Title
Body
MEMORANDUM
TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Scott De Leon, Public Works Director
DATE: October 8, 2019
SUBJECT: Adopt Resolution authorizing Lake County Watershed Protection District to file grant application jointly with Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians of California and the Lake County Resource Conservation District to the CDFW Wetlands Restoration for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Grant Program.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Staff is requesting the Board of Directors of the Lake County Watershed Protection District (District) approve a resolution authorizing the Lake County Watershed Protection District to jointly file a grant application through the CDFW Wetlands Restoration for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Grant Program. This grant would include funding to 1) Complete restoration activities in Tule Lake and Lower Scotts Creek area and 2) develop a Biochar program to reduce the emissions generated from traditional composted green waste, generate local jobs, and improve soil health and conservation through the production and study of biochar as a beneficial soil amendment. This item is not anticipated to be controversial; therefore we are requesting this item be placed on the consent agenda.
The Wetlands Restoration for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program is administered through the California Department of Fish & Wildlife and funds are provided through the California Climate Investments Cap and Trade Dollars at Work program. The District is interested in partnering with the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians and the Lake County Resource Conservation District to apply for funds to support wetland restoration and evaluation of Tule Lake wetland area and to develop a Biochar program based in the Upper Lake area on county-owned property. The biochar program will provide multiple co-benefits such as 1) providing local energy sources from consumption of vegetation harvested from fire fuel mitigation efforts or other green waste, 2) production of a valuable soil amendment that will be evaluated for its nutrient removal properties in Tule Lake wetland, and 3) provide local skilled job opportunities. Staff recommends that the Lake County Board of Supervisors, acting as the Board of Directors of the Watershed Protection District, approve the joint submission to the Wetlands Restoration for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program for the anticipated 3.7 million dollars.
FISCAL IMPACT: _X_ None __Budgeted __Non-Budgeted
Estimated Cost: none
Amount Budgeted: none
Additional Requested: none
Annual Cost (if planned for future years): none
FISCAL IMPACT (Narrative): none
STAFFING IMPACT (if applicable): none
Recommended Action
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt resolution authorizing Lake County Watershed Protection District to file grant application jointly with Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians of California and the Lake County Resource Conservation District to the CDFW Wetlands Restoration for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Grant Program.