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' Contra
Costa
TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - a
FROM: TRANSPORTATION, WATER & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE County
Ir
Supervisor Donna Gerber, Chair
Supervisor John Gioia, Member
DATE: September 11, 2001
SUBJECT: Coastal Impact Assistance Program Spending Plan
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE spending plan for revenues to be allocated to the County from the federal Coastal
Impact Assistance Program, as recommended by the Transportation, Water, and Infrastructure
Committee.
FISCAL IMPACT
The spending plan is a proposal to the California Resources Agency and ultimately to the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for spending $253,256 allocated to the
County from the Coastal Impact Assistance Program, a federal program which returns
revenues from off-shore oil leases to specific states and coastal counties for coastal
conservation, restoration, and access/education.
BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
On April 3, 2001,the Board of Supervisors authorized the Community Development Director to
submit a draft spending plan for revenues to be allocated to the County from the Coastal
Impact Assistance Program("CIAP"). The Board also referred the matter to the Transportation,
Water, and Infrastructure Committee("TWIC"). The TWIC received reports from staff on April 9
on May 14 on the draft spending plan and efforts by staff and Congressman Miller to increase
the County's CIAP allocation (please see attached staff reports). On August 6, 2001 the TWIC
voted to recommend that the Board approve the attached CIAP spending plan. The spending
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: x YES SIGNATURE
_ RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD
COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S): Supervisor Don Gerber Chair Sy rvisor John Gioia
ACTION OF BOARD ON September 11, 2001 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED _ OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
x UNANIMOUS (ABSENT None ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE
SHOWN.
Contact: John Kopchik (925) 335-1227 ATTESTED September 11 2001
cc: Community Development Department (CDD) JOHN SWEETEN, CLERK OF
County Administrator THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Public Works Department SAND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
BY
WAPersonal\John maKdapbospendingplan.doc DEPUTY
Report On Coastal Impact Assistance Program Spending Plan
September 11, 2001
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plan recommended by the TWIC is identical to the draft plan submitted to the Resources
Agency by staff, except that the title for the first component, the "Land Acquisition,
Enhancement, and Stewardship Plan for the Contra Costa County Shoreline" was revised to
make clear that segment of shoreline to be addressed in the plan was the segment from Point
Isabel to the Delta, as described in the explanatory text below the title.
Attachments::
• Recommended CIAP Spending Plan, "California Resources Agency Coastal Impact
Assistance Program Project Proposal Form"
• August 6, 2001 report to the TWIC
• April 9, 2001 report to the TWIC
WAPersonalWohn maiMciapbospendingplan.doc
CALIFORNIA RESOURCES AGENCY
COASTAL IMPACT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
PROJECT PROPOSAL FORM
County: Contra Costa County
Department:_Community Development Department
Prepared by:—John Kopchik
Phone number: 925-335-1227
Address: 651 Pine Street. North Wing, 4`h Floor
Martinez, CA 94553
E-mail: ikoI)c@cd.co.contra-costa.ca.us
Title of proposed project: Carquinez Strait Heritage Corridor Land Acquisition. Enhancement.
and Stewardship Project
Project location:_shoreline of Contra Costa County, from Point Isabel at the Alameda County
line to Big Break near Oakley
Total cost: $253,256
Each proposal must include a summary of the project and a description of the project's
consistency with the mission and one or more of the goals listed below.
MISSION
To ensure comprehensive and coordinated management, conservation and enhancement of
California's ocean and coastal resources for their intrinsic value and for the benefit of current
and future generations.
GOALS: Four goals have been established by the State of California to achieve this mission.
Goal 1: Stewardship. To assess, conserve, and manage California's ocean and coastal
resources and the ecosystem that supports those resources.
Goal 2: Economic Sustainability. To encourage environmentally sound, sustainable, and
economically beneficial ocean and coastal resource development activities.
Goal 3: Research, Education and Technology. To advance research, educational programs,
and technology developments to meet future needs and uses of coastal and ocean resources.
Goal 4: Jurisdiction and Ownership. To maximize California's interests in coastal
watersheds, State Tidelands, the Territorial Sea, and the Exclusive Economic Zone.
Page 1 of 5
Overview: Funds received by Contra Costa County from the Coastal Impact Assistance Program
will be used to fund the Carquinez Strait Heritage Corridor Land Acquisition, Enhancement, and
Stewardship Project. This Project includes several components, including a study of land
acquisition, enhancement, and stewardship needs in the area, strategic seed money for three
important acquisition and restoration projects, support for the exploratory effort to form a
Carquinez Strait National Heritage Area, and a reserve implementation fund to address or begin
to address the most pressing recommendations of the acquisition/enhancement/stewardship plan.
Contra Costa County would partner with the Muir Heritage Land Trust and the East Bay
Regional Park]District to perform this project.
Project Components:
1) Land Acquisition. Enhancement, and Stewardship Plan for the Contra Costa County
Shoreline, Point Isabel to the Delta ($30K) This Plan would identify opportunities for
protecting and enhancing natural resources along the coast and coastal watersheds of
Contra Costa County, from the Point Isabel area in the west to the Sacramento-San
Joaquin Delta in the east. It would also provide the baseline information necessary to
define and prioritize specific implementation projects, be they land or habitat acquisition,
habitat restoration, or long-term stewardship. By providing an overview of acquisition,
enhancement, and restoration needs and opportunities, the Plan would provide a critical
foundation for future fund-raising.
Tasks to be performed in generating the Plan may include the following:
• Inventory of existing protected lands in the area, including stewardship operation
and funding sources, and proposed restoration projects.
• Analysis of acquisition needs and opportunities. This analysis would consider
trail connection needs and other public access needs as well as natural resource
protection needs. The analysis would also consider costs and could include
appraisals.
• .Analysis of, and recommendations on, specific habitat restoration projects.
• .Analysis of stewardship needs and constraints. Recommendations on improving
stewardship oversight and funding.
• Documentation of results and recommendations in a concise planning docurnent.
Areas or conceptual projects which may be considered and synthesized the in Plan
include the following:
• Point San Pablo acquisitions, Bay Trail development, and restoration.
• Rodeo marina rehabilitation and/or restoration.
• Conversion/restoration of the Point Ozol military facilities to a public park and
Bay Trail alignment.
• :Protection of scenery, biotic resources, and watershed functions in the Briones
:Hills Agricultural Preservation Area on the south side of the Carquinez Straits.
• Praxis property acquisition at the mouth of the Walnut Creek Channel.
• :Lower Walnut Creek Channel restoration project and Iron Horse Trail extension
to the Bay Trail.
• .Point Edith clean-up, signage, and public access.
• Concord Naval Weapons Station wetlands restoration.
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• PG&E wetlands in the Bay Point area.
• Creation of the Delta Science Center at Big Break.
Some of these areas are proposed for separate funding in the additional Project
components below. We propose including such areas in the Plan in a limited manner to
assure completeness and coordination of effort.
2) Point San Pablo Peninsula acquisition, Bay Trail, and restoration/clean-up ($30K). The
Point San Pablo Peninsula,just north of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, presents a very
promising opportunity for future park development. With 5 miles of shoreline, scenic
ridgelines, beautiful views of the Bay, and a rich human history evidenced in the
structures of the Point Molate Naval Fuel Depot (which is in the process of closing), the
Point San Pablo Peninsula could be a major park attraction very near a highly populated
and, in places, economically disadvantaged area. Feasibility work is needed to determine
land acquisition opportunities, to design Bay Trail construction, and to determine what
clean-up and restoration work will be necessary. CIAP funds would be used as seed
money for this effort, either for the feasibility study phase or for the implementation
phase.
3) Point Ozol base conversion/Bay Trail segment ($30K). The former Point Ozol military
installation lies in the heart of the scenic southern shore of the Carquinez Straits. The
East Bay Regional Park District and the military have discussed for many years the
possibility of converting the facility into a park. A key step toward achieving this
outcome is the clean-up of the various remnants of the former military facility. Funding
from the CIAP would be used toward clean-up and development of a Bay Trail segment
through the property.
4) Lower Walnut Creek Channel Restoration Project and Iron Horse Trail Extension
($30K), The lower Walnut Creek Channel is an engineered, earthen trapezoidal channel
constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and operated by the Contra Costa
County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. It drains to Suisun Bay just east
of the Benicia Bridge. Significant silt deposition has reduced the capacity of the channel
to well below design specifications. Traditionally, the Flood Control District would have
dredged the channel to restore capacity. Such dredging would have destroyed aquatic
habitat and harmed water quality. As an alternative, the Flood Control District has
proposed setting back the earthen levees where possible north of Highway 242, recreating
a flood plain and a meandering low flow channel, restoring native riparian vegetation,
and providing for fish passage around the lowest drop structure near Highway 242. The
East Bay Regional Park District plans to extend the Iron Horse Trail (which currently
runs from the San Ramon area all the way to Concord) north along the edge of the
Walnut Creek channel to the Bay and a connection with the Bay Trail. CIAP funds
would be used for planning and feasibility work necessary to implement these creek and
trail improvements.
5) Planning and public outreach work for the exploratory effort to form the Carquinez Strait
National Historic Area ($30K). Following the successful completion of the Carquinez
Strait Resource Plan, an exploratory effort was launched to consider the benefits and
feasibility of designating the larger Carquinez Strait region as a National Heritage Area.
Such designation signifies federal recognition of the scenic resources of the area and the
key role the Straits have played in the political, economic, and social history of our state
and nation. The practical impact of receiving the National Heritage Area designation is
Page 3 of 5
to coordinate interpretive efforts on human and natural history to tell a unified story and
to attract future funds to a variety of land acquisition and restoration projects. CIAP
funds would be used to perform the planning and public outreach work required to
continue exploration of this concept.
6) Implementation of key recommendations of Acquisition/Restoration/Stewardship Plan
described in item 1) above ($80K). CIAP funds dedicated to this purpose would be used
to fund specific land acquisition, restoration, and stewardship actions within the
Carquinez Strait Heritage Corridor. Funds may be used for direct costs of
implementation, such as actual land costs and the costs associated with the performance
of restoration work, as well as specific preparatory work, including appraisals and design
work.
Project Oversight and Management: The Carquinez Strait Heritage Corridor Land
Acquisition. Enhancement, and Stewardship Project would be jointly managed by the Muir
Heritage Land Trust (MHLT), the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) and the Contra
Costa County Community Development Department (CDD). Each organization would delegate
one or more staff persons to serve on a Steering Committee to guide implementation of the
Project. Staff from these agencies would also manage any consultant contracts, oversee the
expenditure of funds, and perform other work. We anticipate that the MHLT would act as the
fiscal agent of the County in distributing CIAP funds. Such an arrangement would likely be
formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding.
Administrative costs: Costs incurred by MHLT, EBRPD, and CDD to implement the Project
will be covered with funds from the CLAP. MHLT. EBRPD, and CDD will maintain an
accounting of their administrative costs and be reimbursed accordingly. Administrative costs
reimbursed with CIAP funds shall not exceed $23,256(roughly 10% of the overall project cost)
Goals:with Mission and
This proposal is consistent with the Mission and Goals of the CIAP for the following reasons:
• The Mission statement calls for the "...comprehensive and coordinated management,
conservation and enhancement of California's ocean and coastal resources... " Our
Project includes a comprehensive plan tom address land acquisition, stewardship, and
effliancement along our northern shoreline to do just that. Likewise, each of the other- 5
components of our Project directly contribute to the conservation and enhancement of
coastal resources.
• Our project is consistent with each of the four CIAP goals.
o Stewardship—Our plan component specifically addresses the need for coastal
stewardship. Likewise, the three acquisition/restoration components of our
proposal relate to improving resource values in neglected areas of our coast.
o Economic.sustainability—The Carquinez Straits Heritage Area component would
seek recognition of the long-standing role our coastline and the ship channel
through the Carquinez Strait has played in the development of Contra Costa
County and the state. Such recognition and the work required to receive it would
help to promote continued sustainable economic use of our coast.
Page 4 of 5
o Research, education, and technology—The Carquinez Heritage Area component
would focus and coordinate interpretive efforts on our shoreline. Each of the
acquisition/restoration components would include an interpretive component.
o Jurisdiction and ovvnership—Three of our Project components facilitate future
acquisitions of coastal lands and wetlands for conservation purposes. While the
acquisition agents have yet to be identified for these, the EBRPD or some other
agency created by the State to acquire and protect land would likely be involved.
Page 5of5
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CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
' COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
651 Pine Street, N. Wing - 4th Floor
Martinez, CA 94553
Telephone: 335-1290 Fax: 335-1299
TO: Board of Supervisors Transportation, Water, and Infrastructure Committee
Supervisor Donna Gerber, Chair
Supervisor John Gioia
FROM: John Kopchik, Conservation Programs
DATE: August 6, 2001
SUBJECT: ]Finalization of Coastal Impact Assistance Program Expenditure Plan
On April 3, 2001, the Board of Supervisors referred to the Transportation, Water, and Infrastructure
Committee the matter of finalizing an expenditure proposal for new revenues that will be allocated to the
County from the federal Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CLAP). On April 9, the TWI Committee
received a report from staff and Tina Batt of the Muir Heritage Land Trust on the proposed content of the
draft expenditure proposal. On May 14, the Committee received a report on the complete expenditure
proposal which had been submitted to the California Resources Agency on April 30. The TWI Committee
also requested a copy of statutory language for the CIAP (attached).
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ("NOAA") initially allocated$202,497 of CIAP
funds to the County based on a formula that considered three factors: distance to nearest off-shore oil lease
site, population, and length of shoreline. The April 30 submittal was based on that allocation.
However,the CIAP legislation contains specific provisions for allocations to California counties. In these
provisions,counties that were relatively far away(200 miles or more)from active oil leases but had one or
more oil refineries within their borders were to be allocated funds as if they were only 50 miles away from
an active oil lease. NOAA's initial allocation for Contra Costa County did not incorporate the oil refinery
provision. NOAA claimed the County was only 197 miles away from the nearest oil lease and therefore
too close to be considered for the oil refinery provision. NOAA calculated the 197 mile distance by
measuring from the oil lease to the nearest portion of the County's border (the southeast corner of the
County)rather than to the County's shoreline.
Congressman Miller and Congressional staff pursued the matter with NOAA on the County's behalf,and
succeeded in convincing NOAA that the allocation for Contra Costa County should be increased to reflect
the oil refinery provision. As a consequence, on July 17, 2001 NOAA announced new allocations,
including$253,256 for Contra Costa County. This adjustment could have lasting significance if Congress
authorizes the CIAP in future years.
In response to the new allocations, the Resources Agency requested revised expenditure proposals by
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August 1. County staff worked with Tina Batt to revise and submit the attached expenditure proposal by
the requested deadline. Our cover letter to the Resources Agency alerts them that our revised plan was
submitted provisionally until the Board of Supervisors has an opportunity to consider it on August 14.
Staff request that the TWI Committee review the revised expenditure proposal and provide a
recommendation to the Board on approving a final document.
Attachments:
• August 1 revised CIAP expenditure proposal
• Statutory language for the CIAP
WAPersonallohn maiMciaptwireportmayOLdoc
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CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
651 Pine Street, N. Wing 4th Floor
Martinez, CA 94553
Telephone: 335-1290 Fax: 335-1299
TO: Board of Supervisors Transportation, Water, and Infrastructure Committee .
Supervisor Donna Gerber, Chair
Supervisor John Gioia
FROM: John Kopchik, Conservation Programs--�—
DATE: April 4, 2001
SUBJECT: Coastal Impact Assistance Program
On April 3, 2001, the Board of Supervisors referred to the Transportation, Water, and Infrastructure
Committee the matter of finalizing an expenditure plan for new revenues that will be allocated to the
County from the federal Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CLAP). A copy of the Board Order is
attached which provides background on the CIAP and the funding process.
Schedule update: We learned yesterday that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAH)
will not release estimates of County funding allocations until April 16. As a consequence the deadline for
submitting draft expenditure plans/proposals to the California Resources Agency (who will compile a
statewide report for submission to NOAH)was extended to April 30. Given that we now have more time,
we suggest that the TWI Committee provide its input at the Draft Plan phase and report to the Board on a
Draft Plan on April 24. No further review would be necessary to finalize the Draft Plan unless the
California Resources Agency requested revision.
Expenditure Requirements: Counties must spend CIAP funds on projects that are consistent with the
mission of the CIAP and at least one of the four program goals. The CIAP mission and goals are described
in full in an attachment. To briefly surnmarize, the CIAP mission is:
To ensure comprehensive and coordinated znanagennent, conservationn and enhancenzent of California's
ocean and coastal resources for their intrinsic value and for the benefit of current and,fixture
generations.
The four general program goals are: 1)Stewardship,2)Economic Sustainability, 3)Research,Education,
and Technology, and 4)Jurisdiction and Ownership.
Management of CIAP Funds: Presuming the Expenditure Plan we submit is accepted, NOAA would
disburse funds directly to the County through some kind of contract or agreement built around the
expenditure plan. The County is free to spend the money directly on consultants, materials, staff,capital
costs,etc.,or to pass the money on to some other organization to manage it for us,provided the terms and
conditions required by NOAA are adhered to. Congressman Miller has suggested that the Muir Heritage
Page 1 of 2
Land Trust would be an appropriate entity to serve this function. Should the County choose.to pass the
money on, we should involve the receiving entity in the contractual arrangements with NOAA, possibly
through a separate side agreement.
Planning Expenditures Without Knowing How Much Money We Will Receive: Since we have not
received an estimate yet on how much money will be allocated to the County, planning expenditures is
difficult. We have been told our share will be in the range of tens of thousands to (lower) hundreds of
thousands. Since the reporting schedule is so tight, we suggest identifying one or more projects as a high
priority first in line for funding. Other projects could also be listed as possible fund recipients depending
on the ultimate allocation.
Suggestions on Use of Funds: We consulted with Tina Batt at the Muir Heritage Land Trust to receive
input on productive uses of CIAP funds. Given that total CIAP funds available are unlikely to be sufficient
to fully fund a coastal acquisition project or resource restoration project of any significant scale, Ms. Batt
recommends that the first(and perhaps only) increment of funds be used for study and planning purposes.
Additional funds could be used as seed money for implementation projects.
Based on the above,one potential priority use of about$50,000 of CIAP funding would be the following:
Carquinez Strait Heritage Corridor Acquisition,Enhancement,and Stewardship Plan: This study
would identify opportunities for protecting and enhancing natural resources along the coast and
coastal watersheds of Contra Costa County, from Point San Pablo in the west to the Sacramento-
San Joaquin Delta in the east (the eastern limit of the study may depend on how NOAA defines
shoreline in their fund allocation formula; in other words, does the"shoreline" end at the eastern
edge of the Bay, defined by various state statutes as Stake Point near the Bay Point community?).
This study would provide the baseline information necessary to define specific implementation
projects, be they land or habitat acquisition, habitat restoration, or long term stewardship.
Conceptual projects which would or could be addressed in Plan include the following:
• Point San Pablo trails, restoration and public access
• Rodeo marina
• Conversion/restoration of the Point.Ozol military facilities to a public park
• Praxis property acquisition at the mouth of the Walnut Creek Channel
• Lower Walnut Creek Channel restoration project
• Point Edith clean-up, signage, and public access
• Concord Naval Weapons Station wetlands restoration
• PG&E wetlands in the Bay Point area
• Delta Science Center at Big Break
The conceptual projects listed above, as well as other project ideas developed in the Plan, would be
candidates for receiving any CIAP funds which remain after the Plan is funded. The Committee may wish
to prioritize these conceptual projects and/or earmark one or more of them for any left-over funding in the
draft expenditure plan we submit to the State.
Attachments:
• April 3 Board Order referring the CLAP issue to the TWI Committee
WAPersonalVohn main\ciaptwireportapril0I.doc
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