HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04111995 - 2.5 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AS THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE
CONTRA COSTA - COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL AND WATER
CONSERVATION DISTRICT
FROM: VAL ALEXEEFF, DIRECTOR
GROWTH MANAGEMENT & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
DATE: APRIL 11, 1995
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR DISTRICT SUPPORT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY GRANT APPLICATION FOR MODIFICATION
OF SAN PAB.LO CREEK CHUTE, UPSTREAM OF THIRD STREET,
NORTH RICHMOND AREA
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE the request by Coalition to Restore Urban Waters and AUTHORIZE the Chair of the
Board of Supervisors to send letters to the Corps of Engineers and Environmental Protection Agency
indicating the Distr'ict's support for the proposed modification of the existing concreted rock chute
on San Pablo Creek upstream of Third Street subject to the following:
1. The District reserves the right to review and require its approval of the design and hydraulic
calculations for the new chute, and
2. The District's financial participation shall be restricted to the cost of one meeting at the
commencement of the design process and two reviews of the completed proposal.
(See Page 2 for additional information)
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF BOARD ON Ap r i 1 11 , 19 9 5 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND
CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED
X UNANIMOUS(ABSENT — — —) ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON
THE DATE SHOWN.
AYES: NOES: ATTESTED April 11 , 1995
ABSENT: ABSTAIN:
PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
VA:dg BY ,DEPUTY
spereekbo b`
Contact: Val Alexeeff(646-1620)
CC: County Administrator
County Counsel
GMEDA Departments
U.S.Army Corps of Engineers(via GMEDA)
U.S.Environmental Protection Agency(via GMEDA)
Coalition to Restore Urban Waters(via GMEDA)
San Pablo Creek - Chute
April 11, 1995
Page 2
FISCAL IMPACT:
The sponsor, Coalition to Restore Urban Waters, through a Federal Environmental Protection
Agency grant, will fund all costs for design and construction. Flood Control District costs will be
limited to reviewing the completed plans and specifications for the project at an estimated cost to
the District of$5,000. Due to the hydraulic uncertainty and the unknown structural integrity of the
proposed natural rock chute, and the District's limited funding for this creek, the extent of liability
must be determined.
BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS:
Significant project changes were made,to the Wildcat-San Pablo Creek Project to accommodate the
desires of various environmental groups and agencies. These changes occurred after we had secured
the local funding for the project. The changes increased the local governments cost share by
approximately $2,000,000. As of this date, the project is still under funded by $800,000. We have
secured redevelopment funding for one-half of this amount and it appears the District will have to
use its annual engineering budget to fund the remaining shortfall. The two entities funding the
project(Flood Control Zone 7 and Drainage Area 73) are broke. Due to the elimination of Special
District Augmentation Funds, the future cost of maintaining the San Pablo Creek improvements will
have to be funded by the County's funds from Stormwater Utility Area No. 17 (unincorporated).
The existing grade control structure on Sari Pablo Creek upstream of Third Street consists of a rock
and concrete grout chute approximately three feet thick and accommodates a flow line grade
differential of approximately 3.5 feet. The Coalition to Restore Urban Waters proposed to replace
the chute with another chute using large boulders to avoid the use of concrete to hold the rock in
place.
The Flood Control District's concern with the proposal is the uncertainty of designing a natural
appearing rock chute in a major stream that could cause significant damage to adjacent properties
if the facility fails. The natural environment for this type of chute is a mountain stream where
erosion goes unchecked and the movement of some boulders are of no consequence because the
adjacent ground is composed of boulders that slow down the rate of erosion. San Pablo Creek is
designed to convey 5,000 cubic feet per second, i.e., 2,250,000 gallons per minute, during a 100-year
storm event. this amount of flow can cause serious damage if the grade control structure fails. The
County and the District is self insured.
This item is back before the Board because the prior action to have an agency of the Federal
Government accept liability and maintain responsibility has not occurred. By default, it is
recommended that Stormwater Utility Area No. 17(unincorporated) accept this responsibility. Prior
to the District issuance of an encroachment permit for the work, the District will report back to the
Board as to the adequacy of the design and the potential future cost impacts.
Phil
The Board of Supervisors Contra Clerk ooffthe Board
Costa and
County Administration Building County Administrator
651 Pine Street, Room 106 (sto)646-2371
Martinez, California 94553-1293 County
Tom Powers,1 st District
Jeff Smith,2nd District E•_," o„
Gayle Bishop,3rd District =s`'
Mark DeSaulnier,4th District
Tom Torlakson,5th District
sT'9 COU21'f
April 11, 1995
Paul Bowers, Project Engineer
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Sacramento District
650 Capitol Mall
Sacramento CA 95814
Dear Mr. Bowers:
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has accepted the experimental concept proposed by
the Coalition to Restore Urban Waters for modification of the concrete rock chute on San Pablo
Creek. This concept will promote habitat within the creek channel.
The Flood Control District's qualifications represent the County's interest in evaluating the final
design before construction to determine the extent of potential liability and how it can be minimized
to the County.
Sincerely,
Gayle Bishop, Chair
GBNA:4
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cc: CCC GMEDA
CCC Flood Control District
Coalition to Restore Urban Waters
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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