HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 10241989 - WC.1 WC1
TO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: Water Committee Contra
Supervisor Sunne McPeak and
Supervisor Tom Toriakson Costa
DATE . October 24, .1989 `" Cainty
SUBJECT: Water Related Issues
SPECIFIC REQUESTS) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Direct the Community Development Department. to report to the -
Water Committee regarding the filling of wetlands and
remedial measures planned and implemented for the Big Break
area.
2 . Request that the Fish and Wildlife Committee provide to the
Water Committee the following:
a) A workable definition of a wetland;
b) An inventory of existing wetland areas to be preserved
and/or restored; and
c) Financial methods and a time table for preservation.
The Water Committee requests that the first two items be
provided within 60 days.
3 . Authorize the Chair to sign letters regarding the current
status of Coastal Conservancy and San Francisco Estuary
Project funding for the enhancement of wetlands within
Contra Costa County.
4. Authorize the Chair to sign a letter to the Assessor' s
Office requesting:
a) An appraisal of property tax reduction impacts and
property rights issues resulting from placement of
private land into trusts for preservation purposes; and
b) The current status of lands under Williamson Act
contracts and impacts on trusts on . Williamson Act
lands.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE'
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE THER
�\/T fes- �I�
SIGNATURE(s): Supervisor Sunne I Supervisor Tom Torlakson
ACTION OF BOARD ON October 24, 1989 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
cc: Community Development (Orig. Dept. ) ATTESTED
County Administrator PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
Karl Wandry, CDD SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
M382/7-83 BYE, —,DEPUTY
FINANCIAL IMPACT
None.
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION%BACKGROUND
1 . The Fish and Wildlife Committee reported to the Water
Committee during the October 16, 1989, meeting that as part
of construction efforts for housing development, a
contractor inadvertently graded and filled approximately
four acres of wetlands in the Big Break area of Oakley. The
Committee felt that replanting the area with native species
suggested by the Community Development Department would not
be adequate mitigation to the filling. There is also
concern that some construction may also be occurring within
the filled area.
2. A workable definition of wetlands and an inventory of
wetlands areas ( including areas for restoration and
enhancement) within Contra Costa County was determined by
the Water Committee to be a necessary first step for the
preservation of selected wetland areas. The Water Committee
requests these items to be provided within 60 days for
possible incorporation in some form, into the more general
policies contained within the new draft General Plan.
Financial methods to accomplish preservation goals are also
to be included, and should be submitted as soon as possible.
3 . The San Francisco Estuary Project and the State Coastal
Conservancy have in the past had funds available for wetland
restoration projects. The Water Committee would like to
ascertain the current status of these funds, and what
restrictions would apply to use of these funds for wetland
acquisition and restoration.
4 . The Water Committee wishes to consider a land trust
opportunity as a method to preserve wetland areas. A
landowner wishing to preserve wetland area could receive a
tax break much like lands under Williamson Act contract.
The Water Committee requests that the Assessor' s Office
provide some information regarding property tax reduction
impacts and property rights issues associated with a
wetlands trust opportunity. How this type of trust would
impact Williamson Act lands and an update on the Williamson
Act status in the County are also -requested'' from the
Assessor.
RG: jal: jl32:wat.brd