To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Resolution Authorizing the Humboldt County Department of Public Works to Apply for, Accept and Administer, on behalf of the North Coast Resource Partnership, Proposition 1, Round 2 Integrated Regional Water Management Grant Funding Made Available by the California Department of Water Resources
end
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 apply for, accept and administer, on behalf of the North Coast Resource Partnership, Proposition 1, Round 2 Integrated Regional Water Management Grant funding made available by the California Department of Water Resources; and
2. Direct the Clerk of the Board to provide a 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.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Grant Funds authorized by the Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 (Proposition 1).
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 approximately $100 million in highly competitive funding to the north coast region, with over $37 million supporting planning and implementation projects within Humboldt County. The Leadership Council, the governing body for the NCRP, is comprised of representatives from each of the seven NCRP counties and Tribal areas and acts as the North Coast Regional Water Management Group. In 2005, the NCRP Policy Review Panel designated the County of Humboldt as the Regional Contract Administrator for the NCRP.
On Nov. 4, 2014, California voters approved Proposition 1, which authorized the appropriation of $510 million in Integrated Regional Water Management Grant funds that were allocated to 12 hydrologic region-based funding areas. The North Coast Funding Area was allocated a total of $26.5 million of the Proposition 1 appropriation, and $21.2 million of such funding may be used to support implementation projects. 60% or $12,720,000 of these grant funds have already been secured under Prop 1 Round 1 of the program; currently supporting 20 projects throughout the north coast, seven of which are located in Humboldt County. The balance of the North Coast Funding Area implementation funding allocation is now available to support Proposition 1, Round 2 projects.
In May 2022, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) released a proposal solicitation package for Proposition 1, Round 2 Integrated Regional Water Management Grant funding. Applications for such funding are due Feb. 1, 2023. The NCRP is preparing an application package with 13 proposed projects for a total grant amount of $8.48 million which includes a 6% share to the County of Humboldt for grant administration. Projects were selected through an open and competitive solicitation process. The recommended suite of projects includes projects in Humboldt County sponsored by the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District, the Orick Community Services District, the McKinleyville Community Services District, and the Blue Lake Rancheria. In order for the County of Humboldt to apply for, accept and administer Proposition 1, Round 2 Integrated Regional Water Management Grant funding, on behalf of the NCRP, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors must adopt the attached resolution.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Once Proposition 1, Round 2 Integrated Regional Water Management Grant funding has been awarded by DWR, and formally accepted by the County of Humboldt, a supplemental budget request will be processed in the amount of $8.48 million; over $500,000 of which will be allocated to the Natural Resources Planning budget unit 1720-289 to support the grant administration and cover associated expenses over the multi-year term of the master grant agreement. The General Fund Contribution approved by the Board 1720-289 will be used to cover limited expenses that cannot be reimbursed from the grant.
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:
The Department of Water Resources and the North Coast Resource Partnership.
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 if awarded, accept and administer funding from the Proposition 1, Round 2 Integrated Regional Water Management Grant on behalf of the North Coast Resource Partnership. However, this alternative is not recommended since not adopting the resolution would prevent the County of Humboldt from applying for and receiving this funding.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Authorizing the Humboldt County Department of Public Works to Apply For, Accept and Administer, on Behalf of the North Coast Resource Partnership, Proposition 1, Round 2 Integrated Regional Water Management Grant Funding Made Available by the California Department of Water Resources.
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: 8/27/2019
File No.: 19-1205