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July 11, 2007 <br />Page 3 <br />Streamline the permitting process by directing individual mitigation actions <br />toward mitigation which regulatory agencies will support. <br />2. Streamline the CEQA and NEPA process by providing a vehicle for <br />comprehensive mitigation for direct and cumulative impacts to biological <br />resources. <br />3. Create constructive and effective partnerships with regulatory agencies, <br />landowners, public entities, and cities. <br />4. Provide enhanced opportunities to. secure State or Federal funds to help <br />implement the conservation strategy and secure more open space and recreation <br />sites in East Alameda County. <br />5. Provide local benefit for Tri-Valley residents through the preservation of large <br />open space areas and natural communities in East Alameda County. <br />The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has already engaged Zone 7 to coordinate the <br />proposal to develop a regional conservation strategy for East Alameda County. Zone 7 <br />has hosted four exploratory meetings over the past four months that have included the <br />three Tri-Valley cities, Alameda County, Congestion Management Agency, and several <br />other entities. Zone 7 retained the environmental firm of Jones and Stokes to assist with <br />developing this proposal and potentially serving as the project consultant. There has <br />been a positive response of all participating entities and general consensus that the <br />many mutual benefits gained more than offset the resources required to develop the <br />regional conservation strategy. Based on this positive response, the U.S. Fish and <br />Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Game, and the Regional Water <br />Quality Control Board are encouraging the Cities of Livermore, Dublin, and Pleasanton <br />and the County of Alameda to endorse the development of the conservation strategy by <br />co-signing a letter of agreement with Zone 7, authorizing participation in the program <br />and committing to contributing each entity's fair share of the resources required to <br />develop it. We look forward to committing our staff resources to partner with you in this <br />exciting endeavor. <br />Sincerely, <br />yGd~ Gs'~.d"" Fob <br />.. -rt Cay G de Charles Armor <br />Assista t Field Supervisor Acting Regional Manager <br />Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Bay Delta Region <br />Califomia Department of Fish and Game <br />