To: Board of Supervisors
From: Agricultural Commissioner
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Agreement No. 21-73-06-0245-RA known as the Humboldt County Financial Plan for the Wildlife Services Program between Humboldt County and United States Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services-Wildlife Services in the Amount of $80,173
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve Agreement No. 21-73-06-0254-RA the Humboldt County Financial Plan with United States Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services-Wildlife Services; and
2. Authorize the Chair to sign three copies each of Financial Plan No. 21-73-06-0254-RA, and return all signed copies to the Agricultural Commissioner’s office for further processing; and
3. Grant a waiver of the Nuclear Free Ordinance.
Recommendation
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
General Fund (1100)
DISCUSSION:
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Services-Wildlife Services (USDA-WS) program provides the assistance of a trained Wildlife Services Specialist to resolve conflicts between humans and wildlife in Humboldt County. The USDA-WS program has operated continuously since 1921 and provides county residents with an integrated wildlife damage management program, including protection from livestock predation losses; property damage; protection of public health through disease monitoring (rabies) of wild animal populations; responding to attacks and potential threats posed by wildlife including protecting passengers and aircraft from collisions with wildlife; and protecting federal and state-listed threatened and endangered species. The contractual agreement between Humboldt County and USDA-WS consists of a cooperative services agreement (CSA) and a financial plan. The CSA which outlines the work, terms and conditions of the program for a period of five years and the financial plan between the county and the USDA-WS which must be approved for the program each year. The current previously approved CSA covers the period from July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2023.
In 2020, Humboldt County’s Wildlife Services (WS) program began operating under an amended CSA. The amendment (Amendment 1 to CSA No. 18-73-06-0245-RA) modified the standard CSA to include increased time (48 hours) and the use of non-lethal mitigation efforts prior to taking a predator in incorporated jurisdictions and populated unincorporated areas of the county. Under the amended CSA, restrictions in these areas include the requirement that cooperators employ non-lethal mitigation efforts recommended by the wildlife service specialist. In addition, other requirements of the amended CSA require the WS program to provide enhanced reporting, does not allow intentional lethal take of beaver, and includes terms to address concerns about threatened and endangered species which occur or are predicted to occur (such as gray wolves and California Condor) in Humboldt County. Amendment 1 to the CSA places no restrictions on the USDA-WS program when responding to any situation where it is determined that a risk to human health and safety involving wildlife exists, or to services provided by the program to commercial agriculture.
A waiver from the provisions of the Nuclear Free Ordinance is requested because the USDA will not modify its cooperative agreements to accommodate local ordinances.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
All personnel, supervision, equipment and supplies necessary to accomplish USDA-WS activities pursuant to the CSA will be provided by the USDA-WS. Humboldt County and USDA-WS share staff salary, benefits, and other expenses to provide the services as specified in the agreement and annual financial plan. The WS program included the county cost share of $80,173, an increase of $5,691 reflecting increased costs for WS specialist labor, vehicles and indirect costs, in the adopted budget for FY 2021-22. Billings in equal amounts of $20,043.25 will be invoiced by the USDA-WS to the Agriculture Commissioner for payment on a quarterly basis. This agreement comes to your Board after the July 1 effective date due to delays in the review and processing of the agreement.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by providing services that promotes a safe, healthy, economically vibrant community.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health inspection Services Wildlife Services (USDA-WS)
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Your Board could choose not to approve the WS Financial Plan although this is not recommended, as this action would likely result in loss of the WS program to Humboldt County.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Three copies each of Financial Agreement No. 21-73-06-0254-RA
2. CSA No. 18-73-06-0245-RA
3. Amendment 1 to CSA No. 18-73-06-0245-RA
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-1
Meeting of: 5/5/20
File No.: 20-520