To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Resolution Authorizing the Humboldt County Department of Public Works to Apply for, and Accept, Funding Made Available through the California Department of Water Resources’ Urban and Multibenefit Drought Relief Grant Program on Behalf of the North Coast Resource Partnership
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Humboldt County Department of Public Works Director, or a designee thereof, to prepare apply for, and accept, if awarded, funding made available through the California Department of Water Resources’ Urban and Multibenefit Drought Relief Grant Program on behalf of the North Coast Resource Partnership; and
2. Direct the Clerk of the Board to provide one (1) fully executed certified copy of the attached resolution to the Humboldt County Department of Public Works for submission to the California Department of Water Resources.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Grant funding provided through the California Department of Water Resources’ Urban and Multibenefit Drought Relief Grant Program
DISCUSSION:
The North Coast Resource Partnership (“NCRP”) was initiated in 2004 as a water management collaborative between the counties of Humboldt, Sonoma, Modoc, Mendocino, Trinity, Del Norte and Siskiyou. The NCRP is now a successful coalition of north coast counties and tribes that has brought over $100,000,000 in highly competitive funding to the north coast region, with over $37,000,000 supporting planning and implementation projects within Humboldt County. The Leadership Council, the governing body of the NCRP, is comprised of representatives from each of the seven (7) NCRP counties and tribal areas, and acts as the North Coast Regional Water Management Group. In 2005, the NCRP Leadership Council designated the County of Humboldt as the Regional Contract Administrator for the NCRP.
On July 12, 2021, California Governor, Gavin Newsom approved the Budget Act of 2021, which authorized the appropriation of $190,000,000 to the Urban and Multibenefit Drought Relief Grant Program. These funds were allocated to the Department of Water Resources to deliver grants for interim and immediate drought relief to urban communities and for multibenefit projects. A set-aside of at least $50,000,000 was made to support Underrepresented Communities and Tribes included in the Proposition 1 Integrated Regional Water Management (“IRWM”) Disadvantaged Community Involvement Program (“DACI”) for drought relief projects. The remaining $140,000,000 is available to all eligible applicants, including, without limitation Underrepresented Communities and Tribes.
As the County of Humboldt is an existing IRWM-DACI grantee, on behalf of the NCRP, an application targeting the Underrepresented Communities and Tribes set-aside can be submitted; up to the maximum of $5,000,000 set per IRWM Funding Area. If funding is awarded, the existing grant agreement will be amended to accommodate the new scope and increased budget. Additional applications may also be submitted to the general Urban and Multibenefit Drought Relief Grant Program, and if selected for funding new grant agreements will need to be executed.
Accordingly, the Humboldt County Department of Public Works recommends that the Board adopt the attached resolution which authorizes the Public Works Director, or a designee thereof, to apply for, and accept, if awarded, funding made available through the California Department of Water Resources’ Urban and Multibenefit Drought Relief Grant Program on behalf of the North Coast Resource Partnership. Adoption of the attached resolution will allow for the submission of multiple applications to fund eligible drought relief projects intended to provide water to communities throughout the region that face the loss or contamination of their water supplies, to address immediate impacts on human health and safety, and to protect fish and wildlife resources.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
If awarded, the funding made available through the California Department of Water Resources’ Urban and Multibenefit Drought Relief Grant Program will be added through a supplemental budget request to Natural Resources Planning budget unit 1720-289. As a result, adoption of the attached resolution will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by providing for and maintaining infrastructure, creating opportunities for improved safety and health and protecting vulnerable populations.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Department of Water Resources; North Coast Resource Partnership
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Board discretion.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Authorizing the Humboldt County Department of Public Works Director, or a designee thereof, to prepare apply for, and accept, if awarded, funding made available through the California Department of Water Resources’ Urban and Multibenefit Drought Relief Grant Program on behalf of the North Coast Resource Partnership
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A