To: Board of Supervisors
From: Planning and Building Department
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Authorization to submit a Coastal Commission Local Coastal Program Grant application
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors adopts the attached resolution that:
1. Directs the County of Humboldt staff to submit a grant application package to the California Coastal Commission to provide financial and planning assistance, under authority of the California Coastal Act, in the amount of $100,000 to pursue a feasibility study for a Humboldt Bay regional sea level rise planning effort; and
2. Authorizes the Director of the Planning and Building Department of the County of Humboldt to execute, in the name of the County of Humboldt, all necessary applications, contracts and agreements and amendments thereto to implement and carry out the grant application package and any project approved through approval of the grant application.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
The salary funding to prepare this report is included in the General Fund contribution to the Long Range Planning unit, 1100-282.
DISCUSSION:
The California Coastal Commission has announced the availability of grant funding to support local governments in planning for strategies to adapt to the impacts of sea level rise. Funding is provided by the California Climate Investments program, a statewide initiative funded by appropriations from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. Applications for this grant funding were due on September 6, 2019, and the Planning Department submitted an application which will be forwarded to the Board as a supplemental item prior to the September 17th meeting. Board authorization to submit the grant application is due by September 20th for the application to be deemed complete by the Coastal Commission. Projects awarded grant funding will need to be completed by March 31, 2022.
If awarded, this would be the fourth LCP grant the County has received. The first was in 2013 and was focused on attaining certification for three areas of deferred certification, and on addressing vacant and underutilized Industrial/Coastal-Dependent (MC) lands in the Humboldt Bay Area Plan (HBAP), resulting in adoption of the Interim Use LCP amendment. In 2014 the County was awarded funding with a focus on updating the HBAP with emphasis on sea level rise, tsunami safety planning, and additional updates to the Industrial/Coastal-Dependent land use mapping and policies. The County was awarded a third LCP grant in 2017 to continue with sea level rise planning efforts, this time focused on communities particularly at risk from sea level rise impacts (King Salmon, Fields Landing, and Fairhaven/Finntown).
This grant application will fund a feasibility study to identify options for implementing a Humboldt Bay regional sea level rise planning effort to facilitate regional coordination and cooperation in developing and implementing sea level rise adaptation policies and strategies. The lands surrounding Humboldt Bay that could be impacted by 1 meter or more of sea level rise include many critical assets located in multiple hydrologic units and in multiple federal, state and local jurisdictions with regulatory authority over either development and/or implementation of sea level rise policies and strategies. A regional sea level rise plan would be the best approach to addressing sea level rise around Humboldt Bay. This feasibility study is the first step toward creating such a plan.
At the August 2019 Coastal Commission meeting in Eureka, the idea of pursuing a Humboldt Bay regional sea level rise planning effort as a pilot project that could be utilized throughout the state was embraced by the Coastal Commission. At the Board of Supervisors meeting on August 27, 2019 the Board appointed an ad hoc committee to help develop a strategy to coordinate the County’s response to sea level rise with other affected agencies and jurisdictions. These funds would move the regional sea level rise planning effort forward.
This report is intended to ensure that your Board understands the proposed use of the grant funds being applied for, and to provide for the following authorizations: 1) authority to submit the proposal, 2) authority to enter in a grant agreement with the California Coastal Commission if the grant is awarded, and 3) designation of the County’s authorized representative. The attached resolution (Attachment 1) provides these authorizations, including designation of the Planning and Building Department Director as the County’s authorized representative for matters pertaining to the grant.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Funding associated with this grant would support consultant work and a portion of Long Range Planning staff time. Costs associated with long range land use planning are typically borne by the General Fund through the Planning and Building Department Long Range Planning Division's budget unit 1100-282 and the General Plan user fees.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by seeking outside funding sources to benefit Humboldt County needs, creating opportunities for improved safety and health, protecting vulnerable populations, and facilitating public/private partnership to solve problems.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Coastal Commission. If awarded, the project will involve a number of agencies including the cities of Eureka and Arcata, the Harbor District and many others potentially impacted by sea level rise.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Your Board could choose to not apply for these funds. This is not recommended as grant funds
available for local coastal planning are highly competitive and there may only be limited
opportunities to resubmit in the future.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 - Resolution authorizing grant submittal and authorizing Planning and Building Director to execute grant related documents.
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: None
Meeting of: None
File No.: None