COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Parks and Department of Planning

DATE:

December 19, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

January 8, 2008

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

David G. Holland, Director of Parks

Lisa Grote, Director of Planning and Building

SUBJECT:

Approval of Funding Submittals for a Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Vegetation Management Program Proposal and a Midcoast Groundwater Assessment and Management Project Proposal to the California Resources Agency for the Coastal Impact Assistance Program

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution approving submittals for a Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Vegetation Management Program proposal and a Midcoast Groundwater Assessment and Management Project proposal to the California Resources Agency for the Coastal Impact Assistance Program and authorizing the Director of Parks and the Director of Planning and Building to apply for approximately $279,000 in funding.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitments: Preserve and provide people access to our natural environment. Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goals 14 and 7: Important natural resources are preserved and enhanced through environmental stewardship. Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors.

Both proposals would contribute to Goal 14. The Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Vegetation Management Program (FMRVMP) would assist with the protection and restoration of natural habitats in the Reserve, including the upland areas of the Reserve, the San Vicente Creek channel, and Pillar Point Marsh wetlands. The Midcoast Groundwater Assessment and Management Project (MGAMP) would assist in the protection of aquatic habitats located within and near Midcoast groundwater basins, such as the Pillar Point Marsh and coastal creeks such as Arroyo de en Medio, Denniston Creek, and San Vicente Creek.

The MGAMP would also contribute to Goal 7 in that it would address concerns regarding the long term sustainability of Midcoast water supplies, the protection of which is essential to the health and safety of both residents and visitors.

BACKGROUND:

California’s Coastal Impact Assistance Plan (CIAP) receives federal funds from the Coastal Impact Assistance Program. San Mateo County is being allocated 2.67% of the CIAP funds, which is $69,599 for four years, or approximately $279,000 total.

DISCUSSION:

Parks and Planning staff identified two projects that meet the CIAP funding criteria, and agree the proposed FMRVMP is the primary or “first-tier” application, and the proposed MGAMP is the “second-tier” application. As a second tier application, MGAMP will only be funded if the FMRVMP is not approved for the use of CIAP funds, or if the project was cancelled for some unforeseen reason.

The FMRVMP would address conservation, protection and restoration of areas within the Reserve, including the development of a vegetation management program to maintain the Monterey cypress tree grove on the bluffs and restore native vegetation in the San Vicente Creek channel and other nearby projects. The projects were selected based on recommendations from the “James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve: Resource Assessment, Decision-Making Guidelines for Vegetation Management, San Mateo County Parks,” which assessment was funded by prior CIAP funding, and the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Master Plan.

The MGAMP would complete additional studies and monitoring to determine the safe yield of groundwater basins, and develop groundwater management plans for the long term protection of these Midcoast basins and related aquatic habitats.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The FMRVMP would have no fiscal impact to the General Fund; the $279,000 over four years would fully fund it and an in-kind match of Parks staff planning activities and project management would satisfy the required ten percent fund match.

The four-year MGAMP cost is estimated at $750,000. CIAP funding would be approximately $279,000; and there is approximately $126,500 remaining from a previously allocated funding approved by the Board to study Midcoast groundwater issues. The remaining balance of approximately $344,500 would need to be obtained through future allocations from the General Fund, Planning Department reserves, non-federal grant sources, participation of local service districts, or some combination of these sources.