COMMISSION

protecting current wildlife populations and their habitats. The WHPP includes a baseline
inventory of plant and animal species (including special-status species), plant communities
(habitats), and soil types. The WHPP also implements an annual monitoring program and
makes recommendations for managing the SVRA to sustain biodiversity. SVRAs are in
the process of updating their WHPPs, as many date from
the late 1990s to the early 2000s. Revised WHPPs will
undergo extensive peer review from professionals outside
State Parks to ensure scientific integrity and reliability.
The OHMVR Division developed the Habitat Monitoring
System (HMS) in conjunction with the WHPP. The
HMS program encompasses all aspects of monitoring
including survey design and implementation, data capture
and management, and statistical analysis and reports. Annual HMS reports interpret and
summarize the past year’s monitoring efforts that environmental scientists and managers
use to make informed decisions about an SVRA’s habitat management needs and to comply
with statutory requirements. The HMS program consists of peer reviewed standardized
scientific protocols that meet the specific needs of the SVRA. Additionally, the HMS program
is adaptable to accommodate new technology, survey, and analysis methods to provide the
information managers need to make informed decisions.
In addition, the OHMVR Division hired consultants to compile, analyze, and summarize
monitoring data from SVRAs and provide a peer review of the statistical models,
interpretations, and conclusions described in annual HMS reports for each monitoring
section. The consultants bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the OHMVR
Program, with backgrounds in federal and state environmental and regulatory compliance;
land use planning; water and air quality; vegetation and storm water management; avian,
bat, herpetology, and small mammal studies; geological surveys; and cultural resource
management. The consultants also train Division and field staff in their respective fields and
assist with the development of survey protocols.
2008 Soil Conservation Standard and Guidelines
PRC Section 5090.35 (b) (1) requires the OHMVR Division and the Grants Program
recipients to implement a soil monitoring program based on the Soil Standard. This section
describes the OHMVR Division and Grants Program recipients’ compliance with the Soil
Standard.
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California State Parks, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission