Priority Conservation Workshop Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs) - Laura Thompson, Bay Trail Project Manager, Association of Bay Area Governments - Adam Garcia, Planning and Research Manager, Greenbelt Alliance This presentation was given during a workshop at the Bay Area Greenprint Launch Event on June 21, 2017 at the David Brower Center in Berkeley, CA. More info on the Bay Area Open Space Council's blog: http://openspacecouncil.org/the-bay-area-greenprint-has-launched/

1. Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs)
Laura Thompson
Bay Trail Project Manager
Association of Bay Area Governments
Adam Garcia
Planning and Research Manager
Greenbelt Alliance

2. Agenda
1. PCA Update: Laura Thompson, Overall Program Manager for
Priority Conservation Areas, Association of Bay Area
Governments (ABAG)
2. Connecting Greenprint values and benefits to PCA application
criteria
3. Using the tool to evaluate a Priority Conservation Area for a
potential project
4. Questions and discussion

3. Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs)
PCAs are designated areas of open space that provide agricultural, natural resource,
scenic, recreational or urban greening benefits to communities as part of the
region’s sustainable communities strategy.
● Component of Plan Bay Area
● 165 adopted PCAs
● Four primary functions: Natural Landscapes, Agricultural Lands, Urban Greening and
Regional Recreation
● PCAs support multiple benefits

4. Priority Conservation Area Funding
Projects located within the boundaries of adopted PCAs are eligible for funding
through the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) program.
● North Bay Program / Peninsula, South Bay & East Bay Program
● OBAG 1 (2013): 23 projects funded for a total of $11.95 million
● OBAG 2 (2017): North Bay programs underway.
○ Tentative Details for Peninsula, South Bay & East Bay Program
■ Up to $10 million
■ October 2017 call for projects + workshops, November letters of interest due
■ PCA screening process still being developed, Greenprint tool helpful

5. PCA Eligible Projects
● Planning activities
○ Ex: Twin Peaks Connectivity Conceptual Plan (San Francisco)
● Pedestrian and bicycle facilities and infrastructure
○ Ex: Sunny Hill Ridge and Red Hill Trails (Marin County)
● Visual enhancements
○ Ex: Bodega Highway Roadway Preservation (Sonoma County)
● Habitat/environmental enhancements
○ Ex: Pinole Fish Passage (Contra Costa County)
● Protection or enhancement of natural resources, open space, or agricultural
lands
○ Ex: Office of Education Loma Mar Aquisition (San Mateo County)

6. PCA Designation Greenprint Values and Benefits
Natural Landscapes Biodiversity
Prioritized Habitats
Habitat Connectivity
Species and Habitat Mitigation
Water Resources
Water Yield
Water Quality
Water Hazard Risk Reduction
Carbon Stock
Agricultural Lands Food Production
Regional Recreation Recreation
Urban Greening Potential Phase II Updates
PCA Designations and Greenprint Values and Benefits

7. Connecting Greenprint Data to PCA Criteria
Designation PCA Benefit Criteria Map Layer
Natural
Landscapes
Terrestrial
ecosystems
Protects land within Conservation Lands
Network
Conservation Lands Network
Aquatic
ecosystems
Protects wetlands identified in Baylands
Ecosystem Habitat Goals
Baylands
Water supply
and quality
Protect urban water supply: reservoir
catchment areas
Reservoir Catchment Areas
Agricultural
Lands
Agricultural
resources
Preserves land important for farming Agricultural Land
Regional
Recreation
Recreation Proposed regional trails Regional Trails - Proposed
Climate and
Resilience
Protect and/or increase areas with carbon
storage potential
Aboveground Carbon Storage

8. Designation PCA Benefit Criteria Map Layer
Natural
Landscapes
Terrestrial
ecosystems
Protects land within Conservation Lands
Network
Conservation Lands Network
Using Greenprint Data to Meet PCA Criteria

9. Questions?