Difference between revisions of "Fort Ord Reuse Authority (FORA)"

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== Habitat Management Plan ==
 
== Habitat Management Plan ==
  
Following the order to close and dispose of Fort Ord, a Biological Assessment (BA) had to be conducted since this closure was considered a major federal action by potentially affecting eight species proposed for listing or listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). This assessment, conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) was prepared to identify potential loss of populations and habitats of these species, as well as resulting caretaker actions, disposal actions, and six reuse alternatives. The 1993 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), along with the BA, prompted development and implementation of a multispecies Habitat Management Plan (HMP).  This HMP was developed in compliance with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USWS) final Biological/Conference Opinion for the disposal and reuse of the former Fort Ord land in order to establish management and conservation guidelines for the wildlife, plant species and habitats in the former Fort Ord lands and addressed pre-disposal, disposal, and reuse actions.
+
Following the order to close and dispose of Fort Ord, a Biological Assessment (BA) was conducted since this closure was considered a major federal action by potentially affecting eight species proposed for listing or listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). This assessment, conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), was prepared to identify potential loss of populations and habitats of these species, as well as resulting caretaker actions, disposal actions, and six reuse alternatives. The 1993 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), along with the BA, prompted development and implementation of a multispecies Habitat Management Plan (HMP).  This HMP was developed in compliance with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USWS) final Biological/Conference Opinion for the disposal and reuse of the former Fort Ord land in order to establish management and conservation guidelines for the wildlife, plant species and habitats in the former Fort Ord lands and addressed pre-disposal, disposal, and reuse actions.
Shortly after this publication was released, the U.S. Army (Army) produced a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) that included additional data, analysis and reuse alternatives. During this time, an agreement between the Army, USFWS, U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), University of California (UC), and FORA had determined to revise the 1994 HMP, presenting the same goals and objectives but modifying several reuse scenarios related to specific land use descriptors. The revised HMP <ref>  [http://science.csumb.edu/~fwatson/outlet/HMP_1997_bw-1787.pdf Habitat Management Plan] </ref> was. Development and implementation of a multispecies HMP was identified by the  as a mitigation effort for impact to wildlife and vegetation resources.
+
Shortly after this publication was released, the U.S. Army (Army) produced a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) that included additional data, analysis and reuse alternatives. During this time, an agreement between the Army, USFWS, U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), University of California (UC), and FORA had determined to revise the 1994 HMP, presenting the same goals and objectives but modifying several reuse scenarios related to specific land use descriptors. The revised HMP <ref>  [http://science.csumb.edu/~fwatson/outlet/HMP_1997_bw-1787.pdf Habitat Management Plan] </ref> was.
  
 
== [http://fora-esca-rp.com/index.html Environmental Services Cooperative Agreement (ESCA) Remediation Program] ==
 
== [http://fora-esca-rp.com/index.html Environmental Services Cooperative Agreement (ESCA) Remediation Program] ==

Revision as of 12:55, 3 April 2013

History

Currently, the reuse planning and cleanup of the former Fort Ord lands is conducted by the Fort Ord Reuse Authority (FORA), an economic planning group created by legislation that represents the neighboring governments of Monterey County and the cities of Carmel, Del Rey Oaks, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Salinas, Sand City and Seaside, as well as local and state ex officio members. FORA is responsible for implementing the legislatively mandated mission that requires them to oversee replacement land use and compliance measures, enhance the economy through reuse and development of required infrastructure, and provide environmental reserve protection (FORA 1997). The FORA Base Reuse Plan (BRP) was enacted in 1997, allocating 75% of the land to open space, habitat management and recreational uses, with the rest being developed for jobs and housing. Of this area, the BLM currently manages 8,000 acres and will acquire another 7,000 once the Army has declared it safe for civilian use. A reuse plan and environmental impact report must be completed prior to any transfer of land from military to civilian use [1] .

Fort Ord Base Reuse Plan

Adopted in 1997, the comprehensive plan includes development for habitat/open space, commercial, hospitality, residential and recreation uses. [2]

Major Land Use Jurisdictions

  • City of Seaside
  • City of Marina
  • CIty of Monterey
  • City of Del Rey Oaks
  • County of Monterey
  • University of California (MBEST Center)
  • CSU Monterey Bay
  • Presidio of Monterey Annex (POMA)

Habitat Management Plan

Following the order to close and dispose of Fort Ord, a Biological Assessment (BA) was conducted since this closure was considered a major federal action by potentially affecting eight species proposed for listing or listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). This assessment, conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), was prepared to identify potential loss of populations and habitats of these species, as well as resulting caretaker actions, disposal actions, and six reuse alternatives. The 1993 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), along with the BA, prompted development and implementation of a multispecies Habitat Management Plan (HMP). This HMP was developed in compliance with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USWS) final Biological/Conference Opinion for the disposal and reuse of the former Fort Ord land in order to establish management and conservation guidelines for the wildlife, plant species and habitats in the former Fort Ord lands and addressed pre-disposal, disposal, and reuse actions. Shortly after this publication was released, the U.S. Army (Army) produced a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) that included additional data, analysis and reuse alternatives. During this time, an agreement between the Army, USFWS, U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), University of California (UC), and FORA had determined to revise the 1994 HMP, presenting the same goals and objectives but modifying several reuse scenarios related to specific land use descriptors. The revised HMP [3] was.

Environmental Services Cooperative Agreement (ESCA) Remediation Program

On March 31, 2007, the U.S. Army and FORA entered into an ESCA, enabling the Army to transfer approximately nine parcels of land (3,340 acres) contaminated with military munitions (also called unexploded ordnance [UXO] or munitions and explosives of concern [MEC]) to FORA. All munition response actions for these nine parcels are the responsibility of FORA. The Army maintains responsibility for all other contamination issues, including groundwater, soil, and landfill concerns. Under the ESCA, the Army is allowed to provide FORA with dedicated funding for munitions remediation on these specifics parcels of land.

ESCA provides the following:

  • Funds for the EPA and CA Department of Toxic and Substances Control (DTSC) oversight
  • FORA reused and remedial work coordination
  • Safe and effective munitions remediation

Clean up Programs

Maps

FORA's Land Use Concept Map for Development

Development Projects

Below is a list of current or proposed development projects for the former Fort Ord lands according to FORA.

City of Marina

  • The Dunes on Monterey Bay (formerly known as University Village) includes a 365,00 square foot shopping center featuring retails like Kohls, REI, Best Buy, Michael's Art & Crafts, Old Navy, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Target.
  • Marina Heights is a residential project that will be developed on approximately 250 acres.

City of Seaside

  • Seaside Resort Development, LLC (SRD) is a mixed use project with golf course, residential, and visitor-serving uses on the existing 375-acre Bayonet and Blackhorse Golf Course parcel. In January 2009, SRD completed the upgrade of the Bayonet and Blackhorse gold courses to meet current PGA standards. The next phase of development includes a four-star hotel with approximately 275 rooms, 175 timeshares units and 1256 custom residential lots fronting the redesigned, award-winning courses. In July 2009, SRD released the frist 30 residential lots at the The Enclave at Cypress Grove for sale.
  • Main Gate Retail Center is a new regional retail project that will be developed on approximately 53 acres of vacant coastal land at the main gate of the former Fort Ord Army Base and adjacent to California Sate University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) campus. The proposed mixed-use project will feature approximately 500,000 of open-air retail and entertainment space. The project will include other amenities such as a 250 room hotel/conference center and spa.

County of Monterey

City of Del Rey Oaks

Links

FORA

References

  1. FORA Base Reuse Plan
  2. Fort Ord Reuse Plan Executive Summary
  3. Habitat Management Plan

Disclaimer

This page may contain student work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessary reflect the opinion or policy of CSUMB, its staff, or students.