To: Board of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency
Staff Name and Phone Number: Chase Takajo 707-521-1872
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): First
Title:
Title
Sonoma Creek Watershed Debris Removal and Outreach
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute the Agreement for Funding of Sonoma Creek Watershed Debris Removal and Outreach Project with Sonoma Ecology Center through June 30, 2028, in the not-to-exceed amount of $250,000 in a form approved by County Counsel. (First District)
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Executive Summary:
Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) proposes to provide funding assistance to Sonoma Ecology Center for the Sonoma Creek Watershed Debris Removal and Outreach Project (Project). Under the Project, Sonoma Ecology Center (SEC) will develop educational materials for the public, conduct outreach to landowners, survey for debris jams, supervise community workdays and creek cleanups, and oversee site work for Sonoma Creek and its tributaries.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
Sonoma Water owns, operates, and maintains flood protection zones and implements flood protection services and projects for the following watersheds: Laguna de Santa Rosa/Mark West Creek (Zone 1A), Petaluma River (Zone 2A), Valley of the Moon (Zone 3A), Lower Russian River (Zone 5A), North Coastal (Zones 7A), and South Coastal (Zone 8A).
In response to calls from the public requesting assistance for flood protection-related issues in Sonoma Creek and its tributaries, Sonoma Water has paired with SEC since 2010 to implement the Project. Sonoma Water does not have the required permits or staff to conduct this work. Through an ongoing relationship with SEC, Sonoma Water is able to address public flood protection-related needs in flood protection zone 3A.
The Project, located in Zone 3A, aims to educate riparian landowners about debris management issues and assist in the removal of detrimental debris in creeks prior to winter storms to improve water quality and flood conveyance capacity.
The Project advances the objectives of the California State Water Resources Control Board’s Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) implementation plan for excess sediment by reducing stream bank erosion, estimated to produce over 50 percent of the excess sediment load impairing water quality and beneficial uses of Sonoma Creek and its tributaries.
SELECTION PROCESS
SEC’s longstanding presence in the area, resulting in strong knowledge of local conditions and an established network of contact with local stakeholders and landowners, makes SEC uniquely positioned and experienced for work in this project area.
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Under the proposed funding agreement, SEC will continue implementing the Project by offering landowners assistance with the management of in-stream deposits of storm debris, providing educational outreach, conducting upstream surveys for debris jams, and supervising community workdays. SEC will also assist with woody debris removal or relocation and community creek cleanups with landowners and volunteers.
California Environmental Quality Act
Debris removal activities in Zone 3A engineered and modified channels were evaluated in the Stream Maintenance Program (SMP) Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which was certified and approved by the Board of Directors on June 23, 2009. A Notice of Determination was filed on June 25, 2009. Debris removal activities in Zone 3A natural channels were addressed in the Zones 2A and 3A Natural Channels Maintenance Project Initial Study and Negative Declaration, which was certified and approved by the Board of Directors on February 9, 2016. The Notice of Determination was filed on February 9, 2016.
County of Sonoma Strategic Plan Alignment
This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.
Pillar: Resilient Infrastructure
Goal: Goal 5: Support, fund, and expand flood protection.
Objective: Objective 2: Implement land use planning and assessments to address flood protection, including river setbacks and riparian corridors, and make resources available for residents.
Project seeks to educate riparian landowners about debris management issues and assist in the removal of detrimental debris in creeks prior to winter storms to improve water quality and flood conveyance capacity to protect property and agricultural land.
Sonoma Water Strategic Plan Alignment
Flood Protection, Goal 1: Provide efficient and effective flood protection programs.
Project seeks to provide effective flood protection programs through educating riparian landowners about debris management issues and assisting in the removal of detrimental debris in creeks prior to winter storms.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
8/2/2016: Approved agreement between Sonoma Water and Sonoma Ecology Center for Sonoma Creek and tributaries debris management assistance. Cost $50,000; term end June 30, 2018.
4/21/2015: Approved agreement between Sonoma Water and Sonoma Ecology Center for Sonoma Creek Debris Removal and Landowner Outreach. Cost $50,000; term end April 30, 2017.
8/20/2013: Approved agreement between Sonoma Water and Sonoma Ecology Center to provide Sonoma Creek and tributaries debris management for flood control, and landowner outreach and education assistance. Cost $25,000; term end December 31, 2014.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY23-24 Adopted |
FY24-25 Projected |
FY25-26 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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|
|
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State/Federal |
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|
|
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Fees/Other |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
|
Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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|
|
|
Total Sources |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $50,000 is available from FY 2023/2024 appropriations for the Flood Control Zone 3A fund. FY 2024/2025, 2025/2026, 2026/2027, and 2027/2028 appropriations will be budgeted in those fiscal years.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
None.
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.