Title
Adoption of Resolution to Nominate Priority Conservation Areas to the Association of Bay Area Governments.
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, this project is exempt from environmental review pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21150, feasibility and planning studies. (Planning Building and Transportation 20962710)
.Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Alameda (City) has an opportunity to apply for designation for Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs) that will qualify us for additional regional grant opportunities. PCAs are designated geographic areas nominated by local jurisdictions and recognized by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) to support regional conservation, resilience, and sustainability goals. The PCA designation process creates a map of areas that have the potential for conservation, enhancement, restoration and public access. Specific projects within designated PCAs may be eligible for future funding from the PCA Grant Program, which helps local governments, park districts, utility districts and other agencies protect or enhance properties designated as PCAs.
In May 2024, the ABAG Executive Board approved reforms to the PCA planning framework, marking the first substantial changes since its creation in 2007. The two-year PCA Refresh created new areas of eligibility, including most of Alameda. City staff has coordinated with the ABAG program manager to create the most cohesive and qualifying areas as possible, based on existing adopted Citywide planning efforts, including the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan, Urban Forest Plan / Equity Priority Planting Areas, Mobility Element, Open Space and Parks Element, Conservation and Climate Element, and historic / important tree corridors. Examples include planting trees in Priority Planting Areas under the urban forest plan to improve the Stargell corridor and Main Street Linear Park, as well as shoreline protection at Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary and the Bay Farm Island and Estuary Adaptation Projects, among many others.
Adopting the resolution will establish the City’s interest in having these areas designated by the ABAG Board and will enable the City to qualify for future grant opportunities that support outdoor access, urban greening and climate adaptation.
BACKGROUND
PCAs are regionally significant areas for protection and enhancement. PCAs include natural habitats, farms and ranchlands, recreation areas, urban green spaces, and locations that can help fight the effects of climate change. PCAs are locally nominated by agencies with land use authority. PCAs are designated under five categories that recognize the Bay Area’s natural systems, economy, and health of all residents: natural lands, agricultural and working lands, urban greening, regional recreation, and climate adaptation. Prior grant award recipients focused on rural land acquisition, related improvements, and public access to open space in rural and urban settings.
The PCA nomination process was amended in 2024 to include more urban areas, and involves an evaluation of local policy goals, program needs and eligibility maps. This was accomplished by staff in the Planning, Building and Transportation Department in April. An online mapping tool was used to propose areas for consideration by staff at ABAG/MTC. As of May 2, staff reached agreement on the areas that met the nomination criteria and advanced important City goals. The nomination process requires a resolution by the City Council prior to June 13, which will enable ABAG/MTC staff to present the regional nominations to its Board in July. Designation as a PCA does not change local land use control or commit the City to any future course of action or financial commitment.
DISCUSSION
PCA designations are intended to guide and elevate priorities for conservation based on local consensus. PCA designation does not result in any formal changes to land use and land use authority and decisions in these areas remain with the local jurisdictions. After PCA designation, PCA managers are eligible to apply for funding through the PCA Grant Program, which is staffed by the San Francisco Estuary Partnership (SFEP). PCAs support the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), ABAG, and partners’ commitment to a healthy and resilient Bay Area.
As of 2023, the PCA Grant Program awarded more than $30 million for regional conservation through the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) Program and the California State Coastal Conservancy (SCC). The PCA Grant Program was initiated in 2013 by MTC in collaboration with SCC to supply funding to cities, counties, park districts, utility districts, non-profits, and other agencies to acquire, enhance, and improve PCAs. Grant funding supports the protection, restoration, and enhancement of open space and agricultural lands, creation and improvement of pedestrian and bicycle facilities, urban greening projects like city parks and stormwater improvements, and visual enhancements like viewpoints within PCAs.
PCA nominations must meet the location-based criteria established in the latest guidance. In the case of Alameda, most of the City is eligible for designation as a recreation area and as an urban greening area; the entire city qualifies as a climate adaptation area. No more than 50% of the area within the city may be designated, and PCA boundaries may not overlap. The following map shows the areas in red that are recommended as PCAs.

The draft nomination includes the following grouping of areas:
• Local and regional parks
• Trail corridors
• Priority planting areas
• Shorelines
• Important tree corridors
ALTERNATIVES
• Do not nominate PCAs
• Modify the recommended nomination areas
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no immediate financial impact of nominating areas eligible for future grant funding. Future grant funding could support City-initiated planning and implementation of adopted plans and projects related to urban forestry, recreation, and climate adaptation, among others.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This project supports the City Strategic Plan priority to Build Resilience to Climate Change and Water Level Rise, and to Invest in Transportation, Infrastructure, Economic Opportunities and Historic Resources.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, this project is exempt from environmental review pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21150, feasibility and planning studies.
CLIMATE IMPACT
Future grant-funded projects could support the implementation of adopted plans to adapt to climate change and rising water and to improve park land, trails and public streets with more tree planting, transportation options, and shoreline enhancements.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution to nominate PCAs within the City.
Respectfully submitted,
Allen Tai, Planning, Building and Transportation Director
By,
Steven Buckley, Planning Services Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director