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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09011998 - C50 QCounty Contra TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS {,�(etaFROM: WATER COMMITTEE Supervisor Joe Canclamilla,Chair Supervisor Gayle Bo Uilkema DATE: September 1, 1998 SUBJECT: REPORT FROM WATER COMMITTEE ON INCLUSION OF HAMILTON AIRFIELD WETLAND RESTORATION AND HARBOR MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND/MARITIME INFRASTRUCTURE BAND PROJECTS IN THE 1998 WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT RDA SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S) &BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS 1. AUTHORIZE CHAIR to sign letters to the Congressional Legislative Delegation and to the appropriate Committee Chair, supporting Inclusion of and funding For the Hamilton Airfield Wetlands Restoration Project in the 1998 Water Resources Development Act(WRDA). 2. AUTHORIZE CHAIR to sign letter's to the Congressional Legislative Delegation and to the appropriate Committee Chair, supporting inclusion of and funding for analysis of fiscal alternatives for recapitalization of Harbor Maintenance Trust funds to allow for inclusion of smaller Port project improvements particularly where federal funding isnot available (WRDA). IMP There is no fiscal impact to the County . BACKGRQWNL1 Federal civil works projects are authorized by Congressional legislative action, through enactment of a Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), every two years. A 1998 WRDA is currently undergoing review. The County has provided Input to this process in the past, helping to accomplish federal cost sharing For dredged material disposal on upland sites as part of the 1996 WRDA. The County has no new projects requiring WRDA authorization or support at this time. However, there are two projects considered For inclusion in WRDA 1998 the Board may wish to support, and from which the County could potentially derive benefit; the Hamilton Airfield Wetlands Restoration Project, and the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Recapitalization Study/Califomia MaritimeInfrastructure Bank. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR .moi RECOMMENDATIM OF 9C3AR0 COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER ��t� ''�!' r?d'.1:-'.^;f r �,d'✓ �'..-�' i`d � ,4,'��ai;,+'w^ J� .,l' � ..�'�..d` �;�`_'�'.. y2-;''-vG",.,.,.•-- sIGNATURE S : SP,.EtVlSR JOE CANCIAMILLA SUP swim" ISOR GAYL. . U L.KEMA ACTION OF BOARDS ONAPPROVED AS RECOMMENDED ttE VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE NANIMOUS (ABSENT�} AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES:NOES: AND ENTERED ON TIME MINUTES OF THE ABSENT: ABSTAIN: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. �> :ontact: Roberta Goulart(925-838-1226) ATTESTEQ' :c: Community Development Department (CDD) PHIL BATCHE OR, CLERK OF County Administrator's Office THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR B y , - .� ' .�.,_. .. DEPUTY �uutfh�rttitttxn.t�a HAMILTON AIRFIELD September 1, 9998 Page 2 The Hamilton Army Airfield Wetland Restoration Project proposes to convert presently diked lands into wetlands at the recently-closed Hamilton Air Force Base airfield and surrounding area, located in Marin County. This site was within the historic tidal zone of the Bay, prior to levee construction. The 940-acre restoration will include a mix of upland transitional, tidal and seasonal wetland areas. The project will utilize up to 10 million cubic yards of dredged material from various projects, potentially including Baldwin Ship Channel and Southampton Channel dredged sediments. This project is managed by the Coastal Conservancy and BCDC, in coordination with the City of Novato. The estimated cost for this project is anticipated to be in the range of 30 to 41 million dollars. Multiple agency implementation of the Long-term Management Strategy (LTMS) for dredging is forthcoming, and will, over time, require increasing amounts of sediment disposal in upland environments, rather than the present emphasis on in-bay and ocean disposal. This creates a critical need for available sites to enable continued channel deepening and maintenance. For several years, the California Marine Navigation Conference(CMANC) and the Association of Port Authorities have been attempting to create a Maritime Infrastructure Bank, to work with the already established California Maritime Infrastructure Authority, to aid medium and small ports and harbors with low interest loans in those circumstances where federal funds are not available. Unsuccessful attempts have been made in the past to obtain significant seed money for this purpose, although some funds are in place and a few small loans have been granted. At this time, the proposal for inclusion into WRDA consists of a study, to be conducted as part of the Harbor Trust Fund recapitalization. The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund is a per-vessel tax that larger Ports and Harbors pay for channel maintenance activities. Little or no funds have been used from this fund and significant monies have accrued. The infrastructure bank language in WRDA simply requires the recapitalization study to consider funding mechanisms to accommodate small and medium ports and harbor infrastructure improvement (there is some political resistance to inclusion of funding requests at this time). The Infrastructure Bank is an attempt by the Ports and Harbors to institute an alternative funding mechanism to deal with infrastructure improvement in the absence of federal funding for this purpose. The bank could conceivably be used by the County: a possible scenario would include loans for site acquisition and development of an upland disposal site. ......... ....... _ _ ....................... ......................................_ _ ...... ....._ __............. f L 33 '98 05:28PM BCDC 415 557 3767 P.1/7 M, -, Y . Y >C D C r'astgt•t~aX Note7671 i StevenGoldbeck °J"°pr' � ; Coos Program Manog ph°nor q Fax t Oro!{� TO: .Roberta Goulart Y. CC. 1 ixabt SUBJECT. Hamilton WRUA Authorization _ 7123/98 fi.. Thanks in advance for all your efforts on behalf of the Hamilton Wetlands Restoration Project. few totes on where we are in the legislative scene. We are in the Senate markup As a one:line contingent authorization with a $30M authorization. The house has not marked up yet. Our proposed authorization has gone up from $3415 to $41M, � based on the draft Carps cost estimates for their Hamilton Wetlands project feasibil ty'study. This cost includes both site preparation and the increment of cost to bring dredged material on the site. We *would like a straight authorization but so far the Senate will only give a contingent authorization based on a Chief's report by the end of this year. Although we can live with a contingent authorization there are several points you should know! • A December 31, 1998 contingent authorization is very tight and a March 1999 contingent authorization would be infinitely preferable. +►' Corps involvement in monitoring and maintenance of the site-as was included for the Sonoma Bayla.nds project-is an important component to ensure the succus of the project. ('the present Corps cost estimate includes this cost.) + It is important for Congress to recognize (1) the need for coordinating the cleanup of the site by the Army by 2,000 and based on the restoration project design, and (2) the role of Hamilton in LTMS implementation by use of Corps and 'Other projects dredging material. Providing the State with the value of the lands provided. It is true that the site will be transferred to the state at no cost, but the site was originally transferred to the federal government at no cost. y JUL 23 '98 85:29PM BCDC 415 557 3757 P.2/7 -e2 2 I recognize that some of these things may be able to be accomplished through report language rather than through the authorization. t r i i i i I 1 i I I i i i i I i i i „: AL 23 '98 05:29PM Bene 415 557 3767 P,3/7 k' '9 B C D C E Memorandum Steuen Goldbeck Coastal Program Manager l t ! TO: Roberta Goulart UBJECT. 91v9s Kamilton WRDA draft 6115/98 Please contact me with any questions (phone 41.5337.8786, fax 415.557.8767, email "stevegObcdc.ca.gov"). i i i Wording for WRDA Wetland Restoration Project at Hamilton Army Airfield (a) in General.—The Secretary is authorized to develop and carry out in accordance with this section a 940-acre wetland restoration project at the closed Hamilton Army ,Airfield and adjoining areas in Marin County, California. The project shall utilize dredged'material suitable for unconfined aquatic disposal for the purposes of facilitatingbase closure, flood control, water quality improvement, and to provide 'habitat forv►Yaterfaw1, fish, and ether wetlands dependent species of plants and ani S. (b) Additional. Project Purposes—In addition tothe purposes described in ! subsection (a), the purposes of the project under this section are to provide i endangered species habitat, expand the feeding and nesting areas for waterfo'w'l along the Pacific flyway, restore historic tidal and non-tidal wetlands to San Francisco Bay, and help implement the San Francisco Estuary Project Comprehensive Conservation and Management Flan and the Long Term Management Strategy for Dredging in San Francisco Bay. (c) Restoration Project—The Secretary is directed to initiate and complete preconstxuction engineering and design and subsequent construction, site monitoring, and, as needed, post-project remediation, for a project using dredged material suitable for aquatic disposal, to restore tidal and nazi-tidal wetlands and g� JUL 24 '98 02:42PM BCBC 415 557 3767 P.2/3 2 A related habitat to the runway and adjacent portions of the Hamilton Army Airfield. The project site should include the 7GO acre runway and the adjacent Antenna field owned by the State of California. Suitable dredged material from San Francisco Bay dredging projects will be used., as needed,to construct the project. (d) I TMS implementation. Dredged material from maintenance or deepening of federal navigation channels in San Francisco Bay may be used, as needed, in constructionof the Hamilton wetlands to implement the federal-state Long Term Management Strategy (LTMS) for dredging in San Francisco Bay. (e)Coordination With Site Cleanup--The Secretary of the Army will coordinate remediation and closure of the site under the Base Realignment and Closure Act to ; ensure that the site is cleaned to the level thatwill allow implementation of the Wetlands restoration project and that any issues associated with base closure, such as impacts'to surrounding properties, are resolved by January 1, 2000. ' (f} Non Federal Participation.—Any work undertaken pursuant to this title shall � be initiated only after non-Federal interests have entered into a cooperative agreement according to the provisions of section. Costs expended by the State of Califozxiia for project planning and the value of lands provided. shall be credited towards the non-federal cost share of construction of the civil works project to complete the wetlands restoration. The non-Federal interests shall agree to provide 5 percent of the cost associated with the project, including provision of lands, easements and rights-of-way, and necessary relocations. (g)la Ing.--. (A) TIarO Phase. Preconstruction planning and design specified in subsection (c) �sll b+a completed within 8 months of the enactment of this Act. (B) Second Phase. Construction of the an-site improvements reqtsired as part of , the project shall be completed within 24 months of the enactment of this Act, I (C) Third Phase. Dredging, transport and placement of dredged material shall be started as soon as work in subparagraph (B) is completed and dredged material is available. ! (D) Fourth Phase, The final phase of the project shall include restoration of tidal action and monitoring of project success and function and remediation if necessary. (h) Reports To Congress. Not latex than one year after enactment'of this Act, a report shall be submitted to Congress regarding the status of the project'and AUL3 '98 05'31F'M BCLC 415 557 3757 P.5i7l;�r-C further needed actions to complete the project in a timely manner. Further such reports will be submitted yearly to Congress until restoration of the site is complete. (i} Authorization of Appropriations are authorised to be appropriated $41.,000,000 for fiscal years starting after September 30th 1998 to carry out this sectioan. Such sums shall remain available until expended. I I r I x I i __ i 1 i i I I i i I i i 1 i 08/15/1995 23:52 714962821010 A,.3A4JPDMADGMAKN PACE 81 1 w -� Date: July 30, 1998 From: Larry Mallon,Esq. (714)968-0064 Fax 968.2347 email To; Rob Alexander(Sen.Boxer),Mark Davis(Rap. Frank Riggs),Jerry Pope(CMMANC), Del Smith„John O'Donnell FINANCING OF tNFrftASTRUCTM NEEDS OF SMALL ANIS MLDrIJ'M PORTS AND RECAPITALIZATION OF HARBOR ri+MAINMANCE TRUST FUNIS Section 445 of the Water Resources Development Ant of 1996(110 Stat.3747)is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new subsection. "(d)(1)HARBOR MAtN'l"k'NANCE TRUST FUND RECAPITALIZATION STUN'-The'Secretary shall conduct a'study and analysis of fiscal''alternatives fbr r+ecapitaladon of the Harbor Maintenance TmstFund,established under Section 1401 of the Water Resources Development Act 1986(26 U.S.C.4431 et se q.1<and>the potential impact ofvarious sherrmtives upon financing of fixture construction.operations and>nWittenance ofprojeds in small and medium ports, including those not currently contributing to the trust fund. (2)MECHANISMS TO BE STUDIED-Mechanisms to be studied under this section include the potential for cooperative use:of State revolving funds comprised of State and Federal motorboat fuel tax receipts collected under Section 4041 and 4081 of Title 26,United States Code and not otherwise transferred to the Beat Saftty Account under Section 9503 of Title 26,United States Cotte,in combination with various alternative commercial fees that may be collected for purposes of recapitalization of the trust fund. In conducting the study, the Secretary shall survey and cooperate with State; port authorities administering Stater revolving funds, State maritime infrastructure banks, . and joint pourers authorities, the recreational boating public, shippers, and commercial maritime interests in those States. (3)REPORT--Nat later than mine months after date of enactment of this Act,the Secretary shall transmit to the Committers can Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Ways and Means in the House of Representatives,and to the Committee on Environment and Public Works and the Committers on Finance in the Senate,the results of the study and any related legislative recommendations for consideration by the Congress. (4)AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS-For purposes of conducting this study and related surveys, the Secretary is authorized to expend such sums as are necessary from the Operations and Maintenance General Account of the Civil Works Budget of the United States Army. Phil � Board o u rviWrs Contra CW*04 Me , County Administration Suiing (costa �� W �''"��u ;sfai W&1900ao 651651pine Street,Room 106 County t ��� Martinez,California "653-1293 &a ftipers,fit DW& Dorm rimer,3rd D*W Mo*pelluMwr,4M Dktttict Jew crr�iarniui stM 1Nit<O September 15, 1998 The Honorable John H.Chafec Chair,Senate Environment&Public Warks Committee SD-410 Washington,D.C. 20515 Dear Senator Chafee: 4n September 1, 1998,the Centra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted to support inclusion of two items,the Hamilton Airfield Wetlands Restoration Project Authorization,and the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Recapitalization Study(including smaller port funding considerations),into the 1998 Water Resources Development Act(WRDA). The importance of the Hamilton Airfield Wetlands Restoration Project is twofold. First,this project creates an important opportunity to restore critical habitat in San Francisco Bay,as well as providing much-needed upland dredge disposal opportunities. The regulatory environment in the San Francisco Bay area is becoming increasingly constrained relative to in-bay and ocean disposal environments. Where upland disposal does provide for beneficial reuse of these materials,one must endure a convoluted and time consuming regulatory process which can be prohibitively expensive(at least tripled costs in recent cases). A long-term Management Strategy for dredged material disposal has recently been drafted and will be entering an implementation phase,requiring increased upland disposal activities,in turn increasing the need for upland disposal sites. Use of dredged materials for a project which recreates important wetlands habitat is indeed a win-win situation. The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Recapitalization Study(HMTF)is a first step in addressing an unmet need;the inclusion of financing opportunities for maritime infrastructure,particularly;for small craft harbors and medium-sized ports. We feel it is important for the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund to include creative financing mechanisms and follow-up funding for ports and harbors,as part if its restructuring. California has established the California Maritime Infrastructure Authority and Bank,to provide low interest loans to smaller Ports and Harbors which generate economic benefit,but which lack other funding opportunities. Some loans have been provided,but additional seed monies are critical to the Bank's success. An option which may be recommended could involve use of a very small portion(one cent)of the motorboat fuel tax generated by recreational boaters to provide a matching fund source. We are hopeful the HMTF Study recommendations can provide the necessary tools and funding for necessary maritimeinfrastructure improvement. The Honorable Jahn H. Chafee -2- September 15, 1998 Thank you for your consideration of these important WRDA components. If you have questions,please contact Roberta+Goulart of our staff,at(925)335-1226. Sincerely, � 4 Jinn Rogers Chair cc: The Honorable Max Baucus The Honorable Barbara Boxer The Board of Supervisors Contra �'y,',^�O{OW t1O�,d Count r ISiJr*nl#'1aflon SuIlding and Costa 651 Pine Stmt,Room 106 y} ' ' Marfinez,California 94&53-1293 County ft*IN.Uffhow,2nd 17isttict rJoreu Gt�rpK»arc!Ubtwlct " . f aft p�M►nt»Nrr,+1�Uiircict �`� ` JGr���,8th Utlt+rrict �,`• _ "� � x September 15, 1998 The Honorable Sherwood L.Boehlert Chair,Water Resources&Environment Subcommittee R.HOB B-376 Washington,D.C. 20510 Dear Congressman Boehlert: On September 1, 1998,the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted to support inclusion of two items,the Hamilton Airfield Wetlands Restoration Project Authorization,and the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Recapitalization Study(including smaller port funding considerations),into the 1998 Water Resources Development Act(WRDA). The importance of the Hamilton Airfield Wetlands Restoration Project is twofold. First,this project creates an important opportunity to restore critical habitat in San Francisco Bay,as well as providing much-needed upland dredge disposal opportunities. The regulatory environment in the San Francisco Bay area is becoming increasingly constrained relative to in-bay and ocean disposal environments. Where upland disposal does provide for beneficial reuse of these materials,one must endure a convoluted and time consuming regulatory process which can be prohibitively expensive(at least tripled costs in recent cases). A long-term Management Strategy for dredged material disposal has recently been drafted i and will be entering an implementation phase,requiring increased upland disposal activities,in turn increasing the need for upland disposal sites. Use of dredged materials for a project which recreates important wetlands habitat is indeed a win-win situation. The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Recapitalization Study(HMTF)is a fust step in addressing an unmet need;the inclusion of financing opportunities for maritime infrastructure,particularly for small craft harbors and medium-sized ports. We feel it is important for the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund to include creative financing mechanisms and follow-up funding for ports and harbors,as part if its restru tunng. California has established the California Maritime Infrastructure Authority and Bank,to provide low interest loans to smaller Ports and Harbors which generate economic benefit,but which lack other funding opportunities. Some loans have been provided,but additional seed monies are critical to the Bank's success. An option which may be recommended could involve use of a very small portion(one cent)of the motorboat fuel tax generated by recreational boaters to provide a matching fund source. We are hopeful the HMTI+Study recommendations can provide the necessary tools and funding for necessary maritime infrastructure improvement. _....... l The Honorable Sherwood L.Boehlert -2- September 15, 1998 Thank you for your consideration of these important WRDA components. If you have questions,please contact Roberta Goulart of our staff,at(925)335-1226. Sincerely, in Rogers Chair cc: The Honorable Robert A.Borski f � The Beard of Supervisors Contra �«a VW County Admiiftration Binding Costa rte' ' W 651 Pine Street,Room 106 tato) s-taro Martinez,Caii(omia 94553-1293 County Jim ROVO.,tad Omid l�iyay�M� S.tNNa�rn�j+n�,2/nd DWOV t � e Gwbw. UNR DOSWAnbr,44hVial Ril f ;.• Jt*Gmwirm us,5tts Owbid i�a;,, - .•fir September 15, 1998 The Honorable Bud Schuster Chair,House Transportation&,Infrastructure Committee RHOB 2165 Washington,D.C.24510 Dear Congressman Schuster. On September 1, 1998,the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted to support inclusion of two items,the Hamilton Airfield Wetlands Restoration Project Authorization,and the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Recapitalization Study(including smaller port funding considerations),into the 1998 Water Resources Development Act(WRDA). The importance of the Hamilton Airfield Wetlands Restoration Project is twofold. First,this project creates an important opportunity to restore critical habitat in San Francisco Bay,as well as providing much-needed upland dredge disposal opportunities. The regulatory environment in the San Francisco Bay area is becoming increasingly constrained relative to in-bay and ocean disposal environments. Where upland disposal does provide for beneficial reuse of these materials,one must endure a convoluted and time consuming regulatory process which can be prohibitively expensive(at least tripled costs lin recent cases). A long-term Management Strategy for dredged material disposal has recently been drafted and will be entering an implementation phase,requiring increased upland disposal activities,in turn increasing the need for upland disposal sites. Use of dredged materials for a project which recreates important wetlands habitat is indeed a win-vein situation. The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Recapitalization Study(HMTF)is a first step in addressing an unmet need;the inclusion of financing opponw ities for maritime infrastructure,particularly for small craft harbors and medium-sized:ports. We feel it is important for the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund to include creative financing mechanisms and follow-up funding for ports and harbors,as part if its restructuring. California has established the California Maritime Infrastructure Authority and Bank,to provide low interest loans to smaller Ports and Harbors which generate economic benefit,but which lack other funding opportunities. Some loans have been provided,but additional seed monies are critical to the Bank's success. An option which may be recommended could involve use of a very small portion(one cent)of the motorboat fuel tax generated by recreational boaters to provide a matching fund source. We are hopeful the HMTF Study recommendations can provide the necessary tools and funding for necessary maritime infrastructure improvement. r` f The Honorable Bud Schuster -2- September 15, 1998 Thank you for your consideration of these important WRDA components. If you have questions,please contact Roberta Goulart of our staff,at(925)335-1226. Sincerely, J' Rogers Chair cc: The Honorable James L. ©berstar The Honorable Juanita Millinder-McDonald The Honorable Jerry Lewis The Honorable Jay Kim The Honorable Steve Horn The Honorable Lucille Roybal-Allard The Honorable Frank Riggs The Board of Supervisors ontra �«f wo Coin,A&nWstmtion SuNngC� tet �> W pine Street,%om 106 County '`� {sio�a ti9oo Martinez,CaMmia W53.1293 V o u n ty Jim PAM",Iat Owuuict Oanrw GwiiAf,3rd O"Id VaSsukAer,41n September 15, 1998 The Honorable Ellen Tauscher LHOB 1440 Washington,D.C.24510 Bear Congresswoman Tauscher. On September 1, 1998,the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted to support'inclusion of two items,the Hamilton Airfield Wetlands Restoration Project Authorization,and the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Recapitalization Study(including smaller port funding considerations),into the 1998 Water Resources Development Act(WRDA). The importance of the Hamilton Airfield Wetlands Restoration Project is twofold. First,this project creates an important opportunity to restore critical habitat in San Francisco Bay,as well as providing much-needed upland dredge disposal opportunities. The regulatory environment in the San Francisco Bay area is becoming increasingly constrained relative to in-bay and ocean disposal environments. Where upland disposal does provide for beneficial reuse of these materials,one must endure a convoluted and time consuming regulatory process which can be prohibitively expensive(at least tripled costs in recent cases). A long-term Management Strategy for dredged material disposal has recently been dratted and will be entering an implementation phase,requiring increased upland disposal activities,in turn increasing the need for upland disposal sites. Use of dredged materials for a project which recreates important wetlands habitat is indeed a win-win situation. The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Recapitalization Study(HMTF)is a first step in addressing an unmet need;the inclusion of financing opportunities for maritime infrastructure,particularly for small craft harbors and medium-sized ports. We feel it is important for the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund to include creative financing mechanisms and follow-up funding for ports and harbors,as part if its restructuring. California has established the California Maritime Infrastructure Authority and Bank,to provide low interest loans to smaller Ports and Harbors which generate economic benefit,but which lack other funding opportunities. Some loans have been provided,but additional seed monies are critical to the Bank's success. An option which may be recommended could involve use of a very small portion(one cent)of the motorboat fuel tax generated by recreational boaters to provide a matching fund source. We are hopeful the HMTF Study recommendations can provide the necessary tools and funding for necessary maritime infrastructure improvement. _. The Honorable Ellen Tauscher -2- September 15, 1998 Thank you for your consideration of these important WRDA components. If you have questions,please contact Roberta Coulart of our staff,at(925)335-1226. Sincerely, Jim Rogers Chair _ _. _ The Board of Supervisors ContraMI CW*dftft" Ow Ct wnf Ai minuefttlon Wici>f �W 351 Fine Stet,Boom i06 Costa } Martinez,Cafifom{a 945&3.1M County Jim fie"%,I at i3"Id fir Q.u ,iW Dvid DtMU tirrrlf+rr.ani Digi O i !fretDOO&MNW.4thDi W oftid September 15, 1998 The Honorable George Miller RHOB 2205 Washington,D.C. 20510 Dear Congressman Miller: On September 1, 1998,the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted to support inclusion of two items,the Hamilton Airfield Wetlands Restoration Project Authorization,and the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Recapitalization Study(including smaller port funding considerations),into the 1998 Water Resources Development Act(WRDA). The importance of the Hamilton Airfield Wetlands Restoration Project is twofold. First,this project creates an important opportunity to restore critical habitat in San Francisco Bay,as well as providing much-needed upland dredge disposal opportunities. The regulatory environment in the San Francisco Bay area is becoming increasingly constrained relative to in-bay and ocean disposal environments. Where upland disposal does provide for beneficial reuse of these materials,one must endure a convoluted and time consuming regulatory process which can be prohibitively expensive(at least tripled costs in recent cases). A longterm Management Strategy for dredged material disposal has recently been drafted and will be entering an implementation phase,requiring increased upland disposal activities,in turn increasing the need for upland disposal sites. Use of dredged materials for a project which recreates important wetlands habitat is indeed a win-win situation. The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Recapitalization Study(HMTF)is a first step in addressing an unmet need,the inclusion of financing opportunities for maritime infrastructure,particularly for small craft harbors and medium-sized ports. We feel it is important for the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund to include creative financing mechanisms and follow-up funding for ports and harbors,as part if its restructuring. California has established the California Maritime Infrastructure Authority and Bank,to provide low interest loans to smaller Ports and Harbors which generate economic benefit,but which lack other funding opportunities. Some loans have been provided,but additional seed monies are critical to the Bank's success. An option which may be recommended could involve use of a very small portion(one cent)of the motorboat fuel tax generated by recreational boaters to provide a matching fund source. We are hopeful the HMTF Study recommendations can provide the necessary tools and funding for necessary maritime infrastructure improvement. The Honorable George Miller -2- September 15, 1998 Thank you for your consideration of these important WRDA components. If you have questions,please contact Roberta Goulart of our staff,at(925)335-1226. Sincerely, Jim Rogers Chair Contra TO: BOARD OFSUPERVISORS Costa QCounty FROM: WATER COMMITTEE Supervisor Jae Canclamilla, Chair Supervisor Gayle B. Uilkema MATE: September 1, 1998 SUBJECT: REPORT FROM WATER COMMITTEE ON INCLUSION OF HAMILTON AIRFIELD WETLAND RESTORATION AND HARBOR MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND/MARITIME INFRASTRUCTURE BANK PROJECTS IN THE 1998 WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT WRDA SPECIFIC REQUEST($)OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION 1. AUTHORIZE CHAIR to sign letters to the Congressional Legislative Delegation and to the appropriate Committee Chair, supporting inclusion of and funding for the Hamilton Airfield Wetlands Restoration Project in the 1998 Water Resources Development Act(WROA).' 2. AUTHORIZE CHAIR to sign letters to the Congressional Legislative Delegation and to the appropriate Committee Chair, supporting Inclusion of and funding for analysis of fiscal alternatives for recapitalization of Harbor Maintenance Trust funds to allow for inclusion of smaller Port project improvements particularly where federal funding is not available (WRDA). FISCALIMPACT (1PACT There is no fiscal impact to the County . 5A.KGR,0UNd Federal civil works projects are authorized by Congressional legislative action, through enactment of a Water Resources Development Act (WROA), every two years. A 1998 WRDA is currently undergoing review. The County has provided Input to this process in the past, helping to accomplish federal east sharing for dredged material disposal on upland sites as part of the 1996 WRDA. The County has no new projects requiring WRDA authorization or support at this time. However, there are two projects considered for Inclusion in WRDA 1998 the Board may wish to support, and from which the County could potentially derive benefit, the Hamilton Airfield Wetlands Restoration Project, and the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Recapitalization Study/Callfomia Maritime Infrastructure Bank. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: / YES SIGNATURE RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE($): SUPERVISOR JOE CANCIAMILL.A SUPERVISOR GAYLE B. UIL.KEMA ACTION CP BOARD ON APPROM AS RECOMMENDED -OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE . UNANIMOUS (ABSENT l AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES:. _- -- _ NOES AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE ABSENT: ABSTAIN: _ BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE }SATE SHOWN. Contact: Roberta Goulart(928-335-1226) ATTESTED cc: Community Development Department (CDD) PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF County Administrator's Office THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY , DEPUTY lxgoutihamiftonbbo