To: Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Steve Madrone
Agenda Section: Initiated by Board Member
SUBJECT:
title
Appointment of a County Contact for the California Forest Management Task Force (Supervisor Steve Madrone and Supervisor Mike Wilson)
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Appoint a member of the Board of Supervisors to represent Humboldt County in a local government working group of the California Forest Management Taskforce; and
2. Direct staff to return with a supplemental budget for additional travel dollars for the Board member appointed to the Forest Management Taskforce.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
General Fund
DISCUSSION:
On Jan. 15, 2020, an invitation was sent out to government leaders from Jennifer Montgomery, the Director of the Governor’s Forest Management Task Force (“FMTF”) asking for more active involvement in the efforts of the FMTF (see details in Attachment 1). The FMTF is seeking a greater level of input and involvement from local governments, including counties, to advise and inform the efforts of the FMTF on natural and working landscape management for forest resilience and wildfire prevention. The FMTF is beginning a bi-monthly working group dedicated to local governments which will be held both in Sacramento and potentially throughout California’s rural counties to help foster a more collaborative effort between the state, federal, and local governments. Attachment 1 includes more detail about the requested
According to their website, “California's Forest Management Task Force” was organized to protect the environmental quality, public health, and economic benefits that healthy forests provide to California. The Task Force aims to increase the rate of forest treatments and expand state wood product markets through innovation, assistance, and investment. Advancing forest health project capacity, readiness, and completion statewide aligns with the California Forest Carbon Plan, the goal of which is to establish healthy and resilient forests that can withstand and adapt to wildfire, drought, and a changing climate.
The management goals of the FMTF align well and, if achieved, would support successful implementation of the Humboldt County Community Wildfire Protection Plan. In addition, the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity (“RFFC”) block grant, administered by Humboldt County Public Works, on behalf of the seven county North Coast Resource Partnership (“NCRP”), will interface with the FMTF as priority fuels reduction projects are identified and recommended for funding. It will be important for the Board member appointed to liaison with the local government working group of the FMTF to collaborate with the NCRP and the RFFC project staff to maximize benefits. Supervisors Madrone and Wilson current serve on the NCRP governing body or Policy Review Panel.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
While appointing a Board member to the FMTF has minimal financial impact and cost savings will be achieved with conference calls when possible, the necessary travel to meetings in Sacramento and other counties has not been accounted for in the current year’s travel budgets for Board members. Therefore, it is recommended that staff return with a supplemental budget for travel for the Board member appointed to the FMTF. Travel costs are currently estimated at $5,000.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by creating opportunities for improved safety and health.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Humboldt County Public Works, County Administrative Office
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to take any action in response to this request
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Attachment 1: Letter from Jennifer Montgomery, Director of the Governor’s Forest Management Task Force
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A