COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Environmental Services Agency

 

DATE:

March 18, 2003

   

BOARD MEETING DATE:

April 22, 2003

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Marcia Raines, Director, Environmental Services Agency

SUBJECT:

Agreement with Tenera Environmental to Conduct a Marine Resource Assessment at the James T. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve

 

Recommendation

That the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution:

 

1.

Approving an agreement with Tenera Environmental in the amount of $139,837; and

 

2.

Authorizing the Director of Environmental Services Agency or her designee to execute minor amendments up to an aggregate of $25,000 for the term of the agreement.

 

Background

In 2001 the State of California sent out a solicitation to Coastal Counties for projects to be funded from offshore oil drilling funds. Each County was eligible for a percentage of the available funds based on the length of coastline per County. Based on a recommended implementation action of the Draft Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Master Plan, San Mateo County Parks submitted a proposal to do a resource assessment of the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve to determine if there is a scientific basis for increasing or improving natural resource protection at the Reserve, including determination of whether the Reserve should be designated as a Marine Protected Area. County Parks received funding in the amount of $145,934.

 

Discussion

A Request for Proposal (RFP) was developed with input from the California Department of Fish and Game, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Gulf of the Farralones National Marine Sanctuary, Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. Following circulation of the RFP to approximately 30 firms, proposals to do the resource assessment were submitted by four firms: Sycamore Associates, Environmental Sciences Associates, Applied Sciences, and Tenera Environmental. Following a Review Committee's consideration of the proposals, Tenera Environmental was selected.

 

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Agreement with Tenera Environmental as to form.

 

Visioning Alignment

The Marine Reserve Resource Assessment keeps the commitment to Preserve and Provide People Access to the Environment and goal number 14: Important natural resources are preserved and enhanced through environmental stewardship. The agreement with Tenera Environmental will contribute to this commitment by providing scientific documentation and public input for a better understanding of how best to protect and enhance the sensitive marine resources at the Reserve while facilitating human access.

 

Fiscal Impact

The contract total is $139,837. The remaining funds, in the amount of $6,097, will be used by County Parks for the administration of the project including room reservations, copying, and mailings. County Parks is in the process of receiving the total amount of funds for the project in the amount of $145,934 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). As required invoices will be sent in to NOAA as the project is implemented as proof of progress. With the exception of staff costs to oversee the project, there will be no County cost to implement the project. The project is to be completed by December 30, 2004. Per the grant, all funds are required to be spent by February 28, 2005.