To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Regional Parks
Staff Name and Phone Number: Elizabeth Tyree, (707) 565-2575
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Fourth and Fifth
Title:
Title
Preston River Access and Wohler Public Access projects Natural Resources Agency River Parkways Grant Application
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a resolution authorizing the Director of Regional Parks to apply for the River Parkways Proposition 68 Specified Grant in the amount of $1,125,000 for Preston River Access and $1,675,000 for Wohler Public Access projects and to execute all documents which may be necessary to carry out and administer the grant. (Fourth District)(Fifth District)
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Executive Summary:
California Natural Resources Agency oversees $2,800,000 River Parkways funding designated for the Russian River through Proposition 68. Regional Parks recommends the funding be split between two project areas - Preston, in northern Sonoma County and the middle reach of the Russian River around Wohler Bridge. Preston River Access would create new public access to the Russian River for $1,125,000. Public access would be improved around Wohler Bridge with potential trail connections from Riverfront Regional Park for $1,675,000. Outdoor education and recreation elements may be added to the Wohler Bridge Fishing Access. Project goals include increasing public access, reducing trespass, and improving safety while protecting water quality and habitat.
Discussion:
Regional Parks is requesting the Board’s support and authority to apply for $2,800,000 from the California Natural Resources Agency’s Proposition 68 River Parkways Grant specified for the Russian River.
With Proposition 68 funding, the California Natural Resources Agency is charged with managing the River Parkways grant program including funding specified for the Russian River. This funding requires public access be provided as part of capital projects.
There are multiple Russian River potential access areas identified to meet the current and growing recreation demand. Several specific sites recommended for further study were identified in the Coastal Conservancy’s Russian River Trespass & Access Management Plan 1996 to provide safe and sanitary access to the river at regular intervals and to minimize trespassing on private property. The Russian River Waterway Trail is identified in the Sonoma County General Plan. Regional Parks and Sonoma Water identified sites where improvements could meet the two-year River Parkways funding cycle. This was followed by touring potential public access capital project sites with Natural Resources Agency staff. Regional Parks proposes two projects that best meet the needs of the community and the Natural Resources Agency’s River Parkways funding requirements.
Preston River Access - $1,125,000
This project will create a new public access to the Russian River between Cloverdale and the Sonoma County/Mendocino County line where heavy unregulated recreational use has resulted in numerous impacts to the environment and community. The project includes constructing a trailhead, parking area, an accessible pathway to beach, permanent pump-out restroom, and garbage and recycle containers. Regional Parks has secured the necessary quitclaim deed to the property previously encumbered by the former state highway 101 right of way, and will be bringing the acquisition to the Board this March. River Parkways funding would be used for planning, design, environmental compliance, permits, and construction. Goals with formalizing this river access and managing this new river access will reduce trespassing, pollution, dumping, and vandalism resulting from unregulated heavy use; and increase safety and accessibility by providing delineated parking while creating a safe well designed trail down to the river.
Wohler Public Access -$1,675,000
This project includes a new multi-use trail, new recreational and educational amenities, and water collection system security enhancements between Riverfront Regional Park, Wohler Bridge Fishing Access, Westside Water Education Center, and the Mirabel Drinking Water Facilities.
This project may add elements to the Wohler Bridge Fishing Access that support site stewardship, such as outdoor classroom, a public restroom, drinking water, watershed focused interpretive features, and picnic and boat launching amenities. This project may improve public access while addressing existing illegal use patterns that have created security issues for Sonoma Water workers and those accessing the site. In addition, the project may provide a caretaker residence, gates, fences, signage and other security features to facilitate the protection of existing infrastructure. Regional Parks will work closely with Sonoma Water to ensure the compatibility of improvements with the site’s constraints and to ensure compliance with a security assessment that is currently being conducted by Sonoma Water. Funding would be used for planning, design, environmental compliance, permits, and construction.
Regional Parks will complete and submit a project information package, including this authorizing resolution, to the Natural Resources Agency. The Natural Resources Agency reviews and, if the proposed project scopes meets the requirements of the bond and the 2004 River Parkways Act, develops a Grant Agreement with Regional Parks. All work related to this funding must be complete by March 31, 2022.
Following construction, ongoing operations and maintenance costs will increase for the new Preston River Access and expanded Wohler Bridge Fishing Access. Operations and maintenance of these new parks and trails will be funded by Parks For All Measure M once constructed.
Prior Board Actions:
June 11, 2019 received the County of Sonoma Capital Project Plan 2019-2024, including subject Preston River Access and Wohler Beach Improvement projects.
Fiscal Summary
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
There is no fiscal impact to this item. If the grant application is approved, this funding and the related expenditures will be included in the FY 2019-2020 budget. Matching funds will be allocated from funds already dedicated to this project.
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None
Attachments:
Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None