Title
Proposed McKay Tract Community Forest
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors receive the staff report and comments from the public; approve the attached resolution approving the award of funds from the California Natural Resources Agency, State Coastal Conservancy, and California Wildlife Conservation Board for the acquisition of real property owned by Green Diamond Resource Company within the McKay Tract for the establishment of a community forest; appoint the Public Works Director, or his designee, to negotiate and execute documents reasonably necessary to complete the property acquisition, as specified in the attached resolution; approve division of the six affected assessor parcels zoned Timberland Production Zone for which a Joint Timber Management Plan and Guide (JTMP) and Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions have been prepared pursuant to Section 51119.5 of the California Government Code (Note: A 4/5 vote is required); direct the Clerk of the Board to give notice of the Board's decision regarding the JTMP to Green Diamond Resource Company, the County Assessor's Office, and any other interested party. Direct staff to convey the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions associated with the JTMP to Fidelity National Title Company of California for recording during the closing process (following disbursement of acquisition funding); approve the concept of a loan to provide financing for expenditures during the start-up period of the community forest based on future re-payment through timber harvest revenues, and direct Public Works to work with the County Administrative Office and County Treasurer to evaluate loan options and return to the Board for selection of a preferred option; direct Public Works staff to prepare and file a Notice of Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) with the County Clerk based on Section 15325 (Transfers of Ownership of Interest in Land to Preserve Existing Natural Conditions) of the CEQA Guidelines; and direct Public Works to develop a supplemental budget adjustment for the property transaction.