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, Grant Funding Made Available by the Wildlife Conservation Board for the Development of a Water Management Plan Regarding Utilization of Humboldt County Contract Water from the Trinity River Division of the Central Valley Project
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Humboldt County Department of Public Works to apply for, and, if awarded, accept, grant funding made available by the Wildlife Conservation Board for the development of a water management plan regarding utilization of Humboldt County Contract Water from the Trinity River Division of the Central Valley Project; and
2. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return a fully executed certified copy of the attached resolution to the Humboldt County Department of Public Works for submission to the Wildlife Conservation Board.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Wildlife Conservation Board
General Fund (1100)
DISCUSSION:
On Apr. 22, 2021, the Wildlife Conservation Board approved a project to develop a water management plan for utilization of Humboldt County’s contract water from the Trinity River Division of the Central Valley Project (Attachment 1). Funding would be provided through the Stream Flow Enhancement Program.
Humboldt County holds a contract executed in 1959 with the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation for annual water releases of not less than fifty thousand (50,000) acre-feet from Trinity Reservoir into the Trinity River. The Trinity River Division of the Central Valley Project diverts nearly half the stored water in Trinity Reservoir to the Sacramento River. In 2014, the Department of Interior Solicitor issued a memo affirming the Bureau of Reclamation’s obligation to fulfill its obligations under this contract. However, additional legal and administrative steps must be completed by the Bureau of Reclamation before contract water is released, and additional technical information is needed to complete these steps. The project will engage stakeholders, perform technical analysis and modeling and develop a water management plan to guide decision-making over a period of twenty-five (25) years. The studies will identify needs and priorities for releasing additional water from Trinity Reservoir into the Trinity River to help restore natural processes and improve fisheries and water quality. In addition, the project will address unresolved questions regarding water rights and regulatory compliance and will define the proposed action for a subsequent phase of environmental review, consultation and regulatory action, as applicable. The project is expected to be completed in 2023.
The Wildlife Conservation Board requires that applicants for grant funding made available through the Stream Flow Enhancement Program adopt a resolution authorizing the execution and delivery of a grant agreement, and any future amendments thereto, along with any and all other documents required or deemed necessary or appropriate to secure and accept such funding and/or complete the proposed project. The standard terms and conditions for grant agreements under the Stream Flow Enhancement Program are provided in Attachment 2. Accordingly, the Humboldt County Department of Public Works recommends that the Board adopt the attached resolution (Attachment 3) which authorizes Public Works Deputy Director, Hank Seemann, or a designee thereof, to apply for, and, if awarded, accept, grant funding made available by the Wildlife Conservation Board.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The Wildlife Conservation Board approved an allocation of Five Hundred Seventy-Four Thousand Nine Hundred Eighty Dollars ($574,980) for the project. A cost-share is not required, and staff time and expenses will be reimbursed. As a result, approval of the attached resolution will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
Following execution of the grant agreement, staff will develop a Request for Qualifications, or Request for Proposals, for professional consulting assistance and bring this document to the Board of Supervisors for approval. At that time, staff will also prepare a supplemental budget request to incorporate this project into the fiscal year 2021-22 Public Works Water Management (1100-251) budget.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by managing resources to ensure sustainability of services and advancing local interests in natural resource discussions.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to approve the attached resolution authorizing the Humboldt County Department of Public Works to apply for, and, if awarded, accept, grant funding made available by the Wildlife Conservation Board for the development of a water management plan regarding utilization of Humboldt County Contract Water from the Trinity River Division of the Central Valley Project. However, this alternative is not recommended as it would limit efforts to make Humboldt County’s water contract operational and cause delays in securing additional water in the Trinity River to improve conditions for fisheries and other beneficial uses.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Project Summary
2. Grant Agreement Standard Terms and Conditions
3. Resolution Authorizing the Humboldt County Department of Public Works to apply for, and Accept, Grant Funding Made Available by the Wildlife Conservation Board for the Development of a Water Management Plan Regarding Utilization of Humboldt County Contract Water from the Trinity River Division of the Central Valley Project
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A