Riparian habitats can prove elusive By MATT KAPKO Half Moon Bay Review September 29, 2004 The mysterious words "riparian habitat" can be music to the ears of Coastside environmentalists and a cacophony of red tape to developers. The phrase is tossed around in virtually every development proposal here, including a planned city park, but there is little agreement over what it actually means. The mere utterance of "riparian habitat" can spell disaster for major development proposals, but the unobstructed degradation of riparian habitats can do even more damage to wildlife and the many endangered and threatened species that depend on the land for survival. Anti-growth interests often turn to the protections and regulations associated with riparian corridors to limit construction. Meanwhile, there is no clear set of criteria that helps agencies determine what is and isn't a riparian habitat. Practically every development proposal on the books has faced delays because of the development site's close proximity to wetlands and other waterways. * The Wavecrest proposal, which would include homes and a new middle school, has been modified to buffer riparian corridors. * The proposed housing development east of Highway 1 known as Pacific Ridge has been in the works for more than two decades. Neighbors have complained that it could damage riparian habitat in the area. * The Beachwood development proposal for a site adjacent to Pacific Ridge is handcuffed because up to one-fifth of the developable land is riparian habitat. The term could come up again soon as the city considers purchase of nearly 22 acres of fallow farmland officials have said they hope to turn into a park. When potential riparian ecosystems fall within city limits, planners first survey the area to determine if animals or plants may depend on the waterway for survival. If such an environment appears to exist a biological study is typically required before a development proposal or permit can move forward. The mission of the California Riparian Habitat Conservation Program, which is run by the Wildlife Conservation Board, is to "develop coordinated conservation efforts aimed at protecting and restoring the state's riparian ecosystems." Riparian habitat, it says, "is comprised of the trees and other vegetation and physical features normally found on the stream banks and flood plains associated with streams, lakes, or other bodies of water." The Webster's New World Dictionary defines riparian as "of, adjacent to, or living on, the bank of a river or, sometimes, of a lake, pond, etc." Plenty of scientific research suggests that a mere 5 to 10 percent of riparian habitat that once weaved throughout North America at the time of European contact still exists today. Many local, state and federal agencies have jurisdictions that overlap when it comes to sustaining the flow and general health of riparian ecosystems. According to the Riparian Habitat Joint Venture, which focuses on the conservation of riparian ecosystems, more than 135 species of California birds depend on riparian habitats at some stage of their lives. Another 90 species of mammals, reptiles, invertebrates and amphibians depend on these ecosystems as well. "It's habitat for a lot of species and often times rare species," said John Dixon, a staff ecologist with the California Coastal Commission. "It's very important habitat and it's habitat we've lost a great deal of," he said. Recently, homeowners in neighborhoods where storm drainage ditches exist have complained that some agencies consider those waterways a riparian habitat. But Dixon said the designation isn't as arbitrary as it may seem. "Ditches often times replace natural drainages that have been removed," he said. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, like most other agencies involved, doesn't have a specific responsibility or jurisdiction over riparian habitats, but threatened or endangered wildlife existing within those environments is a major concern. "If it's habitat for a listed species then we're interested in it," Jim Nichols of Fish and Wildlife said. "We don't really have regulation that deals with riparian habitat per se. We want to protect the species." Mary Hammer, a biologist with the service said riparian habitats "are probably one the most important habitats, not only for listed species, but for fish and wildlife in general. Their importance to wildlife can't really be overstated. They're crucial." Beyond that though, there is little agreement on what criteria is used to designate a waterway as a riparian habitat. "I don't know that there's a set definition," Hammer said. Wherever a riparian ecosystem thrives, a buffer zone is required. For city planning purposes, a 50-foot space is required from the edge of riparian vegetation on perennial streams outward. Intermittent streams require a 30-foot buffer. John Paoli is one resident who lives on the uneasy edge of animal habitat and residential life along Naples Ditch. "Part of the problem with the city is they recognize this as a riparian, but it shouldn't be considered riparian - it's runoff," he said. Home