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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 11191991 - WC.2 W C•2 . r TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM: WATER COMMITTEE 1 Contra SUPERVISOR TOM TORLAKSON, CHAIR SUPERVISOR SUNNE WRIGHT McPEAK Costa 00 DATE: NOVEMBER 19, 1991 °s>;C ai`' ` County SUBJECT: WETLANDS RESTORATION POTENTIAL - PRAXIS PROPERTY AND OTHER AREAS; Wildlife Awards Program SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATIONS) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Receive report from Fish and Wildlife Committee on cost estimates for potential restoration of the Praxis property to wetlands (freshwater and tidal options) . 2 . Direct the Community Development Department (CDD) to determine Central Contra Costa Sanitary District interest and associated cost for providing effluent and equipment for potential wetland restoration of Praxis property. 3 . Authorize Water Committee members to sign a letter to Mr. Charles Warren, State Lands Commission (SLC) , requesting specific information on public trust interests in the Praxis property, and how the SLC would evaluate restorative cost-effectiveness of this parcel in relation to other areas of the County. 4. Authorize Chair to sign letters to the Martinez Land Trust, the Trust for Public Lands, the Coastal Conservancy and the Mt. Diablo Audubon Society to determine disposition of applications before the Shell Oil Spill Litigation Settlement Trustee Committee and related matters pertaining to the Praxis property. 5. Direct the Fish and Wildlife Committee to consider potential wetlands restoration of selected areas on islands within the Delta area of the County. 6. Refer to the Fish and Wildlife Committee development of an awards program to show appreciation to entities which engage in activities that benefit fish and wildlife resources. None of the above recommendations is intended to restrict or prohibit any use of the Praxis property that currently is allowed by the County General Plan and applicable zoning. Nor does any recommendation constitute an indication that the County or any Board-governed special district intends to purchase the property or any part of it. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S) : Supervisor Tom Torlakson, Chair Supervisor Sunne Wright McPeak ACTION OF BOARD ON NO 19 19,41 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED _2L OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A UNANIMOUS (ABSENT TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN AYES: NOES: ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE ABSENT: ABSTAIN: MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Orig: Community Development Dept. (CDD) ATTESTED N OV 19 1991 cc: GMEDA PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF County Counsel THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RG:se wa1Abo\1191wo2.bo BY DEPUTY Wetlands Restoration Potential - Praxis Property and Other Areas Continued - Page Two BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Per Board direction of March 5, August 6, and October 1, 1991, the Fish and Wildlife Committee (F&WC) , has prepared a report on the potential for the Praxis property to be restored to wetlands (tidal or freshwater) . Among other items, the report estimates a cost of approximately $750, 000 for freshwater marsh restoration using treated effluent, and $512, 000 to $787, 000 (depending upon degree of fill removal) for tidal wetland restoration. Further findings and recommendations are contained in the report, dated October 29, 1991. 2 . The degree of involvement by the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District in the provision of effluent and other equipment for potential freshwater restoration of the Praxis property remains to be resolved. A point of contention exists as to the degree of involvement by Central Sanitary cited in the F&WC report. The Water Committee recommends that CDD research and resolve this issue. 3 . Further detail from the State Lands Commission is necessary to determine public trust interest in the Praxis property, and Commission evaluation regarding restoration potential of this area in relation to other areas within the County. 4 . Letters to these agencies were determined to be necessary in order to determine agency interest and current status of applications before the Shell Oil Spill Litigation Settlement Trustee Committee regarding the Praxis property. Letters would also request input on cost effectiveness of restoration of this area, and identification of any other funding sources. 5. During their November 4, 1991 meeting, Water Committee members requested suggestions from attendees on good locations for habitat restoration activities. Good candidates would include areas where cost effective restoration methods could be employed with resultant high habitat value. The Water Committee also requested input from the Fish and Wildlife Committee on island areas where restoration activities could take place. 6. The Fish and Wildlife Committee (F&WC) has requested, and the Water Committee has recommended that an awards program be developed by the F&WC. The awards program would primarily focus on a certificate of appreciation signed by the Board and the F&WC for those acts by individuals, groups or organizations which benefit fish and wildlife resources. The F&WC would report to the Water Committee once such a program has been developed. RG:se wal:\bo\1191wc2.bo