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5 <br /> <br />3. Conservation Element <br />The main features of this element include protection of the public health, safety and <br />welfare through effective management of natural resource such as clean air, water <br />and land; as well as the enhancement of the City’s aesthetic and visual amenities <br />through the use of vegetation and restoration of natural, historic and cultural <br />resources. <br /> <br /> Consistent with CalRecycle mandates, the City’s Recycling Program achieved a <br />67-percent diversion rate for calendar year 2020. The City’s 2021 waste diversion <br />rate will be available in August 2022. The City’s waste disposal agreement with the <br />County of Orange ensures funding for regional programming through the County, <br />such as a pilot composting program. <br /> In March 2020, the City issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for ci tywide solid <br />waste and recycling services. This agreement was approved on August 17, 2021, <br />with program implementation anticipated in July 1, 2022. <br /> The City continues to review residential and mixed -use development proposals in <br />the District Center (DC) and Urban Neighborhood (UN) areas near high quality <br />transit amenities to help reduce the carbon footprint. Some of these areas include <br />the Transit Zoning Code (SD-84), Metro East Mixed Use Overlay Zone (MEMU), <br />Harbor Corridor Mixed Use Transit Corridor Specific Plan (SP-2) and MainPlace <br />Specific Plan (SP-4). In late 2021, over 2,200 residential units were under <br />construction in the City’s DC and UN area boundaries <br /> As part of the General Plan Update underway, the City has identified opportunity <br />"Focus Areas" to consider new housing and mixed-use sustainable development <br />along transit corridors through proposed expansion of District Center and Urban <br />Neighborhood land use designations. https://www.santa-ana.org/general-plan <br /> The City continues to collaborate with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern <br />California (MWD) to provide imported water, which makes up 23% of the City ’s <br />total potable water supply. <br /> The City’s Water Resources Division Public Outreach Program is ongoing, which <br />includes the City’s Annual Youth Water Poster Contest promoting awareness <br />among youth of the importance of water as a valuable resource. <br /> Ongoing sponsorship and support of the MWD K-12 Water Education School <br />Programs that educate youth about water conservation and sustainability. <br /> The City continues to seek expanded use of recycled water for landscape irrigation <br />at schools, businesses, medians, and parks through the Orange County Water <br />District’s (OCWD) Green Acres Project (GAP). <br /> The Public Works Agency continues the management of the Fats, Oils & Grease <br />(FOG) Program, which is part of the Sanitary Sewer System Waster Discharge <br />Requirements Program, to inspect food service establishments (FSEs), public <br />outreach and education, and effective reinforcement of best management <br />practices.