Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04271993 - LB.9 _ Contra TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS s\., Costa FROM: EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT CONTRA COSTA COUNTY LIAISON COMMITTEE J� County (Supervisors McPeak and Torlakson) r " DATE: April 8, 1993 SUBJECT: Bio-diversity Committee SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATIONS) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Authorize the Chairman of the Board to sign a joint letter with the Chairman of the East Bay Regional Parks District and a representative of California Fish and Game requesting participation of selected governmental agencies and non-profit organizations on establishing a Alameda - Contra Costa Bio- diversity Task Force. 2 . Authorize Community Development and Public Works Department staff to expend staff time participating in this effort. FISCAL IMPACT The costs of staff time and miscellaneous costs associated with meeting attendance. BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS In an effort to rationalize the decision making process on the regulation of special status species and unique habitats, the California Resources Agency has established a Bio-diversity Council's throughout the State to provide broad guidance on a regional basis; Contra Costa County is within the Bay Area region. Fish and Game has also been attempting to establish more localized groups to handle specific issues. They invited members of the staffs of Alameda County, Contra Costa County, EBRPD, EBMUD, U.S. Corp of Engineers., and local non-profit groups such as the Native .Plant Society and Martinez Regional Land Trust etc. , to determine if a local group should be established to share environmental data, coordinate data systems and storage (geo-graphic information systems) and to try to devise plans for protecting habitats rather than focusing on a species by species regulation. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S) : /0V IN. ACTION OF BOARD ON _17, 1 07 9 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED _ 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: Jim Cutler (510) 646-2035 ATTESTED a7 S y3 cc: CAO PHI BATCH LOR, CLERK OF Public Works THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS County Counsel AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR Fish and Game t While governmental representatives went to a few initial discussion meetings, they felt that their agencies would only participate with the concurrence of their policy bodies. Fish and Game staff requested that some local sponsors would be helpful in establishing such a forum. Staff brought this matter to our committee and we concur that establishing such a committee would be desirable. We recommend the Board authorize the Chair to sign a letter with EBRPD and Fish and Game to invite selected agencies for there participation. Official sponsorship of the group will remain under Fish and Game auspices. A listing of individuals originally requested to participate is attached. It is anticipated that this will be an informal group which will meet from 4 to 12 times a year as needed. The initial meetings of the group felt the scope should include all of Alameda and Contra Costa counties and would focus on upland areas and not get'involved in Bay-Delta issues since other agencies are working on them. JC:kd 3/misc/kd BIODI.BOy -2- ' 9-R- 6-93 TUE 16: 13 E B R P D FAX N0, 5105691417 P, 02 s April , 1993 Dear The state Department of Fish and Game, Contra Costa County, Alameda County and the East Bay Regional Park District, invite you or your agency/organization to formally participate in the Alameda - Contra Costa Biodiversity Task Force. The Biodiversity Task Force is a working committee comprised of public agencies, non-profit organizations and individuals interested in cooperatively addressing local issues and conflicts related to the conservation of the regionally' significant areas of biological diversity*, in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. *(Biological diversity ,. is defined as all species of indigenous animals and plants and the natural environments upon which they rely) . The Biodiversity tTask Force was initiated by the California Department of Fish and Game after the "Agreement on Biological Diversity, " a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among 10 state and federal agencies was signed in 1991. This agreement makes the maintenance and enhancembnt of biological diversity a preeminent goal in the protection and management of California's natural resources. Consistent with the statewide agreement, the Alameda - Contra Costa Biodiversity Taski Force brings together a range of agencies, organizations and. individuals to discuss strategies for agency coordination and sharing of resource and map data. Participation in the Biodiversity Task Force would provide local jurisdictions with greater opportunities for: • Improved planning, coordination and implementation among public agencies, environmental organizations, citizens and landowners • Information exchange among agencies and institutions resulting in an expanded base of resource information for long range planning and -environmental review • Cooperative programs in public education, technical assistance and staff training • Greater funding opportunities for cooperative projects ' AR- 6-93 TUE 16;14 E B R P D FAX N0, 5105691417 P, 03 To formalize regular interagency coordination and cooperation and to improve each agency's ability to share information resources and staff, we are requesting official participation by a representative of your agency/prganization. It is anticipated that the Biodiversity Task,: Force would require a staff time commitment of approximately one -meeting every 4-6 weeks as needed. The next meeting of the Alameda - Contra Costa Biodiversity Group is on May 24, 19.93 at the EBMUD building in Oakland. Please contact Deborah Hillyard of the Department of Fish and Game at (40S) 726-3847. We look forward to you or a representative of your agency. participating in this program. Sincerely, Deborah Hillyard Plant Ecologist California Department of Fish and Game --------------------------------- Tom Torlakson, Chair Contra Costa Board of ,Supervisors ------------------ -------------- Ed Campbell, President Alameda County Board of Supervisors ---------------------------------- Jocelyn Combs, President East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors- a: \Agncylet.bio • t