To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Regional Parks
Staff Name and Phone Number: Minona Heaviland, 707-565-2041
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): First, Fourth, and Fifth
Title:
Title
CAL FIRE Grant for Hazardous Fuels Reduction in Sonoma County Regional Parks at Mark West Creek and Monte Rio Redwoods.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Adopt a resolution authorizing the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors to accept grant awards from the State Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention (CAL FIRE) in the amount of $250,000 for vegetation management planning and purchase of equipment to reduce wildfire hazards and authorizing the Director of Regional Parks to execute all documents necessary to carry out and administer the agreement.
B) Adopt a resolution authorizing budgetary adjustments to the Fiscal Year 2023/24 adopted budget to increase appropriations and expenditures in the amount of $200,000 in support of the work of the grant with the balance of the grant to be budgeted in Fiscal Year 2024/25. (4/5th Vote)
(4/5th Vote Required) (First, Fourth and Fifth Districts)
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Executive Summary:
The State Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention (CAL FIRE) has designated grant funds be used to carry out Hazardous Fuels Reduction Planning in two of Sonoma County Regional Parks, Mark West Creek and Monte Rio Redwoods, and for the purchase of mobile fuels reduction equipment, in the amount of $250,000.
Discussion:
Regional Parks recently acquired two new properties both of which have significant fire history. Mark West Creek Regional Park and Open Space Preserve (1st and 4th Districts) is a 1,192-acre preserve acquired in eastern Sonoma County which was impacted by the 2017 Tubbs fire. Monte Rio Redwoods (5th District) is a 515-acre preserve in western Sonoma County transferred to Regional Parks in 2020 which has been the site of repeated, small-scale, unnamed fires. Recognizing the need for fuels reduction planning at both park properties, CAL FIRE awarded a grant of $250,000 to support planning for hazardous fuels reduction and equipment purchase for future implementation at both properties. CAL FIRE will support planning for hazardous fuels reduction, and purchase of equipment to support Regional Parks staff in implementing vegetation management and fuels reduction around strategic locations on Regional Parks properties.
In partnership with the Sonoma Valley Wildlands Collaborative, Regional Parks has successfully implemented similar work funded via grant applications to CAL FIRE. This grant award is made solely and directly to Regional Parks. The scope of work is supported by partners including local fire agencies but is outside of the geography of the Sonoma Valley Wildlands Collaborative.
Upon Board approval, Regional Parks staff will begin procuring services required to complete the work, consistent with state law and local procedures along with purchasing equipment for fuels reduction.
The proposed planning work is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines at California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Sections 15262, which exempts feasibility and planning studies for possible future actions from the requirement to prepare an Environmental Impact Report or negative declaration, and 15306, which exempts from CEQA basic data collection, research, and resource evaluation activities that will not disturb environmental resources. The proposed work consists of (1) planning activities, feasibility research and analysis, and the development of recommendations for potential future action and (2) the purchase of equipment that will be used in the implementation of vegetation management. CEQA will be addressed through project specific analyses and not the purchase of equipment. Through acceptance of the grant and development of the plan the County is not committing to any course of action, and in particular, the County is not committed to approving or funding any subsequent vegetation management activities.
Regional Parks owns and operates park lands throughout Sonoma County and conducts ongoing vegetation management as well as episodic or one-time vegetation treatments as needed at all park properties. This grant award focuses on planning activities in parks within Supervisorial Districts 1, 4, and 5; however similar activities will occur throughout Sonoma County and the Regional Park system.
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 3: Leverage grant funding to support sustainable vegetation management program.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
August 20, 2019 - The Board of Supervisors approved a sub-award agreement between Sonoma Land Trust (SLT), Regional Parks, and the Ag + Open Space District to accept CAL FIRE grant funds for fuel reduction and planning in Sonoma Valley.
February 28, 2023 - The Board of Supervisors approved a sub-award agreement between SLT and Regional Parks to accept CAL FIRE grant funds for hazardous fuels reduction planning at Hood Mountain Regional Park.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 23-24 Adopted |
FY24-25 Projected |
FY 25-26 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
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$50,000 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
$200,000 |
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Total Expenditures |
$200,000 |
$50,000 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
$200,000 |
$50,000 |
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Fees/Other |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$200,000 |
$50,000 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
This item will increase revenue and expenditure appropriations in the FY 2023-24 Budget by $200,000 for activities related to this grant. The balance of grant funds will be budgeted in FY 2024-25.
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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):
None
Attachments:
Resolution
Budget Resolution
Award Letter
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None