Goal 7 Paleontological Resources

Goal NR-7: Identify, honor, and protect historically significant paleontological resources so they can be scientifically studied and preserved for current and future generations.

Paleontological resources include any fossilized remains, traces, or imprints of organisms preserved in or on the earth’s crust that provide information about the history of life on earth, evolution, and our place as humans in the world. Most of the Planning Area is located on Quaternary sedimentary deposits which are from the most recent geologic periods dating back to 1.6 million years ago. Some of eastern Hayward is located on sedimentary rocks from the Mesozoic period dating back to 245 million years ago, when dinosaurs inhabited the earth. The goal and policies in this section seek to protect paleontological resources so they can be preserved for current and future generations.   

The City shall prohibit any new public or private development that damages or destroys a historically- or prehistorically-significant fossil, ruin, or monument, or any object of antiquity.

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)

The City shall develop or ensure compliance with protocols that protect or mitigate impacts to paleontological resources, including requiring grading and construction projects to cease activity when a paleontological resource is discovered so it can be safely removed.

Regulation and Development Review (RDR)City Master Plans, Strategies, and Programs (MPSP)