State of California
Governor's Office of Planning and Research

Sources: An Annotated Bibliography for California Planners

Resource Conservation and Safety

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California at Risk: Steps to Earthquake Safety for Local Governments; free from the California Seismic Safety Commission, 1900 "K" St., Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 322-4917.
          This booklet discusses specific mitigation programs that local governments may undertake to reduce community seismic hazard.

CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Vascular Plants of California, 5th Edition (1994); Mark W. Skinner and Bruce M. Pavlik (eds.); $22.95 from the California Native Plant Society, 1722 J Street, Suite 17, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 447-2677.
          This reference presents information on the distribution, rarity, endangerment, legal status, habitat, and literature sources for over 1,700 species, subspecies, and varieties of California's increasingly endangered flora.

A Discussion of the County General Plan and Role of Strategic Fire Protection Planning (1989), by Bob Irwin, available from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, 1416 Ninth St., P.O. Box 944246, Sacramento, CA 94244-2460.
          This book describes how to integrate strategic fire protection concepts into the general plan and the development review process. It is aimed primarily at counties where residential development is occurring in areas subject to wildland fires.

Earthquake Vulnerability Analysis for Local Governments (1989); available from the Bay Area Regional Earthquake Preparedness Project, MetroCenter, 101 Eighth St., Suite 152, Oakland, CA 94607, (415) 540-2713.
          A step-by-step method for analyzing local vulnerability to seismic risks.

Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook (1981), is available from the California Department of Conservation, Land Conservation Office, 1516 Ninth St., Room 400, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 324-0859.
          This excellent reference from the Division of Mines and Geology contains a model erosion control ordinance as well as illustrations of various erosion control practices.

Evaluation of Agricultural Land Trusts (1989), available from the California Coastal Conservancy, 1330 Broadway, Suite 1100, Oakland, CA 94612-2530, (415) 464-1015.
          This report details the experiences of land trusts in Marin, Monterey, and Sonoma Counties and of the Coastal Conservancy trust. It critically evaluates these programs and offers some conclusions regarding the elements needed for success.

Fault-Rupture Hazard Zones in California, Special Publication 42 (1992), by Earl W. Hart; from the California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology, 801 K Street, MS 12-30, Sacramento, CA 95814-3531, (916) 445-5716.
          This is a discussion of the requirements of the Alquist-Priolo Seismic Hazards Act and an index to the Special Studies Maps.

Fire Safe Guides for Residential Development in California (1993); available from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, 1416 Ninth St., Sacramento, CA 95814.
          This is an introduction to methods of reducing wildfire danger in rural areas. It describes common problems and suggests design standards and regulations that can reduce wildfire risk to an acceptable level.

The Flood Control Challenge: Past, Present, and Future; Howard Rosen and Martin Ruess, (eds.); $10.00 from the Public Works Historical Society, 1313 E. 60th St., Chicago, IL 60637.
          This is a collection of essays on the history of federal flood control programs. It also examines current practices and future trends in flood control.

Guidebook to Identify and Mitigate Seismic Hazards in Buildings (1987), with separate appendix; free from the California Seismic Safety Commission, 1900 "K" St., Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 322-4917.
          This book assists local officials in implementing the Unreinforced Masonry (URM) building law and suggests additional actions that they may take to mitigate seismic hazards found in other types of buildings. It offers a step-by-step approach to hazard mitigation and approach to hazard mitigation and discusses associated costs. Sample forms, mapping techniques, and a model ordinance round out this excellent reference.

Habitat Conservation Planning (1994); by Timothy Beatley; $19.95 for APA members and $22.95 for non-members from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This book explores the importance and significance of a diversity of species and the habitats which support them in planning. It includes nine case studies of HCPs in four states where population increases have threatened species diversity.

Introductory Guide to Community and Urban Forestry; free from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, P.O. Box 944246, Sacramento, CA 94244-2460, (916) 322-0109.
          This is a guide for the development and maintenance of local urban forestry programs. It concentrates on four central functions of urban forest management: public education; funding and budgeting; preparing a master plan; and, program management.

Land Conservation Resource Guide (1988); free from the Agricultural Resources Branch, California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 "N" St., Room 104, P.O. Box 942871, Sacramento, CA 94271-0001.
          The guide is a brief compendium of information sources, including a directory of state agencies, and private organizations that have land conservation information. It also contains a bibliography of state and federal publications on the subject.

A Manual of California Vegetation (1995); by John Sawyer and Todd Keeler-Wolf; $55.00 for hardcover or $39.00 for softcover from the California Native Plant Society, 1722 J Street, Suite 17, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 447-2677.
          This book serves a guide to natural resource specialists, as well as planners, in the identification and ranking of plant communities by conservation priority for CEQA and NEPA projects; quantitative vegetation descriptions of critical habitats; and the identification and protection of unique vegetational types.

Planning and Zoning for Farmland Protection: A Community Based Approach (1987); available from the American Farmlands Trust, Midwest Regional Office, 1405 S. Harrison Rd. #318, East Lansing, MI 48823, (517) 337-6778.
          This is a guide to preparing a comprehensive local regulatory scheme to limit the premature conversion of prime farmland. It discusses the forces at work encouraging conversion, the advantages of farmland, and various zoning techniques for protecting farmland.

Plants for California Landscapes: A Catalog of Drought Tolerant Plants (1981), Department of Water Resources Bulletin 209, $1.60 from the Department of Water Resources, Division of Local Assistance, 1416 Ninth St., P.O. Box 942836, Sacramento, CA 94236-0001, (916) 445-4403.
          This book lists drought resistant trees, shrubs, and ground covers suitable for California gardens.

Plowing the Urban Fringe: An Assessment of Alternative Approaches to Farmland Preservation; Hal Hiemstra and Nancy Bushwick, eds.; $15.00 from the Joint Center for Environmental and Urban Problems, University Tower, 220 Southeast Second Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.
          This is a collection of articles on state and local farmland protection programs. It offers an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of each program as well as insights into why some are more successful than others.

Preparing for California's Earthquakes: Local Government and Seismic Safety; by Allan J. Wyner and Dean E. Mann; $7.00 from the University of California Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, 105 Moses Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720.
          This book offers 13 case studies analyzing why some agencies have acted efficiently to implement earthquake safety programs and some have not.

Protecting Nontidal Wetlands, PAS Report Nos. 412/413 (1988); by David G. Burke, et al.; $32.00 from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This report reviews the host of federal, state, and local regulations that protect nontidal wetlands, It includes a detailed model ordinance and a sampling of language from numerous local ordinances.

"Protecting Wildlife and Open Space" (produced by PTS), 1992, 1 hour 30 minute videotape; available for purchase for $54.95 for APA members and $59.95 for non-members from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This video provides tools and techniques to balance wildlife conservation objectives and local development goals in response to the increasing impact of the Endangered Species Act on urban development patters.

Putting Action into the Open Space Element: Techniques for Preserving Open Space and Farmland (1990); free from the Governor's Office of Planning and Research, 1400 Tenth St., Rm. 250, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 445-4831.
          According to state law, every local open space plan must have an "action program." An action program identifies specific techniques which a local government intends to pursue in implementing its open space element. This brief publication outlines a variety of possible action program measures. Many have been insufficiently publicized, but most have been used in California. The booklet does not describe zoning or agricultural preserves due to the availability of publications regarding these most commonly used programs.

Putting Seismic Safety Policies to Work (1988); available from the Bay Area Regional Earthquake Preparedness Project, MetroCenter, 101 Eighth St., Suite 152, Oakland, CA 94607, (415) 540-2713.
          This is a comprehensive discussion of seismic safety issues and programs to mitigate seismic risk. Using examples from numerous communities, it illustrates various effective seismic safety policies.

Reducing Earthquake Risks: A Planner's Guide, PAS Report No. 364 (1981); $20.00 from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This in-depth book discusses topics relating to seismic risks, including hazard mapping, development constraints, and building rehabilitation.

Reducing Landslide Hazards: A Guide for Planners, PAS Report No. 359 (1982); $16.00 from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This report outlines the use of grading regulations and related techniques to reduce the danger of landslides. It includes technical information on landslides as well as risk assessment methods.

Saving the Farm: A Handbook for Conserving Agricultural Land (1989), $20.00 from the American Farmlands Trust, 512 Second St., Fourth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94107, (415) 543-2098.
          This book offers a comprehensive program for planning farmland conservation. It discusses conservation techniques such as zoning, agricultural buffers, right to farm ordinances, purchase of development rights, and transfer of development rights. It also delves into the roles of CEQA, LAFCOs, and private organizations in the effort to conserve farm land.

Tools for the Greenbelt: A Citizen's Guide to Protecting Open Space (1985); $22.50 from the Greenbelt Alliance, 116 New Montgomery St., Suite 640, San Francisco, CA 94105, (415) 543-4291.
          This is a layman's guide to methods of protecting greenbelt areas. Subjects include citizen advocacy, land use regulatory techniques, and acquisition methods.

Tree Conservation Ordinances, PAS Report No. 446 (1993); by Christopher J. Duerksen; $32.00 from the American Planning Association Planners Book Service, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603-6107, (312) 786-6344.
          This illustrative report shows how to develop an ordinance to protect trees. It takes an in-depth look at the politics and practice of tree conservation and the legal tests and pitfalls of protection efforts.

Trees and Shrubs for Dry California Landscapes (1981); by Bob Perry; Land Design Publishing, San Dimas, CA.
          This profusely illustrated book focuses on drought resistant trees, shrubs, and groundcovers suitable for California's climate.

Water-Conserving Plants and Landscapes for the Bay Area (1986); $11.00 from the East Bay Municipal Utilities District, P.O. Cox 937, Alamo, CA 94507.
          This is a book on water-thrifty plants and how they can be used effectively.

Wetlands: Mitigating and Regulating Development Impacts (1990), by David Salvesen, available for $38.00 from the Urban Land Institute, 1090 Vermont Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20005-4962.
          This book examines federal and state regulations relating to the development of wetlands. It discusses in detail: permitting under section 404 of the Clean Water Act; the aggressive wetlands protection programs of California, Florida, and three other states; the question of regulatory "takings"; and ways of mitigating development impacts.