To: Board of Directors of Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District
Staff Name and Phone Number: Misti Arias 707-565-7360, Julie Mefferd 707-565-7360
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Climate Resiliency Funding Agreements for Carbon Sequestration Project
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize the Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District General Manager to execute agreements to disburse approved Climate Resiliency Funds for the Carbon Sequestration Project with the Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority ($20,000), Zero Waste Sonoma ($3,000), Carbon Cycle Institute ($10,000), Sonoma Resource Conservation District ($311,750), Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District ($81,750), and Daily Acts ($61,500), for an overall total amount of $488,000 and end term December 31, 2023, with any needed minor changes as approved by County Counsel.
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Executive Summary:
On May 11, 2021, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors established a $10 million Climate Resiliency Fund from the PG&E wildfire settlement to use toward short-term projects that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase carbon sequestration, and otherwise help the County and the community mitigate and adapt to climate change and its effects. On February 1, 2022, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approved a first round of Climate Resiliency Funding recommendations, including for the Carbon Sequestration Project (Project), which were subsequently appropriated March 15, 2022, by a consolidated budget adjustment. These actions appropriated $500,000 to the Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (Ag + Open Space) and its project partners to conduct carbon sequestration through the application of compost on multiple properties in both agricultural and community settings throughout the county. This item seeks Board authority for the Ag + Open Space General Manager to execute funding agreements with project partners to implement the Project, as described in the project proposal approved for funding by the Board of Supervisors on February 1, 2022.
Discussion:
Through the Project, the Regional Climate Protection Authority (RCPA) in coordination with Ag + Open Space, Zero Waste Sonoma, Sonoma Resource Conservation District, Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District, Carbon Cycle Institute, and Daily Acts will identify properties with an existing carbon farm plan or a natural habitat management plan, along with the ability to incorporate community engagement or public participation as part of the project. Potential co-benefits of this project include soil water retention, erosion control, an increase in soil organic matter, and the ability for the County or other local jurisdictions to meet SB 1383 requirements for the purchase and use of the recovered organic waste projects. Success will be measured by acres of land treated, tons of compost applied, and number of local residents engaged through project implementation and/or community education.
Partner Entities and Roles
Regional Climate Protection Authority - Project Coordination & Reporting [$20,000]
Sonoma Resource Conservation District - Project Implementation - 4 agricultural sites [$311,750]
Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District - Project Implementation - 1 agricultural site [$81,750]
Daily Acts - Project Implementation and Volunteer Support - 5 community sites [$61,500]
Zero Waste Sonoma - SB1383 Coordination and Tracking [$3,000]
Carbon Cycle Institute - Technical Analysis and Consultation [$10,000]
Ag + Open Space will act as fiscal sponsor, enter into funding agreements with the partners, and liaison with RCPA and the County’s Climate Action and Resiliency Division staff, as needed. Approximately $12,000 of the allocated $500,000 will be used to cover Ag + Open Space staff time.
Staff request that the Board authorize the Ag + Open Space General Manager to execute the attached funding agreements with the project partners, with any minor changes needed as approved by County Counsel.
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: Maximize opportunities for mitigation of climate change and adaptation through land conservation work and land use policies
Objective: Objective 2: Develop policies to maximize carbon sequestration and minimize loss of natural carbon sinks including old growth forests, the Laguna de Santa Rosa, and rangelands. Encourage agricultural and open space land management to maximize sequestration
Prior Board Actions:
February 1, 2022: Summary #1 - Approved Climate Resiliency Funding Recommendations
March 15, 2022: Resolution 22-0075 Adopted Second Quarter Consolidated Budget Appropriations
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 21-22 Adopted |
FY22-23 Projected |
FY 23-24 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
$500,000 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$500,000 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
$500,000 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$500,000 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Ag + Open Space will receive $500,000 from the Climate Resiliency Fund and award $488,000 to external partners to implement the Project. $12,000 of the allocated $500,000 will be used to cover Ag + Open Space staff time. This $500,000 in appropriations is already included in the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 adopted budget.
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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:
1. Project Proposal Approved by Board February 1, 2022
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
1. Agreement with RCPA
2. Agreement with Zero Waste Sonoma
3. Agreement with Sonoma Resource Conservation District
4. Agreement with Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District
5. Agreement with Carbon Cycle Institute
6. Agreement with Daily Acts