COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

DATE:

July 9, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

July 27, 2004

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Neil R. Cullen, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Fishery Restoration Grants – Alpine Creek Fish Ladder Maintenance Project, Pescadero Creek Sediment Reduction Project, and Tarwater Creek Sediment Reduction Project

Recommendation

Adopt resolutions authorizing the Director of Public Works to execute three (3) agreements with the California Department of Fish and Game for Fishery Restoration Grants, and to sign other necessary permit applications and permits associated with the construction and implementation of the projects and other associated work to improve fish passage and reduce sediment entering Pescadero Creek.

Previous Board Action

1.

Agreed to participate in the Fishnet 4C Program, a program that evaluates current conditions and proposes practices to improve the Coho Salmon and Steelhead Trout populations in the County.

2.

Authorized the joint application of a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit (NPDES) with the 20 cities in the County, which commits the County and the cities to reduce the pollutant loads in stormwater runoff.

Key Facts

1.

The repair or replacement of the fish ladder in Alpine Creek, the repair of culverts on Pescadero Creek Road and the regrading of roads in the Pescadero/Memorial/ Sam McDonald County Park Complex are proposed to:

a.

improve the habitat of the Coho Salmon and Steelhead Trout in keeping with the Fishnet 4C Program; and

b.

reduce pollutant loads in Pescadero Creek in keeping with our NPDES permit.

2.

The California Department of Fish and Game requires a resolution authorizing a representative of the County to sign an agreement with them for each grant, in order for the County to receive Fishery Restoration Grant Funds for the proposed work.

Discussion

The Department of Fish and Game issued a request for proposals for fishery restoration projects in early 2003. Three proposals were submitted by the County and subsequently approved by Fish and Game for grant funding. The following are descriptions of the proposed work:

Alpine Creek Fish Ladder Maintenance Project – The project will repair or replace failing boulder weirs immediately downstream of an existing fish ladder on Alpine Creek at Pescadero Creek Road. The intended function of the existing boulder weirs is to create step pools to allow steelhead to easily access the fish ladder and its resting pool. The existing weirs currently create conditions that present a barrier to upstream migration during high flows due to excessive stream velocities.

Pescadero Creek Park Complex Sediment Reduction Project – The project will treat approximately 5.7 miles of road, including sites on Pescadero Creek Road and within the Park, and will reduce future delivery of sediment into Pescadero Creek by approximately 22,500 cubic yards. The work will be performed in three highly sensitive and visible areas of the Pescadero/Memorial/Sam McDonald County Park Complex as well as on Pescadero Creek Road.

Tarwater Creek Sediment Reduction Project – The project will treat approximately
2.9 miles of road and will reduce future delivery of sediment into Pescadero Creek by approximately 14,300 cubic yards. The work will be performed in the Camp Pomponio area (former Sheriff’s Honor Camp) and the Tarwater Creek sub-basin of the Pescadero Creek County Park.

Vision Alignment

We believe our recommendation is consistent with the Shared Commitment to “preserve and provide people with access to our natural environment” and Goal Number 14 “important natural resources are preserved and enhanced through environmental stewardship” as securing California Department of Fish and Game grants provides a vehicle to substantially finance projects that improve the conditions for Coho Salmon and Steelhead Trout in the County’s coastal streams.

Fiscal Impact

There is a “local match” required for the Fisheries Grant, and we are proposing to meet the local match requirement by financing the grant eligible work on the County maintained road system with Road Funds, and using the Grants to finance the work in the Park and in Alpine Creek.

The total estimated cost of the work is $699,000 and is proposed to be initially financed with Road Funds as grant funds are received on a reimbursable basis. The following is the final proposed cost distribution:

Road Funds

$101,900

Fisheries Grants

$597,100

Total

$699,000

The September Budget Revisions will include $597,100 in the Road Fund appropriation to recognize the Fishery Restoration Grants.

There is no impact to the General Fund.

Forms of resolutions have been approved by County Counsel. Fish and Game has requested a separate resolution for each Grant.