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COUNTY OF SAN MATEOInter-Departmental Correspondence |
Department of Public Works |
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DATE: |
February 19, 2003 |
BOARD MEETING DATE: |
March 11, 2003 |
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TO: |
Honorable Board of Supervisors |
FROM: |
Neil R. Cullen, Director of Public Works |
SUBJECT: |
Fishery Restoration Grant - Assessment of Road Culverts as Fish Passage Barriers |
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Recommendation |
Adopt a resolution authorizing the Director of Public Works to execute an agreement with the State of California, Department of Fish and Game for a Fishery Restoration Grant, which will help finance the assessment of culverts that carry fish bearing streams under County roads as possible barriers to the passage of fish. |
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Previous Board Action |
Agreed to participate in the FishNet 4C Program, a program that evaluates current conditions and proposes new practices to improve Coho Salmon and Steelhead Trout populations in the County. |
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Key Facts |
1. |
A goal of the FishNet 4C Program is to address fish migration barriers, and to develop programs to remove potential barriers to fish migration as the lack of fish passage through culverts has been identified as a significant limiting factor for Salmon and Steelhead Trout along the California Coast. |
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2. |
The Federal Endangered Species Act Section 4(d) rule lists blockages at road/stream intersections as a potential form of "take" by disruption of migration (for feeding, breeding, and sheltering) and by potentially causing death (direct take) to Salmon or Steelhead. The evaluation of the stream crossings indicates that the County is seeking to comply with the 4(d) rule as it relates to stream crossings. |
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4. |
The State of California Department of Fish and Game requires a resolution authorizing a representative of the County to sign an agreement with them, in order for the County to receive Fishery Restoration Grant Funds for the proposed work. |
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Discussion |
The Department of Public Works has been systematically inventorying culverts and stream-crossings under County maintained roads to gather information regarding the age and condition of these culverts in order to prioritize repairs where needed. The proposed grant will allow us to build upon this information by funding the formal hydrological assessment of the culverts on fish-bearing streams. The assessment will recommend actions to eliminate any barriers and thereby provide upstream habitat for migrating and juvenile fish. These recommendations will be used in the prioritization of repairs and serve as a basis for future grants. |
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Vision Alignment |
We believe our recommendation is consistent with Goal Number 14, "important natural resources are preserved and enhanced through environmental stewardship" of the County's Shared Vision 2010, as the grant will enable us to identify improvements that will reopen upstream habitat for migrating fish. |
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Fiscal Impact |
The total estimated cost of the work is approximately $64,000 ($63,490) and funds have been appropriated in the 2002-03 Road Fund Budget to finance the proposed work. The Road Fund will be reimbursed a not-to-exceed amount of $45,190 from the Fishery Grant if your Board adopts the proposed resolution. |
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There is no impact to the General Fund. |
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A form of resolution has been approved by County Counsel. |