- Home
- Departments
- Community Development
- Major Development Projects
- Palos Verdes Nature Preserve NCCP & PUMP Homepage
Natural Communities Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan (NCCP/HCP) Homepage
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes contains one of California’s 21 Natural Communities Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan (NCCP/HCP) areas in California. NCCP plans provide for regional protection of sensitive species and their habitats, while streamlining appropriate economic activity. The City’s NCCP/HCP establishes the 1,400-acre Palos Verdes Nature Preserve for species and habitat protection in perpetuity, while streamlining several City public and private infrastructure and development projects. Click here for FAQs on the Palos Verdes NCCP/HCP.
While the primary purpose of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve is sensitive species and habitat protection, it is also an area for the public to enjoy passive recreational use, governed by the regulations in the Preserve Public Use Master Plan, and the City’s Municipal Code.
The City partners with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (PVPLC) to manage the Preserve. The PVPLC serves as the Preserve Habitat Manager under the NCCP/HCP. Click here to learn more about the NCCP/HCP history.
For more information on the NCCP/HCP, please contact Katie Lozano, Senior Administrative Analyst at (310) 544-5267 or via email at katiel@rpvca.gov. For further information on PVPLC conservation efforts, please contact PVPLC at 310-541-7613 or via email at info@pvplc.org
If you would like to be placed on an "interested parties" list to receive public notices and electronic updates related to the City's Palos Verdes Nature Preserve via email, please click here to subscribe to the Preserve listserv group.
NCCP/HCP Planning Documents
City-PVPLC Management Agreement
Public Use Master Plan (PUMP)
Palos Verdes Nature Preserve Annual Reports
Annual Reports
2018 Final Draft Natural Communities Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan (NCCP/HCP) Documents 30-Day Public Review Period
Info on the NCCP/HCP 30-Day Re-Circulation for Public Comment
2018 Final Draft NCCP/HCP documents (click here)
Natural Communities Conservation Plan (NCCP) Workshop/City Council Meeting
The City Council will be discussing and reviewing the draft Natural Communities Conservation Plan (NCCP) at a public meeting on Monday, October 2 at 6pm. The meeting, which is devoted solely to this topic, will be held at Hesse Park, located at 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard in Rancho Palos Verdes. For more information please email the Parks department or call 310-544-5260
.
- October 2, 2017 NCCP Staff Report (PDF)
- 2004 Draft NCCP (PDF)
- 2017 Draft NCCP (PDF)
- 2017 Draft NCCP Appendix (PDF)
- Implementing Agreement Between RPV/PVPLC/CA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife/U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for NCCP/HCP (PDF)
- Palos Verdes Nature Preserve Management Agreement Between RPV & PVPLC (PDF)
- Proposed Conservation Easements (November 15, 2011 Staff Report) (PDF)
- Palos Verdes Nature Preserve - Pump Use Master Plan (PUMP) (PDF)
- Recorded Conservation Easement Deed (PDF)
- Recorded Conservation Easement (PDF)
Natural Vegetation and Sensitive Species for NCCP/HCP
2016
February 2, 2016 City Council Meeting - 2014 PVPLC Annual Report
According to the current Management Agreement between the City and the PVPLC and the Draft NCCP and Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), the PVPLC is required to submit an annual report to the City Council on its management activities in the Preserve. Thus, the Council will be asked to receive and file the 2014 PVPLC Annual Report at its upcoming February 2, 2016 meeting.
View the 2014 PVPLC Annual Report (PDF)
View the February 2, 2016 City Council Staff Report on the 2014 PVPLC Annual Report (PDF)
March 15, 2016 City Council Meeting - 2013 PVPLC Annual Report
According to the current Management Agreement between the City and the PVPLC and the Draft NCCP and Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), the PVPLC is required to submit an annual report to the City Council on its management activities in the Preserve. Thus, the Council will be asked to receive and file the 2013 PVPLC Annual Report at its upcoming March 15, 2016 meeting.
2015
December 16, 2014 City Council Meeting - Renaming the Burma Road Trail to Hadley Trail
On December 16, 2016, the City Council, as a consent calendar item, will rename the "Burma Road Trail" to "Hadley Trail" to recognize a charitable gift towards the management of the City's Preserve. The PVPLC's request is pursuant to the conditions of Section 2.5 of the Management Agreement between the City and the PVPLC allowing, among other things, trails to be named after individuals who make monetary contributions to the City or the PVPLC for the acquisition or management of the Preserve.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014 Public Forum Meeting
Pursuant to City Council direction, the next quarterly public forum meeting will be held at the Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall Community Room located at 30940 Hawthorne Boulevard, on Wednesday, October 1st at 6:00 p.m
Wednesday, May 28, 2014 Public Forum Meeting
Pursuant to City Council direction, the next quarterly public forum meeting will be held at the Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall Community Room located at 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at 6:00 p.m.
April 15, 2014 City Council Staff Report On Amendment No. 1 to the Management Agreement
On April 15, 2014, the City Council, as a Consent Calendar item, will be asked to approve Amendment No. 1 to the RPV / PVPLC Management Agreement to amend Exhibit A, the Map of the Preserve Properties that are Managed by the PVPLC, to reflect the removal of the Archery Range Property from the Preserve and the addition of 7 acres to the Preserve resulting from the reconfiguration of the boundary limits of Gateway Park as approved by the City Council at its April 1, 2014 meeting.
April 1, 2014 City Council Meeting - Proposed Amendments to the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve Boundary Limits
The City Council at its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, April 1, 2014, at 7 p.m. at Hesse Park Community Building, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, Rancho Palos Verdes, will consider the following:
- A request by the PVPLC to enroll the recently acquired City-owned 58-acre Malaga Canyon property into the NCCPs Palos Verdes Nature Preserve which will require amending, at a later date, the Management Agreement between the City and the PVPLC and the PUMP Document as it relates to the Preserve Trails Plans;
- Authorize Staff to bring back an amended Management Agreement and PUMP that reflects the removal of the Archery Range Property from the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve; and,
- Authorize Staff to bring back an amended Management Agreement and PUMP that reflects the reconfiguration of the Preserve and Gateway Park.
- April 1, 2014 City Council Staff Report (with Staff Recommendations) (PDF)
2013
Portuguese Bend Reserve - SCE Utility Power Pole Replacement Project and Helicopter Flight Activity
On December 10, 2013, between 8 AM and 5 p.m., Southern California Edison (SCE) will be replacing 4 utility power poles partly in the lower Portuguese Bend Reserve (near Klondike Canyon) of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve and partly in the Sea View neighborhood (off Admirable Drive).
Due to the limited access to the utility pole locations, a helicopter will be used to remove the existing poles and install new poles.The equipment and helicopter staging area will be located at the upper portion of Gateway Park outside of the Preserve.This activity will require certain trails through the Gateway Park area to be intermittently closed throughout the day.
Traffic on Palos Verdes Drive South will be intermittently stopped while the helicopter operates close to the street.There may be some minor traffic delays between Schooner Drive and Gateway Park during the hours noted above.
If you have any questions, please contact Southern California Edison Aircraft Operations at (909) 974-4676 or the City's Public Works Department at 310-544-5252.
2012 PVPLC Annual Report and 2010-2012 PVPLC Cumulative Report
According to the current Management Agreement between the City and the PVPLC and the Draft NCCP and Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), the PVPLC is required to submit an annual report and a three year cumulative report to the City Council on its management activities in the Preserve. The Council will be asked to receive and file the 2012 PVPLC Annual Report and the 2010-2012 Cumulative Report at its upcoming December 3, 2013 meeting.
Council Approved Pump Document
On April 2, 2013, the City Council adopted the Public Use Master Plan (PUMP) Document for the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve (Preserve). In order to balance the public's passive recreational needs with the protection of natural resources within the Preserve, the NCCP requires that the City and the PVPLC prepare a Public Use Master Plan (PUMP) for the Preserve. The PUMP is intended to be a covered activity under the NCCP and address issues germane to the Preserve such as public access, trail and trailhead locations, parking, trail use, fencing, signage, lighting to name a few.
April 2, 2013 City Council Meeting
On April 2, 2013, the City Council, at its regular scheduled meeting, will be asked to consider the following two recommendations related to the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve: 1. Approve, via minute order, the Public Use Master Plan (PUMP) document for the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve; and, 2. Review Staff's proposal for a quarterly public forum to obtain direct feedback from the public on all the public use issues identified in the PUMP Document, and if acceptable, direct Staff to implement this approach beginning in May 2013 for a trial period of one year.
- April 2, 2013 City Council Staff Report (PDF) (including the updated PUMP Document)
- April 2, 2013 City Staff Power Point Presentation (PDF)
- April 2, 2013 PVPLC Power Point presentation (PDF)
- April 2, 2013 Late Correspondence (PDF)
Inquiries and/or public comments should be submitted to Ara Mihranian, Project Planner, by email or call 310-544-5228
March 19, 2013 City Council Meeting
On March 19, 2013, the City Council, at its regular scheduled meeting, will be asked to review the following two separate agenda items related to the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve: 1. Adoption of the PUMP Document. View the March 19th City Council Staff Report (PDF) on this agenda item including the redline changes to the PUMP document.
2. Receive a status report on the management tools used to minimize trail user conflicts in the Preserve. Click here to view the March 19th City Council Staff Report on Management Tools (PDF) on this agenda item.
Inquiries and/or public comments should be submitted to Ara Mihranian, Project Planner, via email or call 310-544-5228.
Availability Of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve - Public Use Master Plan (Pump) Document
On March 19, 2013, the City Council will consider the adoption of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve's Public Use Master Plan (PUMP) Document.
On August 31, 2004, the City Council approved the City's Natural Communities Conservation Planning Subarea Plan (NCCP). The NCCP created what is known as the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve (Preserve) which currently stands at approximately 1,400 acres in size (approximately 17% of the City). In order to ensure that the NCCP Preserve provides the public with recreational and educational opportunities while conserving the sensitive biological resources that exist in the Preserve, the City's NCCP requires that the City and the PVPLC prepare a Public Use Master Plan (PUMP) for the Preserve. The PUMP is intended to address issues germane to the Preserve such as public trail access, trailhead locations, parking, trail use, fencing, and signage to name a few. The PTP that was originally approved by the City Council in April 2008, and amended by the City Council in October 2012, is just one component of the PUMP, albeit the biggest component. Since the adoption of PTP, City and PVPLC Staff have worked closely with the Wildlife Agencies to finalize the PUMP document for City Council's review at its upcoming March 19, 2013 meeting.
Inquiries should be directed to Ara Mihranian, Project Planner, at 310-544-5228 or via email.
Lower Point Vicente and Ocean Front Estates Bluff Top Erosion Control Project
On Monday, February 11, 2013, the City will begin construction along the bluff top trail to mitigate erosion issues.The Project includes installation of new drainage lines, Geotextile fabric, and gabion baskets seaward of the existing bluff top fence.The public trails will primarily remain open during construction with intermittent closures intended to minimize inconveniences to trail users.
Inquiries should be directed to Bindu Vaish, Public Works Department Associate Engineer, at 310-544-5252, or email.
2012
October 2, 2012 City Council Meeting
The City Council will conduct a public meeting on Tuesday, October 2, 2012, at 7 p.m. at Hesse Park Community Building, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, Rancho Palos Verdes, to consider, among other things, the following matters related to the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve that were originally discussed at the May 15, 2012 City Council meeting:
- the new trails plan for the Filiorum Reserve; and,
- the recommended amendments to the overall Preserve Trails Plan (PTP) that was originally approved by the City Council in 2008;
- October 2, 2012 City Council Staff Report (including attachments)
- October 2, 2012 Meeting Notice (PDF)
- May 15th Staff Proposed Amendments to the PTP (PDF) (as presented at the City Council Meeting)
- October 2, 2012 City and PVPLC Power Point Presentations (PDF)
- October 2, 2012 Late Correspondence (PDF)
The October 2, 2012 City Council Staff Report will be posted on the City's website in the coming weeks. Information presented to the City Council at the May 15, 2012 meeting can be found below on this page.
May 15, 2012 City Council Meeting
The City Council will conduct a public meeting on Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at 7 p.m. at Hesse Park Community Building, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, Rancho Palos Verdes, to consider, among other things, the following matters related to the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve:
- Naming the preserve area encompassed by the recently acquired Upper Filiorum property as the "Filiorum Reserve;"
- Approving the new trails plan for the Filiorum Reserve;
- Approving recommended amendments to the overall Preserve Trails Plan (PTP) that was originally approved by the City Council in 2008;
- Receiving and filing the 2011 PVPLC Annual Report; and,
- Receiving and filing the 2012 Preserve Project Priority List
Information relating to some of the above listed items will be posted on the City's homepage in the coming weeks, with the exception of the proposed trails plan for Upper Filiorum and the proposed recommended amendments to the overall Preserve Trails Plan. This information is currently located on this page (see below).
- May 15, 2012 City Council Staff Report (including attachments)
- May 15, 2012 City Council Meeting Notice (PDF)
- May 15, 2012 City Council Meeting Power Point Presentations
- May 15, 2012 Late Correspondence (PDF)
Availability Of the Draft 2012 Trails Project List For the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
The Draft 2012 Trails Project List for the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve is now available and is tentatively scheduled to be reviewed for adoption by the City Council in March 2012. The list of trail projects planned for 2012 is based on priority and funding opportunities. This list is intended to outline potential projects but may be amended. Projects not completed will carry over to the following year. In addition to the list, smaller-scale projects may be accomplished by the Volunteer Trail Crew on an as-needed basis.
Important Notice - Trail Connection Closure in Portuguese Bend Reserve
The trail connection between the Fire Station Trail and the Rim Trail in Portuguese Bend Reserve is no longer accessible. This Trail connection is located on private property in the City of Rolling Hills. Please respect the property owner's request and observe posted signs in this area.
2011
Updated Management Agreement
On November 1, 2011, pursuant to the City's Natural Communities Conservation Plan (NCCP), the City Council is being asked to authorize the Mayor to execute an updated Management Agreement between the City and the PVPLC which clarifies the current on-going management responsibilities of each party.
October 18, 2011 City Council Meeting - PVPLC Annual Reports
According to the current Operating Agreement between the City and the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (PVPLC), the PVPLC is required to submit an annual report on the Preserve to the City Council.The Council will be asked to receive and file the Annual Reports at its upcoming October 18, 2011 meeting for the 2008-2009 and 2010 reporting periods (starting in 2010, the annual report is based on a calendar year rather than a fiscal calendar).
- October 18, 2011 City Council Staff Report
- 2008-2009 PVPLC Annual Report (PDF)
- 2010 PVPLC Annual Report (PDF)
Palos Verdes Nature Preserve State Of the Trails Workshop - Availability Of Responses to Comments and Recommended Amendments to the Preserve Trails Plan
On April 30, 2011, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes and the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, with the assistance of the National Park Service, conducted a public workshop on the State of the Trails for the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve (Preserve). The purpose of the State of Trails Workshop was to provide the community with an update on the condition of the trails and the plans of the City and the PVPLC for the Preserve in the coming year. Additionally, this workshop was important for the City and the PVPLC to understand the community's concerns, needs, and desires for the Preserve especially in regards to the existing Preserve Trails Plan (PTP) as it relates to trail conditions, trail signs, and trail connections. Public comments received at the April 30th workshop and by the May 13th deadline have now been responded to by the City and the PVPLC.
- Responses to Comments from the State of the Trails Workshop (PDF)
- Recommended Amendments to the Existing Preserve Trails Plan (PDF)
The City Council, at a meeting tentatively scheduled for February 7, 2012, will receive a summary report on the State of the Trails Workshop along with any Staff recommended amendments to the existing Council adopted Preserve Trails Plan.
Upper Filiorum - Availability Of the Draft Trails Plan and Responses to Comments
The 191-acre Upper Filiorum property was added to the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve on December 31, 2009.The acquisition resulted in over 900 contiguous acres of protected open space and a wildlife corridor linking the Three Sisters and the Portuguese Bend Reserves.The City of Rancho Palos Verdes and the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, with the assistance of the National Parks Service, conducted two public workshops on September 8 and September 29, 2010 to receive public input on identifying trail routes and uses for the newly acquired Upper Filiorum Reserve.
The City Council, at a meeting tentatively scheduled for summer 2011, will be presented with a draft Trails Map for Upper Filiorum along with a summary report on the April 30, 2011 State of the Trails Workshop and any Staff recommended amendments to the existing Council adopted Preserve Trails Plan (information from the State of the Trails Workshop will be made available at a later date).At this time, the following information is available for the Upper Filiorum property:
- View the Draft Trails Plan for Upper Filiorum (PDF) (amended on May 24, 2011 by deleting the reference to the "Portuguese Bend Club" and replacing it with "Private Community Access").
- View the Responses to Comments (PDF) from the September 8 and September 29, 2010 workshops on Upper Filiorum.
Please note that a notice will be released with specific information relating to the upcoming City Council meeting.
Inquiries should be directed to Danielle LeFer with the PVPLC via email or at 310-541-7613 or to Ara Mihranian with the City of Rancho Palos Verdes via email or at 310-544-5228.
Palos Verdes Nature Preserve State Of the Trails Workshop
The April 30, 2011 State of the Trails workshop was attended by approximately 40 persons.If you were unable to attend or did not to communicate a comment at the workshop, the City and the PVPLC will be accepting written comments through Friday, May 13, 2011 at 4:30 pm.Please email written comments to Ara Mihranian, with the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, via email or Danielle LeFer, with the PVPLC, via email.Written comments may also be mailed to the Rancho Palos Verdes Community Development Department, Attention: Ara Mihranian, at 30940 Hawthorne Boulevard, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275.Public comments received at the April 30th workshop and by the May 13th deadline will be responded to by the City and the PVPLC.The responses to public comments will be posted on the City's and the PVPLC's websites in approximately one month.A list-serve message will announce the availability of the responses to comments.
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes and the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, with the assistance of the National Park Service, will conduct a public workshop on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center Community Room located at 31501 Palos Verdes Drive West.The workshop will begin promptly at 9 am and will conclude at 12:30 pm.
The purpose of the State of Trails Workshop is to provide the community with an update on the condition of the trails and the plans of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes and the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy for the Preserve in the coming year. Your participation at this workshop is important for the City and the PVPLC to understand the community's concerns, needs, and desires for the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve especially in regards to the existing Preserve Trails Plan as it relates to trail conditions, trail signs, and trail connections.
The City Council, at a meeting tentatively scheduled for early Summer 2011, will receive a summary report on the State of the Trails Workshop along with any Staff recommended amendments to the existing Council adopted Preserve Trails Plan.The State of the Trails Workshop will not include any discussion on the recently acquired Upper Filiorum Preserve as two public workshops were conducted last year on Upper Filiorum and the outcome from these workshops will be presented to the City Council at the same Council meeting tentatively scheduled for early Summer 2011.
- Palos Verdes Nature Preserve Trails Plan (not including Upper Filiorum Reserve)
- April 30th State of the Trails Workshop Flyer (PDF)
Palos Verdes Nature Preserve Trails Plan Update
In September 2010, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes and the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (PVPLC), with the assistance of the National Park Service, conducted two public workshops to develop a trails plan for the 191-acre Upper Filiorum property that was added to the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve on December 31, 2009. At these public workshops, participants provided the City and the PVPLC with suggestions on trail routes and uses to be considered for the Upper Filiorum Trails Plan. Based on the public workshop comments, the City and the PVPLC are in the process of preparing a Trails Plan for the Filiorum property for consideration and approval by the City Council at a future meeting. Additionally, the City and the PVPLC are also in the process of preparing formal responses to the public comments. Both the Trails Plan for Upper Filiorum and the Responses to Comments will be made available to the public by mid-March 2011. In addition, it is Staff's intent to provide the City Council with a status update on the overall Preserve, including trail usage, at a future City Council meeting. Furthermore, the City and the PVPLC will conduct a public workshop in April 2011 to obtain public input on the Preserve. The public workshop, referred to as the "State of the Preserve," will provide the public with an opportunity to give feedback on the condition of the Preserve, in particular trail usage. The feedback received at this workshop will be provided to the City Council for its consideration when reviewing the overall condition of the Preserve.
The dates, times, and locations of the upcoming "State of the Preserve" public workshop and future City Council meetings will be announced to the public via mailed notices, list-serve messages, and advertisements in the Peninsula News. Join the listserve (see link below) to receive electronic notices on the Preserve or other City matters.
Upper Filiorum - Public Workshops On Potential Trail Routes and Uses
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes and the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, with support from the State Coastal Conservancy and contributions from over 700 supporters in the community, added the 191-acre Upper Filiorum property to the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve on December 31, 2009. The acquisition resulted in over 900 contiguous acres of protected open space and a wildlife corridor linking the Three Sisters and the Portuguese Bend Reserves.
The City Council adopted Preserve Trails Plan will need to be amended to include the Upper Filiorum trail routes and uses, and your input on the trail planning is requested. On Wednesday, September 8, 2010 a workshop will be held at Fred Hesse Community Room located at 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes at 6:00 p.m. The purpose of this workshop is to receive public input on potential trail routes and uses at the newly acquired Upper Filiorum Reserve.
- View the power presentation (PDF)from the September 8, 2010 trails workshop
Based on the public's input at the September 8th workshop, a proposed Trails Plan for Upper Filiorum will be presented at a workshop on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at Fred Hesse Community Room located at 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes at 6:00 p.m. The purpose of this workshop is to receive public comments on the proposed Trails Plan for Upper Filiorum.
- View the September 8, 2010 Draft Trails Plan (PDF) prepared for Upper Filiorum based on public input at the workshop.
- View the public comment letters (PDF) submitted to the City for the September 29, 2010 workshop.
The Draft Trails Plan for Upper Filiorum will be presented to the City Council for review and approval at a future meeting.
To post comments, please visit the Trails Workshop blog page.
Please note that a separate public workshop will be conducted to receive comments on trail routes and uses for the remaining Reserves. A notice will be released with specific information relating to the workshop in the near future.
Inquiries should be directed to Lily Verdone with the PVPLC via email or at 310-541-7613 or to Ara Mihranian with the City of Rancho Palos Verdes via email or at 310-544-5228.
Preserve Trails Plan
The Council adopted Preserve Trails Plan for the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve is now available on the City's Recreation and Parks homepage.
April 7, 2009 City Council Meeting
The City Council of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes will conduct a public meeting (regular business agenda item) on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 7 p.m. at the Hesse Park Community Room located at 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard to consider the following:
- The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy 6-month report on trail use at the Portuguese Bend Reserve
- The PUMP Committee's recommendations pertaining to activities/uses (archery, paragliding, farming, etc.) in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
- The items to be included in the final Public Use Master Plan document for adoption at a later date, such as use of the Preserve in the evening, annual reporting requirements, and monitoring and enforcement.
- April 7th City Council Staff Report (PDF)
- PVPLC 6-month Report on the Portuguese Bend Reserve (June 6 - December 6, 2008) (PDF)
All interested parties are invited to submit written comments and to attend and give testimony at the April 7th City Council Meeting.If you wish to submit written comments, please provide them to the Director of Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement by noon on Monday, April 6, 2009.Written comments submitted by Monday, March 30, 2009 will be included in the City Council Staff Report.
Portuguese Bend Reserve – Temporary Time-out
City Council Adopted Preserve Trails Plan
On February 23, 2008, the City Council conducted an adjourned meeting to review the Public Use Master Plan (PUMP) Committee's recommended Preserve Trails Plan for the City's Natural Communities Conservation Plan (NCCP) Palos Verdes Nature Preserve.The City Council held four public meetings to review the PUMP Committee's recommendations.The Preserve Trails Plan was eventually adopted, in its entirety, by the City Council on April 29, 2008.The Council adopted Preserve Trails Plan identifies the permitted trail routes and the permitted trail uses (pedestrian, equestrian, and bicycle) within the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve. View the Council Adopted Preserve Trails Plan (PDF).
In order to enhance a trail users experience and protect the native plants, animals, and habitat, please observe the following:
- Travel on designated trails and adhere to the trail use designations (as shown on the Preserve Trails Plan)
- The creations of jumps and new trails is prohibited
- Please keep dogs on leash at all times
- Take only pictures, leave everything else
Trail modifications of any kind are not permitted in the Preserve.This includes construction of jumps, wooden ladders, earthern mounds, formation of berms and brush clearance.Trail users can balance preservation with recreation by staying on designated trails.Bicyclists must yield to pedestrian and equestrian traffic at all times.Reckless behavior by any trail user is subject to removal from the Preserve.
December 20, 2005 City Council Meeting
On December 20, 2005, the City Council authorized the PVPLC to begin managing the Preserve in accordance with the NCCP. In addition, the City has begun preparation of the Public Use Master Plan (PUMP) for the preserve. Although the preserve is accessible to the public now, the PUMP will function as the management plan for balancing the habitat value of the preserve with the public accessibility and passive recreational needs of the City's residents.
The creation of the City's NCCP preserve relies on the dedication of existing public lands and the acquisition of private lands. To that end, the City and PVPLC have been successful in acquiring considerable acreages of privately held open space to create the preserve. On December 22, 2005, the City obtained title to 458 acres of additional lands for dedication into the preserve (the "Portuguese Bend" and "Agua Amarga Canyon" properties). With this acquisition, 1,138.33 acres of the 1,428.27 acres (80%) that are intended to become the NCCP preserve are now owned by the City (1,118 acres) or PVPLC (20 acres). At this time, the City and PVPLC are working toward acquiring the 218-acre Upper Filiorum property.
August 31, 2004 City Council Meeting (Approval Of NCCP, etc.)
All three documents were presented to the City Council for review and approval on August 31, 2004. At that time, after hearing public testimony, the City Council 1) certified the Final EIR; 2) Approved the Subarea Plan and 3) Conceptually approved the Implementing Agreement, minus the management agreement between the City and the PVPLC. The documents have been formally transmitted to the State and federal Resource Agencies for their review and approval. At this time, the City anticipates that the Resource Agencies will complete their review and approve the documents by the end of 2006. Once the documents are approved and the Implementing Agreement signed by the City and Resource Agencies, the City's NCCP will go into effect, the City will be legally responsible for managing the preserve (with the PVPLC) and the City will have the authority to issue "take" permits for projects that are consistent with the NCCP.
The Draft NCCP Subarea Plan
The Draft NCCP Subarea Plan was completed and made available to the public in June 2003. After completion of the Draft Subarea Plan, a Draft EIR was prepared to assess the environmental impacts of implementing the Subarea Plan. The DEIR was publicly circulated for 60 days between February 20, 2004 and April 20, 2004. In addition, the Draft EIR was presented to the City Council on March 16, 2004. Based on the comments received during the DEIR public comment period, the Final EIR was completed. The Final EIR contains responses to the 576 comments received from the public on the Draft EIR as well the modifications made to the actual EIR text as a result of the comments.
- NCCP Preserve Design Map (PDF)
- NCCP Subarea Plan (PDF)
- Draft Environmental Impact Report (NCCP Draft DEIR) (PDF)
- NCCP Responses to Draft DEIR Comments (PDF)
- NCCP Final EIR (PDF)
In addition to the EIR, the NCCP Subarea Plan was completed. The Subarea Plan explains the proposed NCCP Reserve, how the Reserve will be assembled, how the Reserve will be managed and how much implementation of the Plan is going to cost, was finalized. Furthermore, a draft Implementing Agreement was completed. The Implementing Agreement (IA) is the legal document that sets forth the responsibilities of all the parties involved with the City's NCCP: the City, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (PVPLC), the California Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Also, included as an appendix to the IA, is a draft agreement between the City and PVPLC, which clearly spells out the responsibilities of both parties in managing the proposed NCCP Reserve.