The Permittee Responsible Mitigation (PRM) process typically progresses through the following stages:
- Stage 1 - Property Eligibility
The Permittee Checklist of Documents for HMLA Property Review and Protection (PDF) (Permittee Checklist) lists documents that are submitted to CDFW region staff by the permittee. A CDFW region staff may conduct a site visit of the proposed property. CDFW region staff and MRPDA will review property-related documents to determine if the property is eligible to meet permit mitigation requirements, including acreage and biological suitability. CDFW region staff will notify the permittee of findings, and if the property is eligible, Stage 2 begins. If the property is not eligible, a different property or alternative form of mitigation must be proposed.
- Stage 2 - Property Acceptance
CDFW region staff will request documents identified in Stage 2 of the Permittee Checklist (PDF) and will provide a sample conservation easement (CE) unless property is being conveyed to CDFW in fee. The permittee shows any changes to the CE sample provided by CDFW in a red-line or strikeout format and submits it electronically to CDFW region staff. The documents will be reviewed by CDFW region staff, a right of way agent, and a land surveyor. Any substantive deviations from the CE sample may require review by CDFW's Office of the General Counsel. After review, CDFW region staff will notify the permittee of CDFW's decision to accept or deny the property as mitigation. When CDFW accepts the property, Stage 3 begins.
- Stage 3 - Property Protection and Closing Documentation
This stage takes place after the property has been accepted as mitigation by CDFW. During this stage, the property is protected by recording documents, transferring fee title or a conservation easement, and closing the real estate transaction. When CDFW is a third-party beneficiary, the permittee facilitates this transaction and provides CDFW with a digital copy of the closing package for permit compliance.
When CDFW is a conservation easement grantee or is acquiring land in fee title, the Wildlife Conservation Board will review the package and the executive director of the Wildlife Conservation Board must sign a certificate of acceptance. The Wildlife Conservation Board then sends escrow instructions, the conservation easement or grant deed, and the certificate of acceptance to the title company for recording and closing of the real estate transaction. The permittee or title company provides CDFW region staff with a digital copy of the closing package for record of permit compliance.