Regional Growth
Regional growth and development pose the single greatest threat to the land and resources of the BRBNA and therefore present significant implications for future conservation efforts within the BRBNA. Uncontrolled and unplanned regional growth has the potential to severely impact the region's biodiversity, working ranches, and recreational opportunities.  Demand for housing spurred by regional growth will be the primary impetus behind development pressures, both in and outside the BRBNA boundaries.  Growth projections suggest that existing urban areas in close proximity to the BRBNA will expand while rural areas including lands within the BRBNA will face increased development pressure as opportunities for housing close to employment centers outside of the BRBNA become more limited.

Growth is likely to occur in two patterns – intensified development within the BRBNA on existing agricultural and natural resource lands; and increased densities in existing urban and suburban areas.

The first regional growth pattern, development within the BRBNA boundary, could occur if adequate land use controls are not in place.  Development could take the form of new isolated subdivisions, increased rural residential development ("ranchette" development - homes on 5 to 20 acre lots), and residential estate development (sizable homes built on very large parcels of ranchland), resulting in the land being taken out productive ranching/agriculture.  Some examples include the extension of large lot rural estates north from Pleasants Valley Road into Yolo County and the interest in developing Guenoc Ranch in Lake County. 

The second regional growth pattern, increased densities in urban and suburban areas, could impact the BRBNA in several ways.  First the increased population will seek areas for recreation away from their local communities. The BRBNA is located within two hours of the Bay Area and Sacramento regions and is a likely destination for suburban dwellers seeking new recreational experiences.  In addition, increased urban densities could result in leapfrog development.  Leapfrog development occurs when new development "leaps over" areas where development restrictions are relatively strong, onto less expensive lands with fewer restrictions.  Development of this type has occurred throughout the perimeter of the Bay Area.  The core of the Bay Area consists largely of either privately owned developed land or protected conservation land, with an extremely limited amount of available undeveloped, unprotected land.  Due to this lack of available land, new suburban development is now making its way into areas once considered far too remote from urban centers to attract significant new development. Communities in and adjacent to the Bay Area that have experienced significant "leapfrog" development extend all the way from Cloverdale in northern Sonoma County to Hollister in San Benito County.

The BRBNA still provides a respite from this leapfrog pattern due in large part to its ruggedness and relative inaccessibility by major roadways.  However, given development pressures and the significant population growth predicted for BRBNA counties and surrounding San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento Valley regions, the BRBNA may well prove to be a desirable location for development unless appropriate land use and other protective measures are put into place. 

County Growth and Policies
Regional growth and development pose the single greatest threat to the land and resources of the BRBNA and therefore present significant implications for future conservation efforts within the BRBNA. Uncontrolled and unplanned regional growth has the potential to severely impact the region's biodiversity, working ranches, and recreational opportunities.  Demand for housing spurred by regional growth will be the primary impetus behind development pressures, both in and outside the BRBNA boundaries.  Growth projections suggest that existing urban areas in close proximity to the BRBNA will expand while rural areas including lands within the BRBNA will face increased development pressure as opportunities for housing close to employment centers outside of the BRBNA become more limited.

Growth is likely to occur in two patterns – intensified development within the BRBNA on existing agricultural and natural resource lands; and increased densities in existing urban and suburban areas.

The first regional growth pattern, development within the BRBNA boundary, could occur if adequate land use controls are not in place.  Development could take the form of new isolated subdivisions, increased rural residential development ("ranchette" development - homes on 5 to 20 acre lots), and residential estate development (sizable homes built on very large parcels of ranchland), resulting in the land being taken out productive ranching/agriculture.  Some examples include the extension of large lot rural estates north from Pleasants Valley Road into Yolo County and the interest in developing Guenoc Ranch in Lake County. 

The second regional growth pattern, increased densities in urban and suburban areas, could impact the BRBNA in several ways.  First the increased population will seek areas for recreation away from their local communities. The BRBNA is located within two hours of the Bay Area and Sacramento regions and is a likely destination for suburban dwellers seeking new recreational experiences.  In addition, increased urban densities could result in leapfrog development.  Leapfrog development occurs when new development "leaps over" areas where development restrictions are relatively strong, onto less expensive lands with fewer restrictions.  Development of this type has occurred throughout the perimeter of the Bay Area.  The core of the Bay Area consists largely of either privately owned developed land or protected conservation land, with an extremely limited amount of available undeveloped, unprotected land.  Due to this lack of available land, new suburban development is now making its way into areas once considered far too remote from urban centers to attract significant new development. Communities in and adjacent to the Bay Area that have experienced significant "leapfrog" development extend all the way from Cloverdale in northern Sonoma County to Hollister in San Benito County.

The BRBNA still provides a respite from this leapfrog pattern due in large part to its ruggedness and relative inaccessibility by major roadways.  However, given development pressures and the significant population growth predicted for BRBNA counties and surrounding San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento Valley regions, the BRBNA may well prove to be a desirable location for development unless appropriate land use and other protective measures are put into place.