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COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
Inter-Departmental Correspondence
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Department of Parks
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DATE:
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August 21, 2008
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BOARD MEETING DATE:
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September 9, 2008
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SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:
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None
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VOTE REQUIRED:
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Majority
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TO:
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Honorable Board of Supervisors
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FROM:
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David G. Holland, Director of Parks
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SUBJECT:
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California State Parks Habitat Conservation Fund Program Grant for the Seal Cove Trail Improvement Project at James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
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RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution 1) authorizing the County of San Mateo to apply for and accept a California State Parks and Recreation Habitat Conservation Fund Program grant in the amount of $157,200 for the Seal Cove Trail Improvement Project at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve; 2) making certain assurances required by the Grantor; and 3) delegating the authority to the Director of Parks or his designee to execute in the name of the County of San Mateo all necessary applications, contracts, agreements, amendments and payment requests hereto for the purposes of implementing the purposes specified in the grant application.
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VISION ALIGNMENT:
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Commitment: Preserve and provide people access to our natural environment.
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Goal(s): 15. Residents have nearby access to green space, such as parks and recreational opportunities.
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The Seal Cove Trail Improvement Project is an approximately 160-foot trail access improvement project at the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. The project will rehabilitate and replace an existing trail that is in very poor condition. The trail connects the bluff to the Moss Beach Reef and is a very popular access point used by visitors and docents leading groups of students.
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BACKGROUND:
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Seal Cove is midway along the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve shoreline. An existing Seal Cove trail from the bluff to beach has eroded over time from waves, wind, overland runoff, and normal cliff retreat typically associated with coastal bluffs. The current trail is made of cut slopes and wash outs; however the slope at this location is extremely steep and the drop at the beach end of the existing trail makes this a very difficult trail except for the most agile of our visitors.
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A Seal Cove access point to the beach and reef is very popular with local residents as well as with the Friends of Fitzgerald Marine docents for their guided visits to the reef with school children. Most local visitors use Seal Cove as their primary access to the Reserve. In addition to providing safe access for public enjoyment, repairing the trail will facilitate the environmental education activities and scientific research that occurs at the environmentally sensitive reserve.
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In 2006, the California State Lands Commission awarded a $125,000 grant for the project. From that grant, $79,066.07 was used to obtain all permits and to develop a complete set of construction plans and specifications. Once full funding is secured, the trail will be constructed.
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DISCUSSION:
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For the Seal Cove Trail Improvement Project, the engineer’s cost estimate is $314,400. This grant application requests the maximum allowable amount of $157,200 or 50% of the project construction costs. The balance will be funded by the balance of the State Lands Commission grant ($45,933.93) and donations.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
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This grant will fund 50% of the Seal Cove Trail Improvement Project. The balance will be funded with part of a California State Lands Commission grant and donations. There will be no Net County Cost associated with the project.
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