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California
State Parks has several programs that would benefit,
including the Central
Valley Vision that is currently developing park acquisition
and park expansion priorities to address California’s
population growth in the Valley. State Parks does not have access to
comprehensive (detailed) parcel data or updated planning data, such a
land ownership and recreational facilities. These data are important
when determining park acquisitions because they are indicators of cost
and competing future uses. If State Parks had early access to digital,
high-resolution planning data, it could maximize recreational
opportunities for future populations by making better location choices.
Early access to California State Parks’ cultural and
historical resource information would be enhanced (confidential or
sensitive information like specific Native American archeological
sites, would not be available). Governmental entities responsible for
constructing facilities or approving projects under CEQA would have
easy access to this data, which would help them when approving projects
or adopting planning policies, resulting in a reduction in project
approval times and better planning.
The California
Department of Fish and Game (DFG) would benefit from having
an aggregated picture of more locally specific habitat and species
data. This would aid in conservation planning, species recovery
planning and communication with local land-use authorities. DFG has
found that comprehensive, accurate and shared data facilitate
resolution of regulatory requirements and potential conflicts in
land-use decisions, but that suitable data is either not currently
available, or not easily accessed and incorporated into planning
decisions. DFG also has significant duties as a responsible agency
under CEQA. It is difficult to assess the hundreds of EIRs and
thousands of other CEQA documents each year in the context of
generalized state level policy planning data. Access to locally
appropriate resource data would help DFG in its review of projects
under CEQA, facilitating more precise and helpful reviews. DFG was
recently given responsibility for the development of a state wildlife
plan under federal law. The department is currently completing the plan
and California will qualify for substantial conservation funding.
However, the process used by DFG to generate the plan will not sustain
implementation, a major component of which involves collecting,
analyzing, interpreting and distributing data.
Other state agencies would benefit from better access to data that
supports their program needs. However, the GPP is currently focused on
data that improves land use and planning decision and improves
conservation of environmental resources. The GPP tools and data will
help all agencies to interact more effectively with stakeholders,
interest groups, NGO’s and constituents with accurate,
reviewed, scientific information. Easy and early access to the best
available data would lend substantial credibility to the process and
help unite diverse interests in the future planning and protection of
California’s resources.
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The Information Center for the Environment
University of California, Davis
1 Shields Ave
Davis, Ca 9516
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