To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Request for Proposals Regarding Professional Forest Management and Technical Support Services for the McKay Community Forest Project
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Department of Public Works - Environmental Services Division to issue, the attached request for proposals regarding professional forest management and technical support services for the McKay Community Forest Project; and
2. Direct the Department of Public Works - Environmental Services Division to return to the Board with a professional services agreement regarding the provision of professional forest management and technical support services for the McKay Community Forest Project once the review, evaluation, selection, contract negotiation and approval processes set forth in the attached request for proposals have been completed.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
McKay Community Forest (1710)
DISCUSSION:
In Aug. 2014, the County of Humboldt acquired one thousand (1,000) acres of forestland located southeast of Eureka with state and federal funds as Phase I of the McKay Community Forest Project. A proposed Phase II acquisition of approximately one hundred ninety-seven (197) acres contiguous to the south end of the Phase I property is expected to close escrow in June 2020. The McKay Community Forest was established for multiple purposes, including, without limitation, public access and recreation, timber harvest and watershed and resource conservation. In Jan. 2019, the Humboldt County Department of Public Works - Environmental Services Division (“Public Works”) released for public review, a draft Trail Plan which provides a blueprint for the development of trails, access points and amenities to support recreational and educational activities within the McKay Community Forest. Public Works will bring the final Trail Plan and associated environmental study to the Board for adoption at a future meeting.
To address the purposes of timber harvest and watershed and resource conservation, Public Works proposes to develop a Forest Stewardship Plan and a Non-industrial Timber Management Plan. The Forest Stewardship Plan will be an easily accessible, understandable and revisable document describing the county’s long-term goals and objectives. The Forest Stewardship Plan will address how silviculture, fire risk reduction, wildlife habitat restoration, carbon sequestration, monitoring and adaptive management will be implemented over the term of the plan. The Forest Stewardship Plan will also address how forest management goals and objectives will be integrated with other management goals and how the County of Humboldt intends to strive for compatibility with the neighborhoods bordering the McKay Community Forest. The Non-industrial Timber Management Plan will be a technical document demonstrating how the County of Humboldt intends to comply with the California Forest Practice Rules and associated laws and regulations.
The McKay Community Forest was established based on the premise that the project would be economically self-sustaining over the long-term without reliance on the Humboldt County General Fund. Continuation of a working forest is essential to financial viability, with revenue generated through timber harvest used to offset the costs of management and maintenance and to invest in the development of trails and access points. The McKay Community Forest is expected to be managed primarily with thinning and selection harvest methods to create multi-aged stands.
Professional forest management and technical support services are needed to assist with technical studies, public outreach, plan development and other technical tasks. Public Works has prepared the attached request for proposals in accordance with the Humboldt County Purchasing Policy. Public Works will bring a proposed professional services agreement with the selected firm to the Board for review and approval once the review, evaluation, selection, contract negotiation and approval processes set forth in the attached request for proposals have been completed.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The estimated cost for the professional forest management and technical support services described in the attached request for proposals is One Hundred Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($115,000). Expenditure appropriations related to the professional forest management and technical support services for the McKay Community Forest Project have been incorporated into the proposed fiscal year 2020-21 budget for McKay Community Forest budget unit 1710-716.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by managing community resources to ensure sustainability of services and creating opportunities for improved safety and health.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Board discretion.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Request for Proposals No. 2020-716001-A Regarding Professional Forest Management and Technical Support Services for the McKay Community Forest Project
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A