To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Permit Sonoma
Staff Name and Phone Number: Oriana Hart, 565-6186
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): First and Second
Title:
Title
Sonoma Ecology Center Contract - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) San Francisco Water Quality Improvement Grant Fund
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Authorize the Director of Permit Sonoma to execute a contract with the Sonoma Ecology Center (SEC) to provide grant funded environmental services for compliance with the Federal and State ordered storm water regulatory permit requirements, flood capacity, including in-stream restoration project in Sonoma Creek, Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) monitoring plan for the Petaluma River and restoration project for a not-to-exceed amount of $792,089 for the period November 1, 2020 through October 1, 2024. (First and Second Districts)
B) Adopt a resolution adjusting the Sonoma County Permit Sonoma Fiscal Year 2020-21 Budget by $198,022.
(First and Second Districts) (4/5th Vote Required)
end
Executive Summary:
On October 13, 2020, the Board authorized the Director of Permit Sonoma to accept and administer grant funds from the EPA San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund. This grant for $1,055,323 will fund contracted services with Sonoma Ecology Center to address Federal and State ordered storm water regulatory permit compliance over a four-year period as well as develop restoration and flood capacity projects, and develop a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) monitoring plan for the Petaluma River. Efforts are required for watersheds that drain to the San Francisco Bay include assessments, monitoring and testing water for sediment and pathogens. The EPA Grant funding is supported by a 50% match which is met through routine maintenance of roads and culverts to remove sediment as well as storm water and erosion control work conducted throughout the County.
Discussion:
As the main non-regulatory water quality entity in the watershed, for more than 27 years SEC has collaborated for improved ecological health in Sonoma Valley and beyond. Permit Sonoma has been working successfully with SEC for the past four years on the Clean Stream of Southern Sonoma County (C3SC) Grant Project funded through the same EPA grant fund. The success of the C3SC grant led to the EPA decision to fund continuation of this work. Permit Sonoma, as Grant Administrator, has contracted with SEC for assistance with the required tasks.
The grant application to the EPA included a sub-award to SEC which is being executed in this contract. The EPA defines this contract as a sub-award per 2CFR 200.331 and as such excludes it from federal procurement requirements. SEC is considered a sub-recipient pursuant to 2 CFR 200.330(a) and thus must comply with all of the federal grant terms. SEC has agreed with those terms. The SEC executed copy of the contract is on file with the Clerk of the Board.
SEC shall submit to Permit Sonoma detailed invoices for services on a quarterly basis. Permit Sonoma shall provide this information to the EPA as a request for reimbursement from the available grant funds.
Permit Sonoma will administer the grant and water quality improvement work on behalf of the project partners, Sonoma County Transportation and Public Works, Sonoma County Regional Parks, and in partnerships with the Sonoma Ecology Center. SEC will work with Permit Sonoma to: 1) survey and prioritize sediment yielding culverts in need of repair in the Petaluma Watershed; 2) develop the TMDL required pathogen monitoring plan for the Petaluma River and conduct associated monitoring activity; 3) provide environmental training for staff and the community to conduct wetland assessments; and 4) create an in-stream restoration project in Sonoma Creek to increase flood capacity.
Prior Board Actions:
10/13/2020: The Board authorized acceptance of a $1,055,323 grant from the EPA San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund and delegated its administration to the Permit Sonoma Director.
07/21/2015: The Board authorized a contract with Sonoma Ecology Center for $759,448 as part of the sub-award from the 2015 EPA San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund Award titled “Clean Streams Southern Sonoma County” Project.
04/07/2015: The Board authorized acceptance of a $991,119 grant from the same EPA San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund and delegated its administration to the Permit Sonoma Director.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 20-21 Adopted |
FY21-22 Projected |
FY 22-23 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
|
|
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
$198,022 |
$198,022 |
$198,022 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$198,022 |
$198,022 |
$198,022 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
$198,022 |
$198,022 |
$198,022 |
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$198,022 |
$198,022 |
$198,022 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
This one-time grant will assist Permit Sonoma in covering costs associated with developing and conducting monitoring for the newly adopted Petaluma River TMDL and the 303d sediment listing in Petaluma. Funds will also cover our continued monitoring costs around the Sonoma Creek TMDL and contract costs associated with the Federal and State Ordered Storm Water regulatory permit, as well as TMDL requirements to develop a pathogen-monitoring plan for the Petaluma River over the period of four years. The funds received will be included in FY 2020-21 and subsequent budgets.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
n/a
Attachments:
Attachment 1: Resolution
Attachment 2: EPA 2020 Award Letter
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
SEC Contract