To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Public Infrastructure - Airport Division
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2550
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Wildlife Exclusion Perimeter Fence Project CEQA Mitigated Negative Declaration - Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a Resolution that adopts the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND), adopts the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, and approves the Airport Wildlife Fence Project. (4/5th Vote Required)
end
Executive Summary:
The Department of Public Infrastructure-Airport Division (Airport) is requesting adoption of a Resolution for a Mitigated Negative Declaration and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program and approve the Airport Wildlife Exclusion Perimeter Fence Project.
Discussion:
On April 20, 2022, the Board approved Task Order #20 with Mead & Hunt, Inc. for general, program, and grant management consulting services for the Airport perimeter fence upgrade. Mead & Hunt has provided design and bid administration assistance for the Perimeter Fence project.
The Airport has documented wildlife hazards in the Airport operations areas. The County Department of Public Infrastructure (SPI) proposes the construction of a wildlife exclusion perimeter fence along the Airport boundary to help prevent the wildlife from entering the Airport.
There are several reasons for the Airport to implement a wildlife exclusion perimeter fence, including:
• To bring the Airport up to standards set by the FAA.
• To stay consistent with the Airport’s Wildlife Hazard Management Plan.
• To reduce wildlife hazards on the airfield.
Perimeter Fence Construction
Several factors have been considered in the design of the perimeter fence:
Non-Paved Areas: For the portions of the fence that would be on non-paved areas, a “Dig Defense” barrier would be used, which would reduce the likelihood of burrowing animals accessing the Airport.
Existing Fencing: In areas where there is existing fencing, sections currently at six-foot high would be raised to at least eight feet.
Streams: In areas where fencing crosses steams, lower portions of the fence will be fitted with horizontal bars to keep deer out of the Airport.
Maintenance: Installation of this specialized fence would require sinking of fence posts in the streambed. A gravel road would be constructed from Windsor Road to provide access for maintenance.
The Project construction is estimated to be completed in a single season, pending weather.
Mitigated Negative Declaration
The proposed project has been analyzed under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). An initial study was prepared for the Project by RS&H, which determined that the project could be mitigated to reduce environmental impacts.
Pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 23A of the County Code, the draft Initial study was presented to the county Environmental Review Committee (ERC) <https://permitsonoma.org/boardscommissionsandcommittees/environmentalreviewcommittee> on September 13, 2022. The ERC reviewed the study and recommended a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) be prepared. The MND identifies mitigation measures, including for biological and cultural resources, and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the proposed project.
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
The Project design and Mitigation and Monitoring program include measures to mitigate any potential environmental impacts. There is no substantial evidence that the proposed project may have a significant effect on the environment and therefore, adoption of the MND is appropriate under CEQA guidelines. The mitigation measures in the MND have been revised to incorporate the suggestions in a comment letter received from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The proposed resolution finds that these measures are equivalent or more effective, and that recirculation of the MND is not legally required.
Sonoma County Public Infrastructure (SPI) recommends that the Board approve the attached resolution to adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program and approve the wildlife exclusion perimeter fence project. If the project is approved by the Board, SPI will proceed with final design and bidding, and will return to the Board for awarding of the construction contract.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
5/25/2021: Board approved Amendment and Task Orders #14, #15, #16, #17, and #18 with Mead & Hunt
2/26/2019: Board approved Task Order #9 with Mead & Hunt
11/13/2018: Board approved Agreement for Environmental Assessment for Perimeter Fence Upgrade at Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport
3/28/2017: Board approved Task Order #7 with Mead & Hunt
9/13/2016: Board approved Task Order #5 with Mead & Hunt
2/9/2016: Board approved a new five-year Master Agreement with Mead & Hunt for on-call engineering services at the Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport
4/19/2022 Board approved Task Order #20 with Mead & Hunt, Inc. for general, program, and grant management consulting services for the Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport in relation to the Airport perimeter fence upgrade.
12/6/2023 Board approved Master Agreement with RS&H for sustainability and environmental services and a new Master Agreement with Mead & Hunt for planning, engineering, and architectural services
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 22-23 Adopted |
FY23-24 Projected |
FY 24-25 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$500,000 |
|
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$500,000 |
|
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
$500,000 |
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$500,000 |
|
|
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Current funding for this project is being funded from Airport rents, fees, and other revenues but it is anticipated that these funds will be reimbursed through a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant under the Airport Improvement Project (AIP) program being considered pending the MND and CEQA plans being approved.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
Draft Resolution
Mitigated Negative Declaration
Mitigation, Monitoring, and Reporting Program
Letter from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.