HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06122007 - C.52 �r!
Contra
Costa
TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS J�
Count
FROM: Dennis M. Barry, AICP y
Community Development Director
DATE: June 12, 2007
SUBJECT: Grant award from the California Coastal Conservancy to fund an assessment of
historical ecological conditions in the County
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION
AUTHORIZE the Community Development Director, or his designee, to execute all grant documents
necessary to secure grant funds totaling $150,000 from the California Coastal Conservancy to be used
to implement an assessment of historical ecological conditions in the County.
FISCAL IMPACT
No impact to general fund. The grant award will bring a total of $150,000 from the California Costal
Conservancy to fund an assessment of historical ecological conditions in the County. The California
Department of Fish and Game has committed $40,000 to the project. Staff from the Flood Control
District has indicated that it may be able provide up to $100,000 in local matching funds if such
contribution is approved as mitigation for Flood.Control activities by state or federal regulatory agencies
(the grant agreement does not bind Flood Control to provide these matching funds). Funds would be
used to pay for professional staff time at the San Francisco Estuary Institute ("SFEI") and at the County
Community Development Department ("CDD"), with SFEI providing the scientific expertise and the
CDD providing support to the Geographic Information System ("GIS') and public involvement
components. Within the existing capacity and budget of the Water Agency, staff from the Community
Development Department would also provide some project management services in kind as part of the
local match. Staff from SFEI, CDD and the Public Works Department are pursuing other funding
sources as well. The first phase of the project involves data collection countywide and data analysis in
east County and is estimated to cost $290,000. Data analysis in central and west County would be
pursued in subsequent phases and would require additional funding.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: x YES SIGNATURE: � �--5
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURES . r
ACTION OF B D ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
�JNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) 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: Abigail Fateman (CDD) (925) 335-1272 ATTESTED-r,
(�
JOHN CULLEN, CLERK OF
cc: Community Development Department (CDD)'- `= BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Public Works Department, Attn: Mitch AvalonAND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
BY PUTY
Grant Agreement with the CA Coastal Conservancy
June 12, 2007
Page 2 of 2
BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
On April 101h 2007, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors authorized staff to
submit a grant proposal for $150,000 to the California Coastal Conservancy.
On May 24'h, 2007 the California Coastal Conservancy Board approved funding the
proposal, and initiated the contracting process. A work plan will be developed
collaboratively by the Coastal Conservancy staff and the Community Development
Department consistent with the proposal that was submitted in April. The grant agreement
with the Coastal Conservancy includes the following indemnification and hold harmless
clause which is standard for grants from the Coastal Conservancy.
"The grantee shall be responsible for, indemnify and hold harmless the
Conservancy, its officers, agents and employees from any and all liabilities,
claims, demands, damages, or costs, including without limitation litigation costs
and attorneys fees, resulting from or arising out of the willful or negligent acts or
omissions of the grantee, its officers, agents, contractors, subcontractors and
employees, or in any way connected with or incident to this agreement, except
for the active negligence of the Conservancy, its officers, agents or employees.
The duty of the grantee to indemnify and hold harmless includes the duty to
defend as set forth in Civil Code Section 2778.
The grantee waives any and all rights to any type of express or implied
indemnity or right of contribution from the State, its officers, agents or
employees, for any liability resulting from, growing out of, or in any way
connected with or incident to this agreement.
Nothing in this agreement is intended to create in the public or in any member of
it rights as a third-party beneficiary under this agreement. "
Staff recommends that the Board authorize the Community Development Director, or his
designee, to execute all grant documents necessary to secure grant funds from the
California Coastal Conservancy.
Attachment:
Grant agreement from the California Coastal Conservancy
STATE OF CALIFORNIA' AGREEMENT NUMBER AM.NO.
STANDARD AGREEMENT 06-131
(Grant-Rev 09/06) TAXPAYERS FEDERAL EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.
94-6000509
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this day of
in the State of California, by and between State of California. through its duly elected or appointed, qualified and acting
TITLE OF OFFICER ACTING FOR STATE AGENCY
Executive Officer i State Coastal Conservancy hereafter called the Conservancy, and
GRANTEE'S NAME
Contra Costa County Communitv Development Department hereafter called the Grantee.
The Grantee. for and in consideration of the covenants, conditions, agreements, and stipulations of the Conservancy hereinafter expressed,
does hereby agree as follows:
SCOPE OF AGREEMENT
Pursuant to Chapter 4.5 of Division 21 of the California Public Resources Code, the State Coastal Conservancy
(`'the Conservancv") hereby urants to Contra Costa County ("the grantee") a sum not to exceed $150.000 (one
hundred fifty thousand dollars), subject to the terms and conditions of this agreement. The grantee shall use these
funds to support a Historical Ecology Project ("the project") for areas of Contra Costa County.
The Historical Ecoloav Project shall include research. reporting and mapping for the entire County and more
detailed anal-,sis. reporting and mapping* for the East County (see Exhibit l for a map showing the County and
East County, focus area). For the entire County. the project will include historical data collection; bibliographic
database development. data compilation and oeorectiffcation. Using the results of this data-aathering and
analysis, public outreach materials will be developed and distributed. For the East County, the project will
additionally provide Geographic Information System (GIS) synthesis to create GIS datalayers of historical
landscapes. analysis to assess and illustrate historical ecological and hydror_eomorphic patterns and chances and
detailed reporting- of the findings and resources.
(Continued on Following Pages)
The provisions on the following pages constitute a part of this agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,this agreement has been executed by the parties hereto, upon the date first above written.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA GRANTEE
AGENCY GRANTEE(II othertnan an individual,state whethera corporation,partnership,etc.)
State Coastal Conservancy Contra Costa Co. Community Development Dept.
BY(Authorized Signature) BY(Authorized Signature)
PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON SIGNING PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON SIGNING
Samuel Schuchat, Executive Officer Dennis M Barry. AICP
ADDRESS&PHONE NUMBER ADDRESS
1330 Broadway. 13Floor 651 Pine Street. North Win(,. 4`i' Floor
Oakland. CA 94612 Phone: ('510) ':_86-1015 Martinez. CA 94553
AMOUNT ENCUMBERED BY THIS PROGRAM/CATEGORY(CODE AND TITLE) FUND TITLE
DOCUMENT �;: Capital Outlay California Clean Water... I certify that this agreement is
S 150.000-00
5r.000 00 (OPTIONAL USE) exempt from Department of
V l\ V Contra Costa County Historical Ecology General Services approval.
PRIOR AMOUNT ENCUMBERED I! ITEM Rcappropriated by Ch.38/05 K 0-5/06 CHAPTER STATUTE FISCAL YEAR
FOR THIS AGREEMENT
3760-301-6029(1)SI 35-52-7.(() 308 2004 04/05
ji
3760-301-6029(2)S14.473.0(: 379 2002 02/03
TOTAL AMOUNT ENCUMBERED OBJECT OF EXPENDITURE(COD=AND TITLE)
TO DATE
S 150.000.00 San Francisco Bay
I hereby certify upon my own personal knowledge that budgeted funds are available for the period and purpose of the
expenditure Stated above.
SIGNATURE OF ACCOUNTING OFFICER DATE
❑GRANTEE 0 ACCOUNTING ❑PROJECT MANAGER ❑CONTROLLER ❑STATE AGENCY
.Contra Costa County
Grant Agreement No. 06-131
Page 2
SCOPE OF AGREEMENT (Continued)
The.grantee shall carry out the project in accordance with this agreement and a work
program as provided in the "WORK PROGRAM" section, below. The grantee shall
provide any funds beyond those granted under this agreement which are needed to .
complete the project.
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO COMMENCEMENT OF PROJECT AND
DISBURSEMENT
The grantee shall not commence the project and the Conservancy shall not be obligated to
disburse any funds under this agreement unless and until the following conditions
precedent have been met:
1. The Board of Supervisors of the grantee has adopted a resolution authorizing the
execution of this agreement and approving its terms and conditions.
2. The Executive Officer of the Conservancy ("Executive Officer") has approved in
writing:
a. The work program for the project as provided in the "WORK PROGRAM"
section, below.
b. All contractors that the grantee intends to retain in connection with the project.
TERM OF AGREEMENT
This agreement shall be deemed executed and effective when signed by both parties and
received in the office of the Conservancy together with the resolution described in the
"CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO COMMENCEMENT OF PROJECT AND
DISBURSEMENT" section of this agreement. An authorized representative of the
grantee shall sign the first page of the originals of this agreement in ink.
This agreement shall run from its effective date through December 31, 2008 ("the
termination date") unless otherwise terminated or amended as provided in this agreement.
However, all work shall be completed by September 30, 2008 ("the completion date").
Contra Costa County
Grant Agreement No. 06-131
Page 3
AUTHORIZATION
The signature of the Executive Officer of the Conservancy on this agreement certifies
that at its May 24, 2007 meeting, the Conservancy adopted the resolution included in the
staff recommendation attached as Exhibit 2. This agreement is executed under that
authorization.
Contra Costa County
Grant Agreement No. 06-131
Page 4
Standard Provisions
WORK PROGRAM
Before beginning the project, the grantee shall submit a detailed work program to the
Executive Officer for review and written approval of its consistency with the purposes of
this grant agreement. The work program shall include:
1. The specific tasks to be performed.
2. A schedule of completion for the project, specifically listing the completion date for
each project component and a final project completion date.
3. A detailed project budget. The project budget shall describe all labor and materials
costs of completing each component of the project. For each project component, the
project budget shall list all intended funding sources including the Conservancy's
grant and all other sources of monies, materials, or labor.
If all or any part of the project to be funded under this agreement will be performed by
third parties ("contractors") under contract with the grantee, then the grantee shall, prior
to initiating any request for contractor bids, submit the bid package to the Executive
Officer for review and written approval as to consistency with the purposes of this grant
agreement. Upon approval by the Executive Officer, the grantee shall proceed with the
bidding process. Prior to final selection of a contractor, the grantee shall submit to the
Executive Officer for written approval the names of all contractors that the grantee
intends to hire. The grantee shall then comply with the above paragraph regarding
submission and approval of a work program prior to project commencement.
The work program shall have the same effect as if included in the text of this agreement.
However, the work program may be modified without amendment of this agreement
upon the grantee's submission of a modified work program and the Executive Officer's
written approval of it. If this agreement and the work program are inconsistent, the
agreement shall control.
The grantee shall carry out the project in accordance with the approved work program.
COORDINATION AND MEETINGS
The grantee shall coordinate closely with Conservancy staff and other involved entities,
including local, state and federal agencies, and shall participate in meetings and other
communications as necessary to ensure coordination.
Contra Costa County
Grant Agreement No. 06-131
Page 5
WORK PRODUCTS
All material, data, information, and written, graphic or other work produced under this
agreement is subject to the unqualified and unconditional right of the Conservancy to use,
reproduce,publish, display, and make derivative use of all such work, or any part of it,
free of charge and in any manner and for any purpose; and to authorize others to do so. If
any of the work is subject to copyright, trademark, service mark, or patent, the
Conservancy is granted and shall have a perpetual, royalty-free, nonexclusive and
irrevocable license to use, reproduce, publish, use in the creation of derivative works, and
display and perform the work, or any part of it, and to grant to any third party a
comparable and coextensive sublicense.
The grantee shall include in any contract with a third party for work under this agreement .
terms that preserve the rights, interests, and obligations created by this section, and that
identify the Conservancy as a third-party beneficiary of those provisions.
The grantee shall not utilize the work produced under this agreement for any profit-
making venture, or sell or grant rights to a third party for that purpose.
COSTS AND DISBURSEMENTS
When the Conservancy determines thai all "CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO
COMMENCEMENT OF PROJECT AND.DISBURSEMENT"have been fully met, the
Conservancy shall disburse to the grantee, in accordance with the approved project
budget, a total amount not to exceed the amount of this grant, as follows:
The Conservancy shall disburse funds for costs incurred to date, less ten percent, upon
the grantee's satisfactory progress under the approved work program and upon
submission of a "Request for Disbursement" form, which shall be submitted no more
frequently than monthly but no less frequently than quarterly. The Conservancy shall
disburse the ten percent withheld upon the grantee's satisfactory completion of the
project and compliance with the "PROJECT COMPLETION" section, below, and upon
the Conservancy's acceptance of the project.
The Conservancy will reimburse the grantee for expenses necessary to the project when
documented by appropriate receipts. The Conservancy will reimburse travel and related
expenses at actual costs not to exceed the rates provided in Title 2, Division 1, Chapter 3,
Subchapter 1, Article 2 of the California Code of Regulations ("CCR"), except that
reimbursement may be in excess of these rates upon provision of documentation that
rates in compliance are not reasonably available to the grantee. Reimbursement for the
cost of operating a private vehicle shall not, under any circumstance, exceed the rate
Contra Costa County
Grant Agreement No. 06-131
Page 6
COSTS AND DISBURSEMENTS (Continued)
specified for excluded employees in 2 CCR Section 599.631(a) as of the date the cost is
incurred. The Conservancy will reimburse the grantee for other necessary expenses if
those expenses are reasonable in nature and amount taking into account the nature of the
project, its location, and other relevant factors.
The grantee shall request disbursements by filing with the Conservancy a fully executed
"Request for Disbursement" form (available from the Conservancy). The grantee shall
include in the form its name and address, the number of this agreement, the date of the
submission, the amount of the invoice, the period during which the work was actually
done, and an itemized description, including time, materials, and expenses incurred, of all
work done for which disbursement is requested. The form shall also indicate cumulative
expenditures to date, expenditures during the reporting period, and the unexpended
balance of funds under the grant agreement.
An authorized representative of the grantee shall sign the form. Each form shall be
accompanied by:
1. All receipts and any other source documents for direct expenditures and costs that the
grantee has incurred.
2. Original invoices from contractors that the grantee engaged to complete any portion
of the work funded under this agreement and any receipts and any other source
documents for costs incurred and expenditures by any such contractor, unless the
Executive Officer makes a specific exemption in writing.
3. Written substantiation of completion of the portion of the project for which the
grantee is requesting disbursement.
With each form, the grantee shall submit a supporting progress report summarizing the
current status of the work and comparing it to the status required by the work program
(budget, timeline, tasks, etc.). The grantee's failure to fully execute and submit a Request
for Disbursement form, including attachment of supporting documents, will relieve the
Conservancy of its obligation to disburse funds to the grantee unless and until the grantee
corrects all deficiencies.
Contra Costa County
Grant.Agreement No. 06-131
Page 7
EJtPENDITURE OF FUNDS AND ALLOCATION OF FUNDING AMONG
BUDGET ITEMS (Continued)
The grantee shall expend funds in the manner described in the approved project budget.
The allocation of the Conservancy's total grant among the items in the project budget
may vary by as much as ten percent without approval by the Executive Officer. Any
difference of more than ten percent must be approved in writing by the Executive Officer.
The Conservancy may withhold payment for changes in particular budget items which
exceed the amount allocated in the project budget by more than ten percent and which
have not received the approval required above. The total amount of this grant may not be
increased except by amendment to this agreement. Any increase in the funding for any
particular budget item shall mean a decrease in the funding for one or more other budget
items unless there is a written amendment to this agreement.
PROJECT COMPLETION
The grantee shall complete the project by the completion date provided in the "TERM OF
AGREEMENT" section, above. Upon completion of the project, the grantee shall supply
the Conservancy with evidence of completion by submitting:
1. All work products specified in the work program for the project, each in a format or
formats (for example, paper, digital, photographic) approved by the Executive
Officer.
2. Documentation that the grantee has complied with the "CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION CATALOG ENTRY" section, below.
3. A fully executed final "Request for Disbursement" form.
Within thirty days of the grantee's compliance with this paragraph, the Conservancy shall
determine whether the grantee has satisfactorily completed the project. If so, the
Conservancy shall issue to the grantee a letter of acceptance of the project. The project
shall be deemed complete as of the date of the letter.
EARLY TERMINATION AND FAILURE TO PERFORM
Prior to the completion of the project, either party may terminate this agreement for any
reason by providing the other party with seven days notice in writing. ,
Contra Costa County
Grant Agreement No. 06-131
Page 8
EARLY TERMINATION AND FAILURE TO PERFORM (Continued)
If the Conservancy terminates the agreement prior to the completion of the project, the
grantee shall take all reasonable measures to prevent further costs to the Conservancy,
and the Conservancy shall be responsible for any reasonable and non-cancelable
obligations incurred by the grantee in the performance of this agreement prior to the date
of the notice to terminate, but only up to the undisbursed balance of funding authorized in
this agreement.
If the grantee fails to complete the project as required, or fails to fulfill any other
obligations of this agreement.prior to the termination date, the grantee shall be liable for
immediate repayment to the Conservancy of all amounts disbursed by the Conservancy
under this agreement. The Conservancy may, at its sole discretion, consider extenuating
circumstances and not require repayment for work partially completed. This paragraph
shall not be deemed to limit any other remedies the Conservancy may have for breach of
this agreement.
INDEMNIFICATION AND HOLD HARMLESS
The grantee shall be responsible for, indemnify.and hold harmless the Conservancy, its
officers, agents and employees from any and all liabilities, claims, demands, damages, or
costs, including without limitation litigation costs and attorneys fees, resulting from or
arising out of the willful or negligent acts or omissions of the grantee, its officers, agents,
contractors, subcontractors and employees, or in any way connected with or incident to
this agreement, except for the active negligence of the Conservancy, its.officers, agents or
employees. The duty of the grantee to indemnify and hold harmless includes the duty to
defend as set forth in Civil Code Section 2778.
The grantee waives any and all rights to any type of express or implied indemnity or right
of contribution from the State, its officers, agents or employees, for any liability resulting
from, growing out of, or in any way connected with or incident to this agreement.
Nothing in this agreement is intended to create in the public or in any member of it rights
as a third-party beneficiary under this agreement. .
AUDITS/ACCOUNTING/RECORDS
The grantee shall maintain financial accounts, documents, and records (collectively,
"records") relating to this agreement, in accordance with the guidelines of "Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles" ("GAAP") published by the American Institute of
Contra Costa County
Grant Agreement No. 06-131
Page 9
AUDITS/ACCOUNTING/RECORDS (Continued)
Certified Public Accountants. The records shall include, without limitation, evidence
sufficient to reflect properly the amount, receipt,deposit, and disbursement of all funds
related to work under the agreement. Time and effort reports are also required. The
grantee shall maintain.adequate supporting records in a manner that permits tracing from
the request for disbursement forms to the accounting records and to the supporting
documentation.
Additionally, the Conservancy or its agents may review, obtain, and copy all records
relating to performance of the agreement. The grantee shall provide the Conservancy or
its agents with any relevant information requested and shall permit the Conservancy or its
agents access to the grantee's premises upon reasonable notice, during normal business
hours, to interview employees and inspect and copy books, records, accounts, and other
material that may be relevant to a matter under investigation for the purpose of
determining compliance with this agreement and any applicable laws and regulations.
The grantee shall retain the required records for a minimum of three years following final
disbursement by the Conservancy. The records shall be subject to examination and audit
by the Conservancy and the Bureau of State Audits during the retention period.
If the grantee retains any contractors to accomplish any of the work of this agreement, the
grantee shall first enter into an agreement with each contractor requiring the contractor to
meet the terms of this. section and to make the terms applicable to all subcontractors.
The Conservancy may disallow all or part of the cost of any activity or action that it
determines to be not in compliance with the requirements of this agreement.
COMPUTER SOFTWARE
The grantee certifies that it has instituted and will employ systems and controls
appropriate to ensure that, in the performance of this contract, state funds will not be used
for the acquisition,operation or maintenance of computer software in violation of
copyright laws.
NONDISCRIMINATION
During the. performance of this agreement, the grantee and its contractors shall not
unlawfully discriminate against, harass, or allow harassment against any employee or
applicant for employment because of sex, race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry,
Contra Costa County
Grant Agreement No. 06-131
Page 10
NONDISCRIMINATION (Continued)
disability, medical condition, marital status, age (over 40) or denial of family-care leave,
medical-care leave, or pregnancy-disability leave. The grantee and its contractors shall
ensure that the evaluation and treatment of their employees and applicants for
employment are free of such discrimination and harassment. The grantee and its
contractors shall comply with the provisions of the Fair Employment and Housing Act
(Government Code Section 12900 et seq.) and the applicable regulations (California
Code of Regulations, Title 2, Section 7285.0 et seq.). The regulations of the Fair
Employment and Housing Commission regarding Contractor Nondiscrimination and
Compliance (Chapter 5 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations),
are incorporated into this agreement. The grantee and its contractors shall give written
notice of their obligations under this clause to labor organizations with which they have a
collective bargaining or other agreement. This nondiscrimination clause shall be
included in all contracts and subcontracts entered into to perforin work provided for
under this agreement.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION CATALOG ENTRY
The grantee shall prepare and submit an on-line computer catalog entry to the California
Environmental Information Catalog ("CEIC") for all geographic information products
and reports which characterize site specific conditions with regard to vegetation, wildlife
populations, species occurrences and other measures of biological diversity,
environmental and ecological condition. The CEIC is available on the Internet at
http://gis.ca.goV/catalog/contribl.html. Where possible, electronic information should be
supplied in Federal Geographic Data Committee metadata format. However, if the
Executive Officer directs that certain information should not be disclosed, the grantee
shall not include that information in the entry.
INDEPENDENT CAPACITY
The grantee, and the agents and employees of the grantee, in the performance of this
agreement, shall act in an independent capacity and not as officers or employees or
agents of the State of California.
ASSIGNMENT
Without the written consent of the Executive Officer, this agreement is not assignable by
the grantee in whole or in part.
Contra Costa County
Grant Agreement No. 06-131
Page I 1
TIMELINESS.
Time is of the essence in this agreement.
EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S DESIGNEE
The Executive Officer shall designate a Conservancy project manager who shall have
authority to act on behalf of the Executive Officer with respect to this agreement. The
Executive Officer shall notify the grantee.of the designation in writing.
AMENDMENT
Except as expressly provided in this agreement, no change in this agreement shall be
valid unless made in writing and signed by the parties to the agreement. No oral
understanding or agreement not incorporated in this agreement shall be binding on any of
the parties.
LOCUS
This agreement is deemed to be entered into in the County of Alameda.
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COASTAL CONSERVANCY
Staff Recommendation
May 24, 2007
Contra Costa County Historical Ecology Project
File No. 07-028
Project Manager: Abe Doherty
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Authorization to disburse up to $150,000 to Contra Costa
County to assist the Community Development Department in planning for the restoration,
enhancement and protection of habitats and watersheds in Contra Costa County, through the
Contra Costa County Historical Ecology Project
LOCATION: Contra Costa County
PROGRAM CATEGORY: San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy
EXHIBITS
Exhibit 1: Project Location and'Site Map
Exhibit 2: Protected Lands in Contra Costa County
Exhibit 3: East Contra Costa County HCP/NCCP Focus Area
Exhibit 4: Letters of Support
RESOLUTION AND FINDINGS:
Staff recommends that the State Coastal Conservancy adopt the following resolution pursuant to
Sections 31000 et seq. of the Public Resources Code:
The State Coastal Conservancy hereby authorizes the disbursement of up to one hundredfifty
thousand dollars ($150,000) to Contra Costa County to conduct planning and documentation of
the historical ecology of Contra Costa County. This authorization is subject to the condition that
prior to the disbursement of any of these funds, Contra Costa County shall submit for the review
and approval of the Executive Officer of the Conservancy a work program, budget and schedule,
and the names and qualifications of any subcontractors that it intends to employ."
Staff further recommends that the Conservancy adopt the following findings:
"Based on the accompanying staff report and attached exhibits, the State Coastal Conservancy
hereby finds that:
Page 1 of 7
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY HISTORICAL ECOLOGY PROJECT
1. The proposed project is consistent with Public Resources Code Sections 31160-31164
regarding the Conservancy's mandate to address the resource goals of the San Francisco Bay
Area; and
2. The proposed project is consistent with the Project Selection Criteria and Guidelines adopted
by the Conservancy on January 4, 2001."
PROJECT SUMMARY:
This proposed authorization of $150,000 to Contra Costa County will enable. the County
Community Development Department to implement a historical ecology project. This project
will provide information on the distribution, type and size of habitats found in Contra Costa
County (Exhibit 2) over the past approximately 150 years in order to .guide the implementation
of habitat and watershed protection, restoration and enhancement projects in this area. This
historical ecology project will result in maps and documents describing how habitat patterns and
their controlling physical processes have been altered in this area, which will be used to guide
the design and implementation of locally appropriate habitat protection, restoration and
enhancement projects.
This historical ecology information is critical at this time, since it will support the
implementation of the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural
Communities Conservation Plan (HCP/NCCP). The HCP/NCCP calls for the expenditure of up
to $350 million from a variety of public and private sources to acquire and conserve
approximately 30,000 acres in eastern Contra Costa County for 28 rare, threatened and
endangered species, including the San Joaquin kit fox, Alameda whipsnake, California red-
legged frog and California tiger salamander. The HCP/NCCP would establish a coordinated
process for permitting and mitigating the incidental take of endangered species and contributes to
the recovery of the species. This process would create an alternative to the current project-by-
project approach, which.often results in fragmentation of habitat.
The historical ecology project will also be used for the design of individual watershed restoration
projects; it will provide information on the historic locations of stream channels, types of habitat
and hydrologic connections. This information will help to ensure that the restoration designs and . .
goals are locally appropriate and based on specific habitats previously present in the area. The
Contra Costa County Flood Control District intends to implement restoration projects along
Marsh Creek and Walnut Creek and will use the historical information to guide the design of
these projects. Historical information on Mount Diablo Creek will assist in the Concord Naval
Weapon Station reuse planning, since Mount Diablo Creek bisects this former naval weapon
station and there is an active planning process to determine the future use of this approximately
5,000 acre area.
This historical ecology project has been identified as a primary focus for collaboration by the
Contra Costa Watershed.Forum, a very successful countywide partnership of watershed groups,
government agencies and other interested groups and citizens that coordinate on creek and
watershed.issues and pursue joint projects related to maintaining creek and watershed health:
The members of the Contra Costa Watershed Forum intend to use the maps and reports that will
be generated by the historical ecology project to improve design of specific projects and to
conduct outreach on the historical conditions of the creeks and watersheds. A presentation on
Page 2 of 7
CONTRA COSTA COUNT}'HISTORICAL ECOLOGY PROJECT
initial research on the historical ecology of creeks in the County generated significant enthusiasm
and interest in acquiring more knowledge of the historical conditions. The members of the
Contra Costa Watershed Forum anticipate that the historical ecology project will foster greater
awareness.of creek and watershed issues and interest in implementing projects to improve the
functioning of creeks and watersheds in their area.
The historical ecology project will include research, reporting and mapping for the entire County
and more detailed analysis, reporting and mapping for the East County (see Exhibits 1-3 for
maps showing the County and East County focus area). For the entire County, the historical
ecology project will include historical data collection, bibliographic database development, data
compilation and georectification (to align historic maps and aerial imagery with current known
locations and .longitude/latitude). Primary sources of information for the data collection will
include Mexican Rancho maps from the 1840s and 1850s, early aerial photographs and other
records from historical societies and city and county archives. Using the results of this data-
gathering and analysis, public outreach materials will be developed and distributed, including at
the Contra Costa Watershed Forum and the Contra Costa County Creek and Watershed
Symposium in the fall of 2007. For the East County, the project will additionally provide
Geographic Information System (GIS) synthesis to create GIS datalayers of historical
landscapes, analysis to assess and illustrate historical ecological and hydrogeomorphic patterns
and changes and detailed reporting of the findings and resources. Future phases of the project
may provide similar detailed synthesis and analysis for the rest of the County.
Project products will include a number of valuable georeferenced.data sets and GIS layers that
can be used by local groups.involved in conservation, and a widely applicable report applying
historical ecology findings to local conservation. The report will be well designed to support
current conservation activities and concerns.
The Contra Costa County Community Development Department plays a lead role in organizing
and supporting the Contra Costa Watershed Forum, which is viewed throughout the Bay Area as
a model for watershed collaboration and communication. Past projects of the Forum include the
Contra Costa County Watershed Atlas, the Contra Costa County Volunteer Creek Monitoring
Program, the Countywide Creek and Watershed Signage effort, and periodic public workshops
and symposia. The Contra Costa County Community Development Department will play a key
role in ensuring that the historical ecology project is developed in a manner that will most
directly support the design and implementation of habitat protection, restoration and
enhancement projects in the county.
Site Description:
Contra Costa County has an area of approximately 456,000 acres and the area in East County
which is covered by the HCP/NCCP is approximately 175,000 acres. The East Contra Costa
County HCP/NCCP area contains habitat for 28 rare, threatened and endangered species,
including the San Joaquin kit fox, Alameda whipsnake, California red-legged frog and California
tiger salamander.
The population of Contra Costa County was estimated to be 1,018,00 in 2005 and is predicted to
increase by 127,000 by 2025. A significant portion of this growth is expected to occur in East
Contra Costa County, leading to potential conflicts between the need for housing and protection
of endangered species and open space. The East Contra Costa County HCP/NCCP seeks to
Page 3 of 7
g r.::
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY HISTORICAL ECOLOGY PROJECT
minimize this conflict by establishing a coordinated, regional approach toconservation and
regulation. The HCP/NCCP is designed to protect natural habitats and minimize impacts from
development while streamlining the regulatory process. One of the goals of the HCP/NCCP is to
purchase, restore and permanently protect large, interconnected and biologically rich blocks of
habitat. The.HCP/NCCP is designed to result in,a Preserve System of 23,800-30,300 acres of
protected habitats.
Project History:
The Conservancy has provided funding for many acquisitions in Contra Costa County,including
the Mangini, Fernandez, Cowell, Silva and Dutra properties. Information developed from the
historical ecology project will be helpful in planning enhancement and restoration of habitats on
these properties.
PROJECT FINANCING:
Coastal Conservancy $150,000
Contra Costa Flood Control District $100,000
Department of Fish and Game $40,000
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, CVPIA Funds (pending) $100,000
Total Project Cost $390,000
It is anticipated that the Conservancy's funding will come from appropriations for the San
Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program from the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe
Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Fund (Proposition 40). These funds can be used for
acquisition, development, restoration and protection of land and water resources (including their
identification, evaluation, documentation and interpretation)pursuant to Chapter 4.5 of Division
21 of the Public Resources Code. Use of Proposition 40 funds for the historical ecology.project
is consistent with the purpose of this funding source, since the project will support planning and
design of habitat protection, acquisition, restoration and enhancement projects in Contra Costa
County.
CONSISTENCY WITH CONSERVANCY'S ENABLING LEGISLATION:
This project would be undertaken pursuant to Chapter 4.5 of the Conservancy's enabling legislation,
Public Resources Code Sections 31160-31163, to address resource goals in the San Francisco Bay
Area. The project area is all of Contra Costa County,which is one of nine counties which make up-
the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program, as described in Section 31162
of the Conservancy's enabling legislation.
Under Section 31162(b), the Conservancy may undertake projects and award grants to achieve the
goal of protecting, restoring and enhancing natural habitats and connecting corridors, watersheds,
scenic areas, and other open-space resources of regional importance. This project helps to achieve
this goal by providing historical information and analysis to assist in the design and planning of
habitat protection, restoration and enhancement projects. The project will especially support the
implementation of the East Contra Costa County HCP/NCCP, which is designed to improve the
protection of habitat for 28 rare, threatened and endangered species, including the San Joaquin kit
fox, Alameda whipsnake, California red-legged frog and California tiger salamander.
By providing a grant to fund this project, the Conservancy is also achieving the goal set forth in
Section 31162(c), to assist in the implementation of the adopted plans of local government and
Page 4 of 7
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY HISTORICAL ECOLOGY PROJECT
special districts. This project will assist in the implementation of the East Contra Costa County
Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Communities Conservation Plan, which has been adopted by
Contra Costa County, the East Bay Regional Park District, and the Cities of Brentwood, Clayton
and Oakley. The plan is also pending adoption by the City of Pittsburg, the California
Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which will consider it in
April 2007.
Consistent with Section 31163(c), the historical ecology project is a priority since it serves a
regional constituency, can be implemented in a timely way,provides opportunities for benefits that
could be lost if the project is not quickly implemented and includes matching funds from other
sources, as described in the"Consistency with Conservancy's Project Selection Criteria and
Guidelines" section of this staff recommendation.
CONSISTENCY WITH CONSERVANCY'S
STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL(S) & OBJECTIVE(S):
Consistent with Goal 10, Objective B of the Conservancy's Strategic Plan, the proposed project
will help the Conservancy and others develop plans for protection, restoration and enhancement
of natural habitats, connecting corridors and watersheds for 30,000 acres in East Contra Costa
County and for 409 miles of streams within the area of the East Contra Costa County Habitat
Conservation Plan/Natural Communities Conservation Plan.
CONSISTENCY WITH CONSERVANCY'S
PROJECT SELECTION CRITERIA & GUIDELINES:
The proposed project is consistent with the Conservancy's Project Selection Criteria and
Guidelines adopted January 24, 2001, in the following respects:
Required Criteria
1. Promotion of the Conservancy's statutory programs and purposes: See the "Consistency
with Conservancy's Enabling Legislation" section above.
.2. Consistency with purposes of the funding source: See the "Project Financing" section
above.
3. Support of the public: This project is supported by Senator Tom Torlakson,
Assemblymember Loni Hancock, Assemblymember Mark DeSaulnier, the U.S. Tish and
Wildlife Service, the Contra Costa Flood Control and Water Conservation District, the
Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, the San Francisco Estuary Institute, the
Watershed Project, the Urban Creeks Council of California, the Natural Heritage Institute,
Friends of Alhambra Creek and Friends of Marsh Creek. Refer to Exhibit 4 for letters of
support for this project.
4. Location: This project encompasses all of Contra Costa County, which is located entirely
within the San Francisco Bay Area, consistent with Section 31162 of the Public Resources
Code.
5. Need: The project will not occur without Conservancy funding and is necessary to support
the implementation of the East Contra Costa County HCP/NCCP, which will improve the
protection and restoration of habitats of protected species.
Page 5 of 7
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY HISTORICAL ECOLOGY PROJECT
6. Greater-than-local interest: In creating the San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program,
the legislature identified San Francisco Bay as the central feature in an interconnected open-
space system of watersheds, natural habitats, scenic areas, agricultural lands and regional
trails of statewide importance. In Public Resources Code Section 31162(b), the legislature
identified one of the goals of the San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy as protecting,
restoring and enhancing natural habitats and connecting corridors, watersheds, scenic areas, and
other open-space resources of regional importance. This project will help guide the design of
protection, restoration and enhancement projects in Contra Costa County. In addition, the
project's support for the implementation.of the East Contra Costa County HCP/NCCP
represents a greater-than-local interest, since the HCP/NCCP is designed to protect habitats
for 28 rare, threatened and endangered species.
Additional Criteria
7. Urgency: It is important that the historical ecology project happen now, to provide
information to support implementation of the recently adopted East Contra Costa
HCP/NCCP, which is designed to protect habitat for 28 rare, threatened and endangered
species, in an area with significant development pressure.
8. Leverage: See the "Project Financing" section above.
9. Conflict resolution: This project will help guide implementation of the East Contra Costa
County HCP/NCCP, which seeks to minimize conflicts between development pressures and
rare species habitat by establishing a coordinated, regional approach to conservation and
regulation.
10. Innovation: Historical Ecology is a relatively new field and is becoming a valuable tool for
conservation efforts. in the region. By providing information on the actual habitats, species
assemblages and hydrologic regimes that existed historically, this project will support the
development of restoration projects with more locally appropriate designs.
11. Readiness: The Contra Costa County Community' Development Department is eager to
begin this project as soon as possible, in order to have preliminary results for the Contra
Costa County Creek and Watershed Symposium in November 2007 and to help guide the
expenditure of funds to implement the newly adopted HCP/NCCP.
12. Realization of prior Conservancy goals: This project will support the Bay Area Upland
Goals Project, which the Conservancy is funding. The project will also generate information
that could be used to help guide enhancement and restoration on the many acquisition
projects that the Conservancy has previously funded in Contra Costa County.
. 13. Cooperation:. The Contra Costa Watershed Forum has identified the Historical Ecology
study as a primary focus for collaboration in the near future. The Contra Costa Watershed
Forum is a countywide partnership of watershed groups, government agencies and other
interested groups and citizens that coordinate on creek and watershed issues and pursue joint
projects related to maintaining creek and watershed health.
CONSISTENCY WITH ADOPTED PLANS:
The Historical Ecology project is consistent with and supports the implementation of the East
Contra Costa County HCP/NCCP, which has been adopted by Contra Costa County, the East.
Page 6 of 7
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY HISTORICAL ECOLOGY PROJECT
Bay Regional Park District, and the Cities of Pittsburg, Brentwood, Clayton and Oakley. The
plan is also pending adoption by the California Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service
COMPLIANCE WITH CEQA:
The proposed project is statutorily exempt from review under the California Environmental
Quality Act pursuant to 14 California Code of Regulations Section 15262, in that it would
involve only planning studies and feasibility analyses for possible future action not.yet adopted
by the Conservancy. Preparation of the historical ecology study does not legally bind the
Conservancy to future implementation of protection, restoration or enhancement projects that are
designed using the historical ecology study. The project is also categorically exempt .under
Section 15306, which exempts basic data collection and resource evaluation activities leading to
an action which the Conservancy has not yet approved, adopted, or funded. Upon approval, staff
will file a Notice of Exemption for this project
Page 7 of 7
Coastal Conservancy Project Manager Training
1. Coastal Conservancy Grant Management 1.01 (1 day)
Introduction to SCC Sam
• Mission and Strategic plan
• Governance
• Funding
Project Inquiry to Board Approval —Overview of the process Reg. Mgr
• Project definition— SCC role
Reservation of Funds— Staff Rec
Project Database
Grant Agreements Glenn
• Process for finalizing agmt
• Types of Agmts
Conditions Precedent (board resolutions, etc.)
• What's negotiable? and what isn't
Workplans and Conditions Precedent Ann
• What makes a good workplan, budget & schedule (samples)
• Administrative charges, overhead
• Sign Plans
Invoices Erlinda
• Guidance for Grantees
• Common Mistakes in Invoices
2. Hiring Contractors (1/2 day)
Project manager perspective Amy
• Contractor Database
• RFS process, interviewing
• Workplans and Working with Contractors
Legal perspective Jack
Environmental Services Contracts
Dept of General Services processes
3. Acquisitions (1/2 day)
Appraisal through Escrow Dick & Marcia
4. CEQA (1/2 day)
Updated version of the '01 training Elena
To be set up separately &/or out-sourced...
1. Environmental Due Diligence (2hrs)
2.' Meeting Management— Facilitation (1/2 day)
COASTAL CONSERVANCY
Staff Recommendation
May 24, 2007
Contra Costa County Historical Ecology Project
File No. 07-028
Project Manager: Abe Doherty
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Authorization. to disburse up to $150,000 to Contra Costa
County to assist the Community Development Department in planning for the restoration,
enhancement and protection of habitats and watersheds in Contra Costa County, through the
Contra Costa County Historical Ecology Project
LOCATION: Contra Costa County
PROGRAM CATEGORY: San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy
EXHIBITS
Exhibit 1: Project Location and Site Map
Exhibit 2: Protected Lands in Contra Costa County
Exhibit 3: East Contra Costa County HCP/NCCP Focus Area
Exhibit* Letters of Support
RESOLUTION AND FINDINGS:
Staff recommends that the State Coastal Conservancy adopt the following resolution pursuant to
Sections 31000 et seq. of the Public Resources Code:
"The State Coastal Conservancy hereby authorizes the disbursement of up to one hundredfifty
thousand dollars ($150,000) to Contra Costa County to conduct planning and documentation of
the historical ecology of Contra Costa County. This authorization is subject to the condition that
prior to the disbursement of any of these funds, Contra Costa County shall submit for the review
and approval of the Executive Officer of the Conservancy a work program, budget and schedule,
and the names and qualifications of any subcontractors that it intends to employ."
Staff further recommends that the Conservancy adopt the following findings:
"Based on the accompanying staff report and attached exhibits, the State Coastal Conservancy
hereby finds that:
Page 1 of 7 �.
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY HISTORICAL ECOLOGY PROJECT
1. The proposed project is consistent with Public Resources Code Sections 31160-31164
regarding the Conservancy's mandate to address the resource goals of the San Francisco Bay
Area; and
2. The proposed project is consistent with the Project Selection Criteria and Guidelines adopted
by the Conservancy on January 4, 2001."
PROJECT SUMMARY:
This proposed authorization of $150,000 to Contra Costa County will enable the County
Community Development Department to implement a historical ecology project. This project
will provide information on the distribution, type and size of habitats found in Contra Costa
County (Exhibit 2) over the past approximately 150 years in order to guide the implementation
of habitat and watershed protection, restoration and enhancement projects in this area. This
historical ecology project will result in maps and documents describing how habitat patterns and
their controlling physical processes have been altered in this area, which will be used to guide
the design and implementation of locally appropriate habitat protection, restoration and
enhancement projects.
This historical. ecology information is critical at this time, since it will support the
implementation of the East Contra . Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural
Communities Conservation Plan (HCP/NCCP). The HCP/NCCP calls for the expenditure of up
to $350 million from a variety of public and private sources to acquire and conserve
approximately 30,000 acres in eastern Contra Costa County for 28 rare, threatened and
endangered species, including the San Joaquin kit fox, Alameda whipsnake, California red-
legged frog and California tiger salamander. The HCP/NCCP would establish a coordinated
process for permitting and mitigating the incidental take of endangered species and contributes to
the recovery of the species. This process would create an alternative to the current project-by-
project approach, which often results in fragmentation of habitat.
The historical ecology project will also be used for the design of individual watershed restoration
projects; it will provide information on the historic locations of stream channels, types of habitat
and hydrologic connections. This information will help to ensure that the restoration designs and
goals are locally appropriate and based on specific habitats previously present in the area. The ,
Contra Costa ,County Flood Control District intends to implement restoration projects along
Marsh Creek and Walnut Creek and will use the historical information to guide the design of
these projects. Historical information on Mount Diablo Creek will assist in the Concord Naval
Weapon Station reuse planning, since Mount Diablo.Creek bisects this former naval weapon
station and there is an active planning process to determine the future use of this approximately
"5,000 acre area.
This historical ecology project has been identified as a primary focus for collaboration by the
Contra Costa Watershed Forum, a very successful countywide partnership of watershed groups,
government agencies and other interested groups and citizens that coordinate on creek and
watershed issues and pursue joint projects related to maintaining creek and watershed health.
The members of the Contra Costa Watershed Forum intend to use the maps and reports that will
be generated by the historical ecology project to improve design of specific projects and to
conduct outreach on the historical conditions of the creeks and watersheds. A presentation on
Page 2 of 7
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY HISTORICAL ECOLOGY PROJECT
initial research on the historical ecology of creeks in the County generated significant enthusiasm
and interest in acquiring more knowledge of the historical conditions. The members of the
Contra Costa Watershed Forum anticipate that the historical ecology project will foster greater
awareness of creek and watershed issues and interest in implementing projects to improve the
functioning of creeks and watersheds in their area.
The historical ecology project will include research, reporting and mapping for the entire County
and more detailed analysis, reporting and mapping for the East County (see Exhibits 1-3 for
maps showing-the County and East County focus area). For the entire County, the historical
ecology project will include historical data collection, bibliographic database development, data
compilation and georectification (to align historic maps and aerial imagery with current known
locations and longitude/latitude). Primary sources of information for the data collection will
include Mexican Rancho maps from the 1840s and 1850s, early aerial photographs and other
records from historical societies and city and county archives. Using the results of this data-
gathering and analysis, public outreach materials will be developed and distributed, including at
the Contra Costa Watershed Forum and the Contra Costa .County Creek and Watershed
Symposium in the fall of 2007. For the East County, the project will additionally provide
Geographic Information System (GIS) synthesis to create GIS datalayers of historical
landscapes, analysis to assess and illustrate historical ecological and hydrogeomorphic patterns
and changes and detailed reporting of the findings and resources. Future phases of the project
may provide similar detailed synthesis and analysis for the rest of the County.
Project products will include a number of valuable georeferenced data sets and GIS layers that.
can be used by local groups..involved in conservation, and a widely applicable report applying
historical ecology findings to local conservation. The report will be well designed to support
current conservation activities and concerns.
The Contra Costa County Community Development Department.plays a lead role in organizing
and supporting the Contra Costa Watershed Forum, which is viewed throughout the Bay Area as
a model for watershed collaboration and communication. Past projects of the Forum include the
Contra Costa County Watershed Atlas, the Contra Costa County Volunteer Creek Monitoring
Program, the Countywide Creek and Watershed Signage effort, and periodic public workshops
and symposia. The Contra Costa County Community Development Department will play a key
role in ensuring that the historical ecology project is developed in a manner that will most
directly support the design and implementation of habitat protection, restoration and
enhancement projects in the county.
Site Description:
Contra Costa County has an area of approximately 456,000 acres and the area in East County
which is covered by the HCP/NCCP is approximately 175,000 acres. The East Contra Costa
County HCP/NCCP area contains habitat for 28 rare, threatened and endangered species,
including the San Joaquin kit fox, Alameda whipsnake, California red-legged frog and California
tiger salamander.
The population of Contra Costa County was estimated to be 1,018,00.in 2005 and is predicted to
increase by 127,000 by 2025. A significant portion of this growth is expected to occur in East
Contra Costa County, leading to potential conflicts between the need for housing and protection.
of endangered species and open space. The East Contra Costa County HCP/NCCP seeks to
Page 3 of 7
CONTRA COSTA COUNT]'HISTORICAL ECOLOGl'PROJECT
minimize this conflict by establishing a coordinated, regional approach to conservation and
regulation. The HCP/NCCP is designed to protect natural habitats and minimize impacts from
development while streamlining the regulatory process. One of the goals of the HCP/NCCP is to
purchase, restore and permanently protect large, interconnected and biologically rich blocks of
habitat. The HCP/NCCP is designed to result in a Preserve System of 23,800-30,300 acres of
protected habitats.
Project History:
The Conservancy has provided funding for many acquisitions in Contra Costa County,including
the Mangim, Fernandez, Cowell, Silva and Dutra properties. Information developed from the
historical ecology project will be helpful in planning enhancement and restoration of habitats on
these properties.
PROJECT FINANCING:
Coastal Conservancy $150,000
Contra Costa Flood Control District $100,000
Department of Fish and Game $40,000 .
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, CVPIA Funds (pending) $100,000
Total Project Cost $390,000
It is anticipated that the Conservancy's funding will come from appropriations for the San
Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program from the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe
Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Fund (Proposition 40). These funds can be used for
acquisition, development, restoration and protection of land and water resources (including their
identification, evaluation, documentation and interpretation)pursuant to Chapter 4.5 of Division
21 of the Public Resources Code. Use of Proposition 40 funds for the historical ecology project
is consistent with the purpose of this funding source, since the project will support planning and
design of habitat protection, acquisition, restoration and enhancement projects in Contra Costa
County.
CONSISTENCY WITH CONSERVANCY'S ENABLING LEGISLATION:
This project would be undertaken pursuant to Chapter 4.5 of the Conservancy's enabling legislation,
Public Resources Code Sections 31160-31163,to address resource goals in the San Francisco Bay
Area. The project area is all of Contra Costa County, which is one of nine counties which make up
the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program, as described in Section 31162
of the Conservancy's enabling legislation.
Under Section 31162(b), the Conservancy may undertake projects and award grants to.achieve the
goal of protecting, restoring and enhancing natural habitats and connecting corridors, watersheds,
scenic areas, and other open-space resources of regional importance. This project helps to.achieve
this goal by providing historical information and analysis to assist in the design and planning of
habitat protection, restoration and enhancement projects. The project will especially support the
implementation of the East Contra Costa County HCP/NCCP, which is designed to improve the
protection of habitat for 28 rare, threatened and endangered species, including the San Joaquin kit
fox, Alameda whipsnake, California red-legged frog and California tiger salamander.
By providing a grant to fund this project, the Conservancy is also achieving the goal set forth in
Section 31162(c), to assist in the implementation of the adopted plans of local government and
Page 4 of 7
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CONTRA COSTA COUNTY HISTORICAL ECOLOGY PROJECT
special districts. This project will assist in the implementation of the East Contra Costa County
Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Communities Conservation Plan, which has been adopted by
Contra Costa County, the East Bay Regional Park District, and the Cities of Brentwood, Clayton
and Oakley. The plan is also pending adoption by the City of Pittsburg, the California
Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which will consider it in
April 2007.
Consistent with Section 31163(c), the historical ecology project is a priority since it serves a
regional constituency, can be implemented in a timely way,provides opportunities for benefits that
could be lost if the project is not quickly implemented and includes matching funds from other
sources, as described in the"Consistency with Conservancy's Project Selection Criteria and
Guidelines"section of this staff recommendation.
CONSISTENCY WITH CONSERVANCY'S
STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL(S) & OBJECTIVE(S):
Consistent with Goal 10, Objective B of the Conservancy's Strategic Plan, the proposed project
will help the Conservancy and others develop plans for protection, restoration and enhancement
of natural habitats, connecting corridors and watersheds for 30,000 acres in East Contra Costa
County and for 409 miles of streams within the area of the East Contra Costa County Habitat
Conservation Plan/Natural Communities Conservation Plan.
CONSISTENCY WITH CONSERVANCY'S
PROJECT.SELECTION CRITERIA & GUIDELINES:
The proposed project is consistent with the Conservancy's Project Selection Criteria and
Guidelines adopted January 24, 2001, in the following respects:
Required Criteria
1. Promotion of the Conservancy's statutory programs and purposes: See the "Consistency
with Conservancy's Enabling Legislation" section above.
2. Consistency with purposes of the funding source: See the "Project Financing'.' section
above.
3. Support of the public: This project is supported by Senator Tom Torlakson,
Assemblymember Loni Hancock, Assemblymember Mark DeSaulnier, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, the Contra Costa Flood Control and Water Conservation District, the .
Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, the San Francisco Estuary Institute, the
Watershed Project, the Urban Creeks Council of California, the Natural Heritage Institute,
Friends of Alhambra Creek and Friends of Marsh Creek. Refer to Exhibit 4 for letters of
support for this project.
4. Location: This project encompasses all of Contra Costa County, which is located entirely
within the San Francisco Bay Area, consistent with Section 31162 of the Public Resources
Code.
5. Need: The project will not occur without Conservancy funding and is necessary to support
the implementation of the East Contra Costa County HCP/NCCP, which will improve the
protection and restoration of habitats of protected species.
Page 5 of 7
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY HISTORICAL ECOLOGY PROJECT
6. Greater-than-local interest: In creating the San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program,
the legislature identified San Francisco Bay as the central feature in an interconnected open-
space system of watersheds, natural habitats, scenic areas, agricultural lands and regional
trails of statewide importance. In Public Resources Code Section 31162(b), the legislature
identified one of the goals of the San Francisco Bay. Area Conservancy as protecting,
restoring and enhancing natural habitats and connecting corridors, watersheds, scenic areas, and
other open-space resources of regional importance. This project will help guide the design of
protection, restoration and enhancement projects in Contra Costa County. In addition, the
project's support for the. implementation of the East Contra Costa County HCP/NCCP
represents a greater-than-local interest, since the HCP/NCCP is designed to protect habitats
for 28 rare, threatened and endangered species.
Additional Criteria
7. Urgency: It is important that the historical ecology project happen now, to provide .
information to support implementation of the recently adopted East Contra Costa
HCP/NCCP, which is designed to protect habitat for 28 rare, threatened and endangered
species, in an area with significant development pressure.
8. Leverage: See the"Project Financing" section above.
9. Conflict resolution: This project will.help guide implementation of the East Contra Costa
County HCP/NCCP, which seeks to minimize conflicts between development pressures and
rare species habitat by establishing a coordinated, regional approach to conservation and
regulation.
10. Innovation: Historical Ecology is a relatively new field and is becoming a valuable tool for
conservation efforts in the region. By providing information on the actual habitats, species
assemblages and hydrologic regimes that existed historically, this project will support the
development of restoration projects with more locally appropriate designs.
11. Readiness: The Contra Costa County Community Development Department is eager to
begin this project as soon as possible, in order to have preliminary results for the Contra
Costa County Creek and Watershed Symposium in November 2007 and to help guide the
expenditure of funds to implement the newly adopted HCP/NCCP.
12. Realization of prior Conservancy goals: This project will support the Bay Area Upland
Goals Project, which the Conservancy is funding. The project will also generate.information
that could be used to help guide enhancement and restoration on the many acquisition
projects that the Conservancy has previously funded in Contra Costa County.
13. Cooperation: The Contra Costa Watershed Forum has identified the Historical Ecology
study as a primary focus for collaboration in the near future. The Contra Costa Watershed
Forum is a countywide partnership of watershed groups, government agencies and other
interested groups and citizens that coordinate on creek and watershed issues and pursue joint
projects related to maintaining creek and watershed health.
CONSISTENCY WITH ADOPTED PLANS:
The Historical Ecology project is consistent with and supports the implementation of the East
Contra Costa County HCP/NCCP, which has been adopted by Contra Costa County, the East
Page 6 of 7
CONTRA COSTA COUNT}'HISTORICAL ECOLOGY PROJECT
Bay Regional Park District, and the Cities of Pittsburg; Brentwood, Clayton and Oakley. The
plan is also pending adoption by the California Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service
COMPLIANCE WITH CEQA:
The proposed project is statutorily exempt from review under the California Environmental
Quality Act pursuant to 14 California Code of Regulations Section 15262, in that it would
involve only planning studies and feasibility analyses for possible future action not yet adopted
by the Conservancy. Preparation of the historical ecology study does not legally bind the
Conservancy to future implementation of protection, restoration or enhancement projects that are
designed using the historical ecology study. The project is also categorically exempt under
Section 15306, which exempts basic data collection and resource evaluation activities.leading to
an action which the Conservancy has not yet approved, adopted, or funded. Upon approval, staff
will file a Notice of Exemption for this project
Page 7 of 7
Exhibit 1
Project Location Map Wstpwl
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EXHIBIT 4: Letters of Support
APR-10-2007 15:32 FROM:SEN TORLAKSON 9257785174 T0:9253351299 P.002/002
VAFITOL'oriRcr U17rRICT orrice
_TATE C:APrrOL.ROOM 6137 _• 2801 CONCORD DOULDVARD
SACRAMENTO CA 95914 CONCO RO.CA pap 10
TEL IU1 n)601-AO07 } } t�y� } TEL ID 251'50:•0008
FA}��P C)445-2527 (Trz Q.rn"t�I .1 1k. LiL ll' FA}10231 002.0590
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JOINT uUKQNMCNT CCM C f+
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MA.ICJNITY CAUCUS SENATTTOR - ANTIOCH CA 0,500
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CFUIR TOM TORLAKSON F..,9201 770-,Z
174 I
STANDING CO--ITTEEE SEVENTH'SENATE DISTRICT wc?T'wuNrT oATCLUTI OiMCE
APPROPRIATIONS 111 CIVIC DRIVG
kDlI(:ATION
HERCUL'C001D CA 945A7
LOCAL FOVCRNMENT TEL 18000.0000
-r RAN6PORTATION a F01151NGt 6 8 i•C
NATO R TOPLAKnON71JCN CA COV
WWW UEN CA 4Uvn ORLAK001+
SELECT fA>NM)TTCE
CALIFORNLA INFRASTRUCTURE
April 10,2007
Douglas Bosco
Chairman of the Board
California Coastal Conservancy
1330 Broadway,IILh Floor
Oakland,CA 94612
Dear Mr. Bosco: I
i
I am writing to express my support for the Historical Ecology: Conservation and Restoration �
Plartrting application submitted by Contra Costa County and the Contra Costa Watershed
Forum(CCWF) to the California Coastal Conservancy.
"he$150,000 requested would help fund a two-year effort to develop baseline historical
ecological data for Contra Costa County,as well as create a detailed report of the East i
County region.
As a former science teacher,and as the author of SB 1556 in 2006 to create the Great
California Delta Trail concept,I enthusiastically support such scientific and public !
engagement efforts and know they can create tremendous benefits for these communities. !
- i
The historical ecology project will build on efforts in Contra Costa County to engage the
public on creek and watershed issues and improve open space habitat and watershed
health.Specifically, this project will identify restoration and conservation opportunities,
identify historical location of key habitats (including those critical for special status species),
engage stakeholders throughout Contra Costa County, and educate the public about natural
resources and history of the region.
In addition to producing useful.datasets and reports for resource managers, this proposal
would also.harness public interest and involvement and help direct the public to contribute
to protecting the health of creeks and watersheds around the CaliforniaDelta Region,
Thank you for your consideration of this important proposal. Please contact my office: at
(925)602-6593 if you have any questions about my support for this project.
Sincerely,
I�vt.rra�
Toon To.rlakson
,i
Page 1 of 16 ° ` '
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EXHIBIT 4: Letters of Support
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L o n i Hancock ASSEMBLYWOMAN,FOURTEEN" D?S7pICT3 Fr'1 17
COMMITTEES:
f NATURAL RESOURCES,CHAIR j
April 2, 2007i U.', i [;:1:;l ( i_P I BUDGET,
HEALTH 8 HUMAN SERVICES
Douglas Bosco Chairman of the Board EDUCATION
g � HOUSING 8 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
California Coastal Conservancy i
1330 Broadway, I I"'Floor
Oakland, CA 94612 j
Attn: Abe Doherty
i
Dear Mr. Bosco:
I
I�
I am writing to express my support for the proposal submitted to the California Coastal
Conservancy by Contra Costa County and the Contra Costa Watershed Form (CCWF):
Historical Ecology: Conservation and Restoration.Planning. Contra Costa County and the
CCWF are applying for.$150,000 to help fund a two-year effort to develop baseline
historical ecological data countywide as well as create a detailed report on the east county
resion.
y I
The historical ecology project will build on efforts in Contra Costa County to engage the
public on creek and watershed issues and improve open space habitat and watershed
health.
It is my understanding that this project will:
• Identify restoration and conservation opportunities;
• Identify historical location of key habitats (including those critical for special status
species);
• Engage stakeholders throughout Contra Costa County; and
• Educate the public about natural resourcesand history of the region.
The historical ecology project would produce useful datasets and reports for resource
management. It would also serve as important tool for harnessing the growing.public
interest and involvement about environmental restoration and conservation and direct it
toward meaningful actions that contribute to protecting the health of watersheds,creeks
and the San Francisco Bay.
Thank you for your consideration of this grant request.
Sincerely,
LONIHANCOCK
Assemblywoman
Ih/tw
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE • P.O.BOX 942849 SACRAMENTO,CA 94249-0014 • (916)319-2014 FAX(916)319-2114
DISTRICT OFFICE • 712 EL CERRITO PLAZA • EL CERRITO,CA 94530 • (510)559-1406.• FAX(510)559.1478
Prinleo on Recycled Paper •AM—
Pake 2 of 16
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EXHIBIT 4: Letters of Support
STATE CAPITOL a COMMITTEES
P.O.BOX 942849 �y fj��m ��j RULES
SACRAMENTO,CA 94249-0011 �"- Y•� TRANSPORTATION
(916)319-2011 `.�-_ f"' APPROPRIATIONS
FAX(916)319-2111 UA�tIII�TCIS .. i$� u � LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
DISTRICT OFFICE L HUMAN SERVICES
815 ESTUDILLO STREET
MARTINEZ,CA 94553
K
(925)372-7990
FAX(925)372-0934
MARK:DESAUINIER
AS$EMBLYIVIEMOER,ELEVENTH DISTRICT 1
I.
I.
Douglas Bosco, Chairman of the Board
California Coastal Conservancy I
1330 Broadway, l l Ih Floor
Oakland, CA_94612
Attn: Abe Doherty
April 5, 2007
Dear Mr. Bosco:
I am writing to express my support for the proposal submitted to the California Coastal
Conservancy by Contra Costa County and the Contra Costa Watershed Forum (CCWF):
Historical Ecologv: Conservation and Restoration Planning.The County and the CCWF are
applying for$150,000 to help fund a two-year effort to develop baseline historical ecological
data countywide as well as create a detailed report on the east county region.
i
The historical ecology project will build on efforts in Contra Costa County to engage the
public on creek and watershed issues and improve open space habitat and watershed health. I
This project will:
o Identify restoration and conservation opportunities
c Identify historical location of key habitats (including those critical for
special status species)
o Design ecologically sustainable and successful restoration
C Understand past resource management that has impacted current
watershed and habitat integrity
o Engage stakeholders '
o Educate the public about natural resources and history of the region
The historical ecology project would not only produce useful datasets and reports for
resource managers, but also would harness the public interest and involvement that has been
growing around environmental restoration and conservation issues and direct it toward
meaningful actions that contribute to protecting the health of creeks and watersheds and the
San Francisco Bay—Delta. .
Thank you for your consideration of this much-needed grant.
Sincerely,
Mark DeSaulnier
Printed on Recycled Paper
i
Page 3 of 16
EXHIBIT 4: Letters of Support
The Board of Supervisors Contra John Cullen
County Administration Building Costa Clerk of the Board.
651 Pine Street,Room 106 and
Martinez,California 94553-1293County
O �� Co(925)335-1900 Administrator
John Glola,list District ,
Gayle B.Uilkema,2nd District
Mary N.Plepho,3rd District
Susan A.Bonilla,4th District
Federal D.Glover,5th District
r
April 10, 2007
I
Douglas Bosco
Chairman of the Board
California Coastal Conservancy
1330 Broadway, 11 th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612 li
Attn: Abe Doherty
- j.
Dear Mr. Bosco:
f
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors supports the proposal submitted to the
California Coastal Conservancy,Historical Ecolog3!• Conservation and Restoration
Planning. The County is collaborating with the Contra Costa Watershed Forum and the. i
San Francisco Estuary Institute in applying for$150,000 to help fund a two-year.effort to
develop baseline historical ecological data countywide as well as create a detailed report
on the east county region.
The historical ecology project will build on efforts in Contra Costa County to engage the
public on creek and watershed issues and identify opportunities for effective restoration. i
In addition,the project can inform resource management actions associated with the East
Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan.
The historical ecology project would not only produce useful datasets and reports for
resource managers,but also would harness the public interest and involvement that has
been growing around environmental restoration and conservation issues and direct it
toward meaningful actions that contribute to protecting the health of creeks and
watersheds and the San Francisco Bay—Delta.
Thank:you for your consideration of this grant proposal
Since ly,
M iepho, Chair
Contra Costa County
Board of Supervisors
EXHIBIT 4: Letters of Support
NT f F TyF
QP �y risme a w'Lol.1rr
Cm srnvu-r.
United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
�acH a 1� Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office
2800 Cottage Way,Room W-2605
Sacramento,California 95825-1846
In reply refer to:
1-1-07-CP-0864
Mr. Douglas Bosco
Chairman of the Board
California Coastal Conservancy
1330 Broadway, 11d'Floor
Oakland, California .94612
Subject: Grant Application for the Historical Ecology: Conservation and
Restoration Planning
Dear Mr. Bosco:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service(Service)has been working with the East Contra Costa
County Habitat Conservation Plan Association for the past five years to develop a Habitat
Conservation Plan(HCP)in accordance with the Endangered Species Act of 1973,as amended
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (Act). The HCP will provide for the conservation of Covered Species
which includes eight federally listed species and 20.species that are currently unlisted,but may
become listed in the future. The Service published a Notice of Availability.of the Final
Environmental Impact Statement for the issuance of a 30-year Section 10(a)(1)(B)incidental take
permit(permit)on March 9, 2007. The comment period closes April 9,2007. The Service
anticipates issuing a permit shortly after that date.
The Service is writing this letter in support of the proposal submitted to the California Coastal
Conservancy by Contra Costa County(County) and the Contra Costa Watershed Forum:
Historical Ecology: Conservation and Restoration Planning. We understand that the applicants
are applying for$150,000 to help fund a two-year effort to develop baseline historical ecological
data for the entire County as well as create a detailed report on the area covered by the HCP.
This historical ecology project will create an important resource for implementing the goals for
the protection and recovery of the Covered Species in east County. Implementation of the HCP
will create,preserve, and restore habitat on approximately 30,000 acres in east County for the
benefit of Covered Species. One of the greatest challenges.to the successful restoration of habitat
is to know what habitat types were there previously and restore those areas appropriately. This
TAKE FRIDE1
INAMEF _A_ �„� ;
Page 5 of 16
EXHIBIT 4: Letters of Support
Mr.Douglas Bosco 2
historical ecology study will provide that information and will have an immediate application in
the HCP area.
If you have questions regarding this letter, please contact Shelia Larsen, Conservation Planning
Branch, at(916)414-6685.
Sincerely,
n Cay C. Goude
Assistant Field Supervisor
Poze 6 of 16
EXHIBIT 4: Letters of Support
�J=COM`�~
Contra Costa County Maurice M. Shlu
ex officio Chief Engineer
FLOOD CONTROL 255 Glacier Drive, Martinez,CA 94553-4825
& Water Conservation District Telephone: (925) 313-2000
FAX(925)313-2333
March 27,2007
Douglas Bosco, Chairman of the Board
California Coastal Conservancy
1330 Broadway, 1 Ith Flood
Oakland, California 94612
Attn: Abe Doherty
Dear Mr. Bosco:
I am writing to express my support for the proposal submitted to the California Coastal
Conservancy by Contra Costa County and the Contra Costa Watershed Forum (CCWF):
Historical Ecology.-Conservation and Restoration Planning. The County and the CCWF are
applying for$150.000 to help fund a two-year effort to develop baseline historical ecological
data countywide as well as create a detailed report in the east county region.
The historical ecology project will build on efforts in Contra Costa County to engage the
public on creek and watershed issues and improve open space habitat.and watershed health.
The Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District is particularly
interested and involved in the development of this project for it's implications to resource
management, creek and watershed restoration and flood protection for communities in
Contra Costa County. The District is also interested in using historical ecology information
to identify appropriate mitigatiori sites for our projects and appropriate infiltration sites to
meet hydrograph modification management requirements.
Beyond the implications of resource management, we see the historical ecology project
providing a number of other benefits to our region, including:
• Identify restoration and conservation opportunities.
• Identify historical location of key habitats (including those critical for special status
species).
• Better design of ecologically sustainable restoration.
• Understand past resource management that has impacted current watershed and habitat
integrity.
• Engage stakeholders.
• Educate the public about natural resources and history of the region.
Page 7 of 16
EXHIBIT 4: Letters of Support
Douglas Bosco
March 27,2007
Page 2
Thank you for your consideration of this much-needed grant.
ve truly ours,
R. itch Avalon
Deputy Chief Engineer
RMA:Iz
GAAdminlMitch'Q0071Bosco Itr.doc
c: Maurice Shiu,Public Works Director
Greg Connaughton,Flood Control
Cece Sellgren, Environmental
Page 8 of 16
EXHIBIT 4: Letters of Support
_ i
I
Contra Costa Resource Conservation District
5552 Clayton Road-Concord,California 94521
Phone: (925)672-6522-Fax(925)672-8064
Douglas Bosco,Chairman of the Board
California Coastal Conservancy
1330 Broadway, l la'Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Attn: Abe Doherty
March 21_2007
Dear Mr. Bosco:
On behalf of the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District,I would like to express our
support for the proposal submitted to the California Coastal Conservancy by Contra Costa
County and the Contra Costa Watershed Forum (CCWF):Historical Ecology.-
Conservation
cology.Conservation.and Restoration Planning. The County and the CCWF are applying for
$150,000 to help fund a two-year effort to develop baseline historical ecological data
countywide as well as create a detailed report on the east county region.
The historical ecology project will build on efforts in Contra Costa County to engage the
public on creek and watershed issues and improve open space habitat and watershed health.
This project will:
o Identify restoration and conservation opportunities
o Better design ecologically sustainable restoration
o Understand past resource management that has impacted current
watershed and habitat integrity
o Engage stakeholders
o Educate the public about natural resources and history of the region
The historical ecology project would not only produce useful datasets and reports for
resource managers,but also would harness the public interest and involvement that has
been growing around environmental restoration and conservation issues and direct it
toward meaningful actions that contribute to protecting the health of creeks and watersheds
and the San Francisco Bay—Delta.
Thank you for your consideration of this much-needed grant.
Sincerely, /
ames R. S. Toland,President
CONSERVATION-DEVELOPMENT-SELF-GOVERNMENT
Page 9 of 16 `��
EXHIBIT 4: Letters of Support
I
i
I
San Francisco Estuary Institute
7770 Pardee Lane,2""floor
Oakland,California 94621
Office(510)746.7334 s
Fax(510)746.7300
Douglas Bosco, Chairman of the Board
California Coastal Conservancy
1330 Broadway, 11 th Floor
Oakland,CA 94612
Attn: Abe Doherty
I
March 27, 2007
I
Dear Mr. Bosco:
i
1 am writing to express my support for the proposal submitted to the California Coastal
Conservancy by Contra Costa County and the Contra Costa Watershed Forum(CCWF):
Historical Ecology: Conservation and Restoration Planning.The County and the CCWF
are applying for$150,000 to help fund a two-year effort to develop baseline historical
ecological data countywide as well as create a detailed report on the east county region.
Over the past year,the San Francisco Estuary Institute has been working with Contra
Costa Watershed Forum participants to develop a historical ecology project that will
address the concerns and priorities of stakeholder in the county. The historical ecology
project will build on efforts in Contra Costa County to engage the public on creek and
watershed issues'and improve open space habitat and watershed health. We have been
impressed by the enthusiasm and talent of both Forum participants and County staff. We
are confident that the proposed work will result in technically-strong, locally-supported
conservation actions and look forward to working to support those efforts.
In particular, we expect that this project will:
o Identify new,previously unrecognized restoration and conservation
opportunities
o Identify historical locations of key habitats (including those critical for special
status species)
o Assist in better designing ecologically sustainable restoration projects
o Help understand how past resource management has impacted current
watershed and habitat integrity
o Engage local stakeholders
o Educate and inspire the public about the persisting and recoverable natural
resources of the region
Page 10 of 16.
EXHIBIT 4: Letters of Support
The historical ecology project would not only produce useful datasets and analytical
reports for resource managers,but also would harness the public interest that has been �.
growing around local environmental conservation, and direct it toward meaningful
actions for the health of local creeks, watersheds, and the San Francisco Bay—Delta.
Thank you for your consideration of this much-needed grant.
I
Sincere] I
i
i
Mi on r j
Executive Director
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I
i
Page 11 of 16
EXHIBIT 4: Letters of Support
URBAN CREEKS C IL OF CALIFORNIA
Douglas Bosco,Chairman of the Board
California Coastal Conservancy
1330 Broadway, l Vt Floor
Oakland,CA 94612
Attn: Abe Doherty
March 28,2007
Dear Mr.Bosco:
1 am writing to express my support for the proposal submitted to the California Coastal Conservancy by
Contra Costa County and the Contra Costa Watershed Forum(CCWF):Historical Ecology:
Conservation and Restoration Planning.The County and the CCWF are applying for$150,000 to help
fund a two-year effort to develop baseline historical ecological data countywide as well as create a
detailed report on the east county region.
The historical ecology project will build on efforts in Contra Costa County to engage the public on creek
and watershed issues and improve open space habitat and watershed health. .
This project will:
o Identify restoration and conservation opportunities
o Identify historical location of key habitats(including those critical for special status
species)
o Better.design ecologically sustainable restoration
o Understand past resource management that-has impacted current watershed and habitat
integrity
o Engage stakeholders
o Educate the public about natural resources and history of the region
The historical ecology project would not only produce useful datasets and reports for resource managers,
but also would harness the public interest and involvement that has been growing around environmental
restoration and conservation issues and direct it toward meaningful actions that contribute to protecting
the health of creeks and watersheds and the San Francisco Bay—Delta. We have great hope to see this
wonderful project implemented in the watersheds of Contra Costa County.
Thank you for your consideration of this much-needed grant.
Sincerely,
Milton Marks
Interim Executive Director
1250 Addison Street, Suite 107 Berkeley, CA 94702 Tel: 510 540 6669 Fax: 510 848 2219
Page 12 of 16
EXHIBIT 4: Letters of Support
the
••••• watershed
•° project
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*:Cleo
646.96
Douglas Bosco, Chairman of the Board March 27, 2007
California Coastal Conservancy j
1330 Broadway, 11`h Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Attn: Abe Doherty j
Dear Mr. Bosco:
1 am writing to express my support for the proposal submitted to the California Coastal {
Conservancy by Contra Costa County and the Contra Costa Watershed Forum(CCWF).Historical
Ecology: Conservation and Restoration Planning.The County and the CCWF are applying for l
$150,000 to help fund a two-year effort to develop baseline historical ecological data countywide as
well as create a detailed reporton the.east county region. `
The historical ecology project will build on efforts in Contra Costa County to engage the public on i
creek and watershed issues and improve open space habitat and watershed health.
This project will: !�
o Identify restoration and conservation opportunities i
C Identify historical location of key habitats (including those critical for special status I
species)
o Better design ecologically sustainable restoration
C Understand past resource management that has impacted current watershed and habitat
integrity
c Engage stakeholders
o Educate the public about natural resources and history of the region
The Watershed Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing organizational
development support to watershed groups throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. We are an active
partner of the Contra Costa Watershed Forum and many of the watershed groups we work will also
benefit from the ecological history of the county.
The historical ecology project would not only produce useful datasets and reports for resource
managers, but also would harness the public interest and involvement that has been growing around
environmental restoration and conservation issues and direct it toward meaningful actions that
contribute to protecting the health of creeks and watersheds and the San Francisco Bay—Delta. j
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
J is Brewer
nterim Executive Director
1327 South 461h Street,155 Richmond Field Station,Richmond,CA 94804 P•510-665.3546 F•510-665.3642 URL•www.thewatershedproject.org
Page 13 of 16
EXHIBIT 4: Letters of Support
C4S ISIS C�S� 100 Pine Street,Suite 1550
SAN FRANCISCO,CA 941 11
ATEL:(415)693-3000/FAX(4 15)693-3178
��15 1S lbCa 44 � WEBSITE:
X:WEBSITE(www.n-h- i.org
t� tL EMAIL:nhi@n-h-i.org
�lS LS NJ�!!lS�lS�j Kon-Pralii Lax-and Seicnce for GInhal Resource SnLnions
Douglas Bosco,Chairman of the Board
California Coastal Conservancy
1330 Broadway, 11`h Floor
Oakland,CA 94612
Attn:Abe Doherty
March 21,2007
Dear Mr.Bosco:
I am writing to express my support for the proposal submitted to the California Coastal Conservancy by Contra
Costa Countv and the Contra Costa Watershed Forum(CCWF): Historical Ecology: Conservation and
Restoration Planning.The County and the CCWF are applying for 5.150,000 to help fund a two-year effort to
develop baseline historical ecological data countywide as well as create a detailed report on the east county
region.
The historical ecology project will build on efforts in Contra Costa County to engage the public on creek and
watershed issues and improve open space habitat and watershed health.
This project will:
o Identify restoration and conservation opportunities
o Identify historical location of kev habitats(including those critical for special status
species)
c Better design ecologically sustainable restoration
o Understand past resource manasement that has impacted current watershed and habitat
integrity V
o Engage stakeholders
o Educate the public about natural resources and historyof the region
I have been involved in collaborative restoration planning efforts in the South Bay that have employed historical
ecology to help identify opportunities,understand natural processes,and resolve conflict. The historical
ecology approach has created excitement and enthusiasm and fostered not only a sense of collaboration but.also
confidence in the restoration designs that have followed. I have no doubt that the CCWF effort will have
similar,if not greater success.
Thank you for your consideration of this much-needed grant.
Sincerely,
L
Rich Walkling
Director,Baylands Restoration
Natural Heritage Institute
Pave 74 of 16
EXHIBIT 4: Letters of Support
ii i
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Douglas Bosco, Chair n of the Board F.r.” y- Aprl�2 2007
California Coastal Con rvancy.
1330 Broadway, 11th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Attn: Abe Doherty
Dear Mr. Bosco, I
Friends'of Alhambra Creek would like to express their support for the proposal submitted to
the California Coastal Conservancy by Contra Costa County and the Contra Costa Watershed '
Forum(CCWF), Historical Ecology: Conservation and Restoration Planning—The County and the
CCWF are applying for $150,000 to help fund a two year effort to develop baseline historical
ecological data countywide as well as create a detailed report on the east county region.
i
A fundamental question that underlies restoration efforts is "Restore to what?". This project
is intended to provide an answer to this question based on analysis of what was actually the
condition of the watersheds and riparian areas prior to modification and development. By
examining historical data, maps and other sources, the project will provide realistic targets
for restoration efforts based on actual historic information. This will be of immeasurable help j
in developing realistic, achievable and effective watershed and riparian restoration targets. I
Having such soundly grounded projects will be a major asset in effectively applying I
restoration resources toward projects which will result in positive net results in a cost
effective manner.
In addition to providing such a core value to restoration efforts, developing the baseline data
for the Historical Ecology project will have numerous other beneficial effects, such as:
Identifying restoration and conservation opportunities
Identifying historical location of key habitats (including those critical for special status
species)
Aiding the design of ecologically sustainable restoration
Understanding past resource management that has impacted current watershed and
habitat integrity
Engaging stakeholders and other members of the community
Educating the public about natural resources and history of the region
The historical ecology project would not only provide a historically grounded basis for
restoration projects, but also would stimulate public interest and involvement that has-been:
growing around environmental restoration and conservation issues and direct irtowa@ _
meaningful actions that contribute to protecting the health of creeks, watersheQ and be Sari
Francisco Bay Delta.
= o
Thank you for your consideration of this much needed grant, C E5
SincerelCn
S rley Skar off
Chair, Frie s of Alhambra Creek
Page 15 of 16
EXHIBIT 4: Letters of Support
Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed
Douglas Bosco,Chairman of the Board
California Coastal Conservancy
1330 Broadway, I I 1 Floor
Oakland,CA 94612 .
Attn:Abe Doherty
April 4,2007
Dear Mr.Bosco:
The Friends of Marsh Creek NVatershed would like to express our full and.enthusiastic support for the
proposal submitted to the California Coastal Conservancy by Contra Costa County and the Contra Costa
Watershed Forum(CCWF): Historical Ecology: Conservation and Restoration Planning.The County
and the CCWF are applying for S 150,000 to help fund a two-year effort to develop baseline historical
ecological data countywide as well as create a detailed report on the east county region.
The historical ecology project will build on efforts in Contra Costa County to engage the public on creek
and watershed issues and improve open space habitat and watershed health.
This project will:
e Identify restoration and conservation opportunities
c Identity historical location of kev habitats(including those critical for special status
species)
c Better design ecologically sustainable restoration
c Understand past resource management that has impacted current watershed and
habitat integrity
c Engage stakeholders
o Educate the public about natural resources and history of the region
The historical ecology project would not only produce useful datasets and reports for resource managers,
but also would harness the public interest and involvement that has been growing around environmental
restoration and conservation issues and direct it toward meaningful actions that contribute to protecting
the health of creeks and watersheds and the San Francisco Bav—Delta.For example, in East Contra Costa
County there is a strong desire and need to restore portions of Marsh Creek that have been diverted and
channelized. In addition,the boom in development necessitates a better understanding of changes in urban
runoff and the overall condition of the watershed.
Thank you for your consideration of this much-needed grant.
Sincerely,
Anne Littlejohn,Coordinator
Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed
Page 16 of 16