To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Public Infrastructure
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2550
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Fourth
Title:
Title
Funding Agreements for District Four Vegetation Management
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Authorize the Director of Public Infrastructure to enter into funding agreements with Northern Sonoma Fire Protection District for vegetation management along Franz Valley Road for the amount of $150,000 and Russian Riverkeeper for Arundo Donax eradication along the Russian River in the amount of $190,000, take all other necessary actions to implement the agreements, including executing minor amendments, and authorize expenditures as needed to support program objectives;
B) Make a finding that the proposed expenditures are necessary to meet the social needs of the population of the County pursuant to Government Code Section 26227.
end
Executive Summary:
The Sonoma County Public Infrastructure Department (SPI) is requesting authorization to enter into funding agreements with Northern Sonoma Fire Protection District and Russian Riverkeeper for vegetation management along Franz Valley Road and the Russian River. During the FY 2021-22 Budget Hearings the Board allocated $2.5 million from available PG&E Settlement funds and Permit Sonoma Fire Prevention funds to establish a countywide Hazardous Tree Removal Fund. The $2.5 million was allocated equally among the five Supervisorial Districts ($500,000 each). To date, a cumulative total of $662,000 has been expended across all Districts, and District Four has $399,813 of its $500,000 allocation remaining.
At the direction of District Four, SPI requests authority to execute two funding agreements, one with the Northern Sonoma Fire Protection District in the amount of for $150,000 for tree removal along Franz Valley Road and one with Russian Riverkeeper in the amount of $190,000 for Arundo Donax removal along the Russian River.
Discussion:
In response to large scale wildfires in 2017, 2019, and 2020 the Board allocated $2.5 million during the Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget hearings for vegetation management and hazardous tree removal. The $2.5 million was evenly divided between Supervisorial Districts ($500,000 each). To date, a cumulative total of $662,000 has been expended across all Districts and District Four has $399,813 of its $500,000 allocation remaining.
At the direction of District Four, SPI requests authority to execute funding agreements with Northern Sonoma Fire Protection District for a not-to-exceed amount of $150,000 with a term ending December 31, 2025 and Russian Riverkeeper for a not-to-exceed amount of $190,000 with a term ending December 31, 2025.
Northern Sonoma Fire Protection District will address the removal of dead and dying trees that pose a risk of failing or fire along segments of Franz Valley Road. The work will include development and approval of a tree removal plan, traffic control, and tree removal/disposal in coordination with private property owners along the road. SPI will provide project management and oversight.
Russian Riverkeeper will provide removal of Arundo Donax along the Russian River. Arundo Donax is an invasive species and removal is crucial for hazardous fuels reduction, fire prevention, and the overall health of the river ecosystem. The work will focus on removal of Arundo Donax adjacent to the Russian River from Redwood Drive in Healdsburg approximately two miles upstream to the Rio Lindo Bend. Work performed by Russian Riverkeeper along the Russian River is covered under the California Vegetation Treatment Program (CALVTP) permit.
These programs will help mitigate fire risks, reduce flooding impacts, improve drought resilience, and enhance native wildlife habitat. The funding agreements are authorized under Government Code Section 26227, pursuant to which the Board may fund programs deemed by the Board to be necessary to meet the social needs of the population of the County, including but not limited to, the areas of health, public safety, and welfare.
Strategic Plan:
This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.
Pillar: Climate Action and Resiliency
Goal: Goal 1: Continue to invest in wildfire preparedness and resiliency strategies
Objective: Objective 2: Expand outreach and education on vegetation management and provide additional resources to land owners to help mitigate fire risk.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
N/A
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY24-25 Adopted |
FY25-26 Projected |
FY26-27 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$340,000 |
|
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$340,000 |
|
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
$340,000 |
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
General Fund Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$340,000 |
|
|
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Appropriations for these agreements are available in the FY 2024-25 PGE2017 Hazardous Trees Adopted Budget (10137-16022106-53501-Program Code 16TD4).
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
Map of Arundo Donax eradication area
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
CALVTP Permit Documentation