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COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
Inter-Departmental Correspondence
Department of Public Works
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DATE:
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May 18, 2011
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BOARD MEETING DATE:
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June 7, 2011
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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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James C. Porter, Director of Public Works
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SUBJECT:
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California Department of Parks and Recreation Grant for Marbled Murrelet Restoration and Corvid Management Project
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RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Director of Public Works, or his designee, to execute:
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A)
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A grant agreement from the California Department of Parks and Recreation to be used for the Marbled Murrelet Restoration and Corvid Management Project in the amount of $54,000
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B)
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Any other documents associated with acceptance of the grant funding from the California Department of Parks and Recreation in the amount of $54,000.
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BACKGROUND:
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In 2006, the California Department of Parks and Recreation worked with County Parks staff to develop mutually agreeable projects to mitigate damage to natural resources resulting from the Command Oil Tanker spill in 1998. Through this process, a Marbled Murrelet and Corvid Management Project in Big Basin; Butano and Portola State Parks; and Memorial County Park was developed. The funding for these projects is derived from Natural Resource Damage Assessments (NRDA) performed by the Environmental Protection Agency and subsequently recovered from the responsible parties.
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The California Department of Parks and Recreation administers NRDA funding through grant agreements with impacted jurisdictions and requires a resolution from your Board to execute the grant agreement. The grant funding provides a budget for a project manager, seasonal interpretive employees, food storage and garbage control improvements for a three-year Marbled Murrelet Restoration and Corvid Management Project at Memorial County Park.
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This is the third grant for the Marbled Murrelet Restoration and Corvid Management Project. The two previous projects were completed in December 2007 and December 2010 and were performed concurrent with State Parks projects.
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DISCUSSION:
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The purpose of the Marbled Murrelet Restoration and Corvid Management Project is the protection of the Marbled Murrelet from Corvids. The Marbled Murrelet is a threatened species of seabird that nests on branches of large trees within older coniferous forests in Pacific northwestern coastal areas, such as the trees found in Memorial County Park and other nearby State Parks in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
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The Corvids, particularly ravens and jays, are the primary nest predators of marbled murrelets. There is substantial evidence that Corvids associate people with food and are attracted to areas where people congregate, such as campgrounds, picnic areas and trails. The Project funds the purchase and installation of animal-proof food lockers and garbage containers to eliminate access for the Corvids to human food. Seasonal park interpretive staff will talk informally with campers and picnickers and provide campground talks about ways that park visitors can help us support Marbled Murrelet survival.
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County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution as to form.
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Approval of this Resolution contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of an Environmentally Conscious Community as this grant funding furthers the management of a threatened species and natural resources for visitors to our County parks.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
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The Project will be fully funded by the $54,000 grant. There is no impact to the General Fund.
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