Planning Commission adopts RCD�Environmental Enhancement Streamlining Program and MND; approves partial fee waivers
August 26, 2026 | Monterey County, California
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The Monterey County Planning Commission voted on Aug. 26 to adopt the Environmental Enhancement Streamlining Program (EASP) proposed by the Resource Conservation District (RCD) of Monterey County, including adoption of a mitigated negative declaration (MND), a mitigation monitoring and reporting plan, and a programmatic master permit to run for five years with annual reporting and cumulative-impact review.
HCD planner Mary Israel described the EASP as a master-permit approach to streamline permitting for up to five environmentally beneficial projects per year drawn from 13 program practice types based on USDA-NRCS standards. Staff discussed programmatic general conditions (PGCs), early interagency consultation, and a cumulative evaluation memorandum to be prepared annually. Israel said staff recommended adoption of the MND and approval of a combined development/master permit for five years, and recommended a fee-waiver package: 100% waiver of combined development/master permit fees and a 50% waiver of future grading and building permit fees and encroachment fees because ongoing full waivers would strain HCD's budget.
RCD Executive Director Paul Robbins and RCD staff presented an example Moss Landing stormwater detention and habitat project to illustrate program benefits and the RCD NRCS nine-step planning and monitoring process. Public comment from Big Sur LUAC member Trey Cropp urged stronger local notice and LUAC review for projects in sensitive areas; staff responded that design approvals requiring LUAC would be routed to LUAC and that PCNs and annual records could be reviewed by request. Several commissioners pressed staff on ESHA, Coastal Commission coordination, cumulative impacts and the five-year trial term. Commissioner Diehl moved to adopt staff recommendations; Commissioner Hartzell seconded and the motion passed on a voice vote.
The approved package requires RCD to provide annual reports and cumulative evaluations and to include early consultation with state and federal agencies (including CDFW and the Coastal Commission) as described in the program. Staff will implement a mitigation-monitoring and reporting plan and track the fee-waiver costs to the department.
Why it matters: The program is designed to speed restoration and conservation work countywide by clarifying compliance steps and having the RCD front-load technical review and consultation, while creating an annual cumulative-review safeguard to identify any unexpected regional impacts.
HCD planner Mary Israel described the EASP as a master-permit approach to streamline permitting for up to five environmentally beneficial projects per year drawn from 13 program practice types based on USDA-NRCS standards. Staff discussed programmatic general conditions (PGCs), early interagency consultation, and a cumulative evaluation memorandum to be prepared annually. Israel said staff recommended adoption of the MND and approval of a combined development/master permit for five years, and recommended a fee-waiver package: 100% waiver of combined development/master permit fees and a 50% waiver of future grading and building permit fees and encroachment fees because ongoing full waivers would strain HCD's budget.
RCD Executive Director Paul Robbins and RCD staff presented an example Moss Landing stormwater detention and habitat project to illustrate program benefits and the RCD NRCS nine-step planning and monitoring process. Public comment from Big Sur LUAC member Trey Cropp urged stronger local notice and LUAC review for projects in sensitive areas; staff responded that design approvals requiring LUAC would be routed to LUAC and that PCNs and annual records could be reviewed by request. Several commissioners pressed staff on ESHA, Coastal Commission coordination, cumulative impacts and the five-year trial term. Commissioner Diehl moved to adopt staff recommendations; Commissioner Hartzell seconded and the motion passed on a voice vote.
The approved package requires RCD to provide annual reports and cumulative evaluations and to include early consultation with state and federal agencies (including CDFW and the Coastal Commission) as described in the program. Staff will implement a mitigation-monitoring and reporting plan and track the fee-waiver costs to the department.
Why it matters: The program is designed to speed restoration and conservation work countywide by clarifying compliance steps and having the RCD front-load technical review and consultation, while creating an annual cumulative-review safeguard to identify any unexpected regional impacts.
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