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, if Awarded, Funding Made Available through the California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Humboldt County Department of Public Works Director to apply for, and accept, if awarded, funding made available through the California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program in order to fund implementation of the Humboldt Community Wildfire Protection Plan; and
2. Direct the Clerk of the Board to provide a fully executed original copy of the attached resolution to the Humboldt County Department of Public Works for submission to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Northcoast Resource Partnership (1720)
General Fund (1100)
California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program
DISCUSSION:
The California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program provides funding for local projects and activities that address the risk of wildfire and reduce wildfire potential to forested and forest adjacent communities. Funded activities include, without limitation, hazardous fuel reduction, fire planning and fire prevention education with an emphasis on improving public health and safety while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Activities funded under this program are consistent with those recommended in the Humboldt County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (“CWPP”). The recommended actions will allow the Humboldt County Department of Public Works to prepare and submit a grant application to support CWPP implementation.
The County of Humboldt has a track record of successfully securing grant funds, both state and federal, to support wildfire preparedness projects that are consistent with the goals and objectives of the CWPP. The proposed CWPP implementation project will help the County of Humboldt continue to play a role in working towards achieving the Wildfire Preparedness Goal of the CWPP Countywide Action Plan to increase community resilience and adaptation to wildfire. If selected for funding, the proposed project will represent phase four (4) of a multi-phase approach to CWPP implementation and will complement, and build upon, past CWPP implementation projects.
The proposed project incorporates lessons learned from past projects and is designed to support CWPP implementation partners to work with County of Humboldt staff and local community members to address wildfire preparedness. County of Humboldt staff will administer the grant and manage the project. Implementation partners will take the lead, with support and oversight from County of Humboldt staff, on completing wildfire preparedness activities, including, without limitation: roadside vegetation management to maintain evacuation corridors and reduce the risk of wildfire ignitions; defensible space assistance; wildfire preparedness education and outreach; and future project planning. The grant application for funding, made available through the California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program, is due on May 19, 2021. If the proposed CWPP implementation project is selected, a grant agreement will be executed, and work will begin in late 2021.
Accordingly, staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached resolution which authorizes the Humboldt County Department of Public Works Director, or a designee thereof, to apply for, and accept, if awarded, funding made available through the California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
If awarded, the funding made available through the California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program will provide much-needed revenue to supplement the funds that the county is already investing in community wildfire preparedness and roadside vegetation maintenance. Matching funds will be committed to the proposed CWPP implementation project, based on the existing annual activities conducted by Department of Public Works staff. In addition, significant grant match, both cash match and in-kind participation, will be provided by partners, including, without limitation, the University of California Cooperative Extension, Six Rivers National Forest, local Fire Safe Councils, the Shelter Cover Resort Improvement District and likely more by the time the full application is submitted.
The expense of preparing the application for funding made available through the California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program will be covered by a fiscal year 2021-2022 General Fund allocation provided by the Board of Supervisors to the Department of Public Works Natural Resources Planning budget unit 1720-289. One of the intended uses of this allocation was to research funding sources and write grant proposals to support actions recommended in the Humboldt County CWPP.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations, creating opportunities for improved safety and health, and providing community-appropriate levels of services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection; Humboldt County Fire Safe Council
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Humboldt County Department of Public Works Director, or a designee thereof, to apply for, and accept, if awarded, funding made available through the California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program. However, this alternative is not recommended because of the community fire safety benefits that could be gained through the proposed CWPP implementation project.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Authorizing the Humboldt County Department of Public Works to Apply For, and Accept, if Awarded, Funding Made Available through the California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A