong:

Definition of Riparian Corridors

Define riparian corridors by the "limit of riparian vegetation" (i.e., a line determined by the association of plant and animal species normally found near streams, lakes and other bodies of freshwater: red alder, jaumea, pickleweed, big leaf maple, narrowleaf cattail, arroyo willow, broadleaf cattail, horsetail, creek dogwood, black cottonwood, and box elder). Such a corridor must contain at least a 50% cover of some combination of the plants listed.

Designation of Riparian Corridors

Establish riparian corridors for all perennial and intermittent streams and lakes and other bodies of freshwater in the Coastal Zone. Designate those corridors shown on the Sensitive Habitats Map and any other riparian area meeting the definition of Policy 7.7 as sensitive habitats requiring protection, except for man-made irrigation ponds over 2,500 square feet surface area.

Permitted Uses in Riparian Corridors

a. Within corridors, permit only the following uses: (1) education and research, (2) consumptive uses as provided for in the Fish and Game Code and Title 14 of the California Administrative Code, (3) fish and wildlife management activities, (4) trails and scenic overlooks on public land(s), and (5) necessary water supply projects.

b. When no feasible or practicable alternative exists, permit the following uses: (1) stream dependent aquaculture provided that non-stream dependent facilities locate outside of corridor, (2) flood control projects where no other method for protecting existing structures in the flood plain is feasible and where protection is necessary for public safety or to protect existing development, (3) bridges when supports are not in significant conflict with corridor resources, (4) pipelines, (5) repair or

maintenance of roadways or road crossings, (5) logging operations which are limited to temporary skid trails, stream crossings, roads and landings in accordance with State and County timber harvesting regulations, and (7) agricultural uses, provided no existing riparian vegetation is removed, and no soil is allowed to enter stream channels (San Mateo County 1980).

The plan also contained extensive policies on performance standards in riparian corridors, establishment of buffer zones, and permitted uses and performance standards in buffer zones. These policies form the basis of the County's LCP ordinances and are now being applied to new development in the coastal portion of San Mateo County.