COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Environmental Services Agency

DATE:

October 4, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

October 24, 2006

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Marcia Raines, Director, Environmental Services Agency

SUBJECT:

California River Parkways Grant Application in the Amount of $500,000 for the Pescadero Creek Riparian Habitat Improvement Project

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution 1) Authorizing the County of San Mateo to file a California River Parkways grant application in the amount of $500,000 for the Pescadero Creek Riparian Habitat Improvement Project; 2) Certifying that the Applicant understands the assurances and certification in the application; 3) Certifying that the Applicant will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the Project consistent with the land tenure requirements; or will secure the resources to do so; 4) Certifying that the Applicant will comply with the provisions of Section 1771.8 of the State Labor Code regarding payment of prevailing wages on Projects awarded Proposition 50 Funds; 5) If applicable, certifying that the Project will comply with any laws and regulations including, but not limited to, legal requirements for building codes, health and safety codes, disabled access laws, and, that prior to commencement of construction, all applicable permits will have been obtained; and 6) Appointing the Director, Department of Parks, or designee, as agent to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents including, but not limited to applications, agreements, payment requests and so on, which may be necessary for the completion of the Project.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Preserve and provide people access to our natural environment.

Goal 14: Important natural resources are preserved through environmental stewardship.

This application for grant funding will contribute to the commitment and goal as the grant funding, if awarded, will be used for a project to both restore fish habitat and maintain drinking water for Park visitors.

BACKGROUND:

California voters passed the Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Act of 2002 (Proposition 50) on November 5, 2002. It added to the California Water Code Section 79541, authorizing the Legislature to appropriate $100 million for the California River Parkways Grant Program for the acquisition, restoration, protection and development of river parkways to public agencies and nonprofit organizations. The Office of the Secretary of Resources established the process used to solicit applications, evaluate proposals and award grants under this competitive program.

These funds will restore juvenile steelhead trout and coho salmon habitat on the middle reaches of Pescadero Creek in Memorial County Park through the removal of a concrete fish barrier, retaining wall and stairs, re-contouring the creek banks and revegetation with native riparian plants. Interpretive signs will educate park visitors about the project, riparian habitat and the fish’s life cycle. In addition, the project will maintain the Park’s water rights that provide drinking water to Park visitors.

DISCUSSION:

The San Mateo County Department of Parks has prepared a grant application to the California River Parkways Grant Program in the amount of $500,000 for the Pescadero Creek Riparian Habitat Improvement Project. The grant application is due by October 17, 2006. Park staff will submit the application with a note that the authorizing body, the Board of Supervisors, will consider the grant application on October 24, 2006.

The Project will remediate problems that are negatively impacting coho and steelhead habitat in Memorial County Park along reaches of Pescadero Creek as well as maintain the Park’s ability to provide drinking water to the campgrounds. Graphic interpretive signs will provide education to Park visitors about the restoration of salmonid freshwater habitat and the fish’s life cycle within the Pescadero Creek watershed. The Project is ranked as high priority by the Department of Parks.

Grant contracts will not be executed nor will construction bids be awarded until all funding is secured. The Project will be fully implemented between Labor Day, 2007 and October 15, 2007. Maintenance of the Pescadero Creek habitat improvements will fall under the normal activities of the Department of Parks.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There will be no impact on the County General Fund. If the grant application is approved and the $500,000 of funding is awarded, the funds would be deposited to and spent out of a non-general fund account.