HomeMy WebLinkAboutWildlife Conservation Board Notice of Meeting STATE OF CALIFORNIA-THE RESOURCES AGENCY ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER,Governor
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD
180713 TI STREET,SUITE 103
SACRAMENTO,CALIFORNIA 95811
(916)445-8448
FAx(916)323-0280
www.wcb.ca.gov
NOTICE OF MEETING
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD
November 20, 2008
10:00 A.M.
1/State Capitol, Room 112
Sacramento, California 95814
FINAL AGENDA ITEMS
ITEM NO. PAGE NO.
1. Roll Call 1
2. Funding Status — Informational 2
3. Proposed Consent Calendar (Items 4-16) 6
*4. Approval of Minutes —August 28, 2008 6
*5. Recovery of Funds 6
*Proposed Consent Calendar
li These facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities
1
ITEM PAGE
*6. San Joaquin River Conservancy, Department of Justice, $50,000.00 8
Legal Services
To consider the allocation for legal services provided by the Department of
Justice, Attorney General's Office to the San Joaquin River Conservancy
related to bond funded land acquisitions and capital improvements. [Safe
Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and
Coastal Protection Fund of 2006, (Proposition 84), Section 75050(f)]
*7. DFG Land Management Plans, Northern Region, $28,002.00 9
Phase 11 Augmentation, Tehama and Shasta Counties
To consider the allocation for a grant to the California Wildlife Foundation,
Inc. to fund an augmentation for the Department of Fish and Game (DFG)
Mouth of Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area land management plan, for the
recent addition of 141+ acres, known as the Balls Ferry Unit, located in
Shasta County. The proposed funding source for this project allows for the
preparation of management plans for DFG lands acquired by the Wildlife
Conservation Board. [California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe
Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Fund, (Proposition 40),
Section 5096.650]
*8. South Fork American River, Lower Canyon Unit, $410,000.00 11
Expansion 3, El Dorado County
To consider the allocation for a grant to the American River Conservancy
for a cooperative project with the California Resources Agency to acquire
45± acres to protect riparian and upland habitat located near Folsom
Lake, in El Dorado County. The proposed funding source allows for the
acquisition of significant natural landscapes, oak woodlands, foothill
habitat, and other significant habitat areas. [California Clean Water, Clean
Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Fund, (Proposition
40), Section 5096.650]
ITEM PAGE
*9. San Joaquin River Parkway, $275,000.00 13
River West-Madera Restoration, Planning and Environmental Review,
Madera County
To consider the allocation for a grant to the County of Madera for a
cooperative project with the San Joaquin River Conservancy to fund
planning and environmental review for the San Joaquin River Parkway,
River West-Madera Restoration Project, to restore 600+ acres owned by
the San Joaquin River Conservancy located adjacent to the San Joaquin
River, West of Highway 41, in Madera County. The proposed funding
sources for this project allow for the acquisition, development,
rehabilitation, restoration and protection of land and water resources, in
cooperation with San Joaquin River Conservancy [California Clean Water,
Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Fund
(Proposition 40), Section 5096.650(b)(5)] and for the acquisition,
development, enhancement, and protection of land, in cooperation with
San Joaquin River Conservancy [Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water,
Clean Air and Coastal Protection Bond Fund (Proposition 12), Section
5096.355]
*10. Shaver Lake Boat Launch Boarding Float, $156,000.00 15
Fresno County
To consider the allocation for a grant to the County of Fresno for a
cooperative project with Shaver Lake Marina and Southern California
Edison to replace worn-out boarding floats at the Shaver Lake Boat
Launch Facility, located approximately 45 miles northeast of the City of
Fresno on the north side of Shaver Lake, in Fresno County. The proposed
funding source for this project allows for the renovation of public access
facilities. [Wildlife Restoration Fund (Minor Capital Outlay)]
1. Working and Learning Among the Oaks, Phase 11, $139,411.00 16
San Luis Obispo County
To consider the allocation for a grant to the Regents of the University of
California, Berkeley to fund Phase 11 of Working and Learning Among the
Oaks, a three-year effort to provide public information and education on
the value of oak woodlands to K-6 grammar school students attending the
Santa Margarita School and secondly to provide oak woodland education
and outreach efforts on private ranches and farms. The proposed funding
source allows for education and outreach efforts on the conservation of
oak woodland habitat. [Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply,
Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Fund of 2006, (Proposition
84), Section 75055(d)(2)]
ITEM PAGE
*12. Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve, Expansion 1, $469,000.00 21
- Santa Barbara County
To consider the acquisition of 20± acres to protect rare and threatened
species in the community of Lompoc, in Santa Barbara County. The
proposed funding source allows for the acquisition of threatened and
endangered species, protection and restoration of coastal watershed and
adjacent lands, located in Santa Barbara County. [Habitat Conservation
Fund, (Proposition 117), Section 2786(b/c) (P50 SoCal)]
*13. Western Riverside County MSHCP, $177,000.00 22
Expansions 4 and 5, Riverside County
To consider the allocation for two grants to the Western Riverside County
Regional Conservation Authority to acquire two properties totaling 80+
acres to protect threatened and endangered species and wildlife corridors
and to further implement Natural Community Conservation Planning
efforts, located near the City of Lake Elsinore, in Riverside County, and to
consider the acceptance of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grant and the
approval to subgrant the federal funds to the Authority to be applied
toward the acquisitions. The proposed funding source allows for the
acquisition or protection of habitat or habitat corridors that promote the
recovery of threatened, endangered or fully protected species where
matching contributions of funds from other public agencies, private parties
or nonprofit organizations are obtained. [Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean
Water, Clean Air and Coastal Protection Bond Fund (Proposition 12),
Section 5096.350(a)(5)]
*14. Whitewater Canyon, MacKenzie Ranch, $410,000.00 24
Riverside County
To consider the allocation for a grant to Friends of the Desert Mountains
(Friends) for a cooperative project with the Coachella Valley Mountains
Conservancy, the Resources Legacy Fund Foundation and the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service to acquire 260± acres to protect endangered species
and wildlife corridors located in Riverside County, and to consider the
acceptance of two U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grants and the approval
of two subgrants of the federal funds to the Friends to be applied toward
the acquisition. The proposed funding source allows for the acquisition or
protection of habitat or habitat corridors that promote the recovery of
threatened, endangered or fully protected species where matching
contributions of funds from other public agencies, private parties or
nonprofit organizations are obtained. [Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean
Water, Clean Air and Coastal Protection Bond Fund, (Proposition 12),
Section 5096.350(a)(5)]
iv
ITEM PAGE
*15. Crestridge Preserve, South Crest, Expansion 3, $250,000.00 26
San Diego County
To consider the allocation for a grant to the Endangered Habitats League
(League) Inc., to acquire 29± acres to protect threatened and endangered
species and wildlife corridors, located west of the community of Crest, and
to consider the acceptance of a U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service grant and
approval of a subgrant of the federal funds to the League to be applied
toward the acquisition. The proposed funding source allows for the
acquisition of real property to implement or assist in the development of a
Natural Community Conservation Plan. [Safe Drinking Water, Water
Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Fund of
2006, (Proposition 84), Section 75055(c)]
*16. The Environmental Trust Bankruptcy, $30,000-00 28
Multiple Southern California Counties
To consider the acceptance of properties as agreed to in negotiations
surrounding the bankruptcy and reorganization of The Environmental Trust
(TET). The Department of Fish and Game, the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service, the City of San Diego and the County of San Diego are
working cooperatively to transfer the properties previously held by TET to
non-profits, State and local government entities to ensure protection of the
habitat and open space on the lands. The proposed funding source allows
for the acquisition and protection of habitat that promotes the recovery of
threatened and endangered species, and ecosystems such as riparian and
wetland areas. [Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood
Control, River and Coastal Protection Fund of 2006, (Proposition 84),
Section 75055(b)]
17. Habitat Restoration, Mill Creek Watershed, Phase 11, $2,869,000.00 30
Del Norte County
To consider the allocation for a grant to the Smith River Alliance for a
cooperative project with the Department of Fish and Game, the National
Park Service, the State Coastal Conservancy, the Department of Parks
and Recreation, and Save-the-Redwoods League to restore and enhance
wildlife habitat within the Redwoods State Park, located in Del Norte
County. The proposed funding source allows for the restoration and
protection of habitat that promotes recovery of threatened and
endangered species. [California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe
Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Fund, (Proposition 40),
Section 5096.650]
ITEM PAGE
18. Honey Lake Wildlife Area Pipeline, $308,000.00 32
Lassen County
To consider the allocation for a grant to Ducks Unlimited, Inc., for a
cooperative project with the Department of Fish and Game to install
approximately 8,030 feet of pipeline to improve water delivery to 240+
acres of uplands and 140+ acres of wetland habitat on the Fleming Unit of
the Department of Fish and Game's Honey Lake Wildlife Area, located in
Lassen County. The proposed funding source for this project allows for
the enhancement of wetland and associated upland habitats. [Habitat
Conservation Fund (Proposition 117), Section 2786(d)(Wetiands Outside
the Central Valley)]
19. Daugherty Hill Wildlife Area, Expansion 11, $610,000.00 34
Butte County
To consider the acquisition of a conservation easement over 582± acres
to protect deer winter range for the Bucks Mountain/Mooretown deer herd
located near the Sierra foothill communities of Bangor and Rackersby, in
Butte County. The proposed funding source allows for the acquisition of
habitat, including native oak woodlands, necessary to protect deer and
mountain lions. [Habitat Conservation Fund, (Proposition 117), Section
2786(a)]
20. Daugherty Hill Wildlife Area, Expansion 12 $935,000.00 35
Yuba County
To consider a cooperative project to acquire of 529± acres with the Trust
for Public Land and the Sierra Nevada Conservancy to protect oak
woodlands habitat and deer winter range located near Collins Lake, in the
Sierra foothills, in Yuba County. The proposed funding source allows for
the acquisition of habitat, including native oak woodlands, necessary to
protect deer and mountain lions. [Habitat Conservation Fund, (Proposition
117), Section 2786(a)]
21. Truckee Basin (Perazzo Meadows), $765,000.00 37
Sierra County
To consider the allocation for a grant to the Truckee Donner Land Trust for
a cooperative project with the Department of Fish and Game, Trust for
Public Land, the Resources Agency, and the California Transportation
Commission to acquire 982± acres to protect critical fawning areas and
summer range for mule deer of the Loyalton-Truckee deer herd and winter
migration corridors west of Highway 89, near Webber Lake in Sierra
County. The proposed funding source allows for the acquisition of habitat,
including native oak woodlands, necessary to protect deer and mountain
lions. [Habitat Conservation Fund, (Proposition 117), Section 2786(a)]
Vi
ITEM PAGE
22. Elkhorn Basin Ranch, $3,780,000-00 38
- Yolo County
To consider the allocation for a grant to the Yolo Land Trust for a
cooperative project with the Sacramento Valley Conservancy, the
Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency and the Packard Foundation to
acquire three properties totaling 685± acres to protect riparian habitat and
agriculture land and to connect large tracts of land located between the
Sacramento River and the Yolo Bypass, southeast of Woodland, in Yolo
County. The proposed funding source allows for the acquisition and
protection of habitat that promotes the recovery of threatened and
endangered species, and provides corridors linking separate habitat
areas. [California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and
Coastal Protection Fund, (Proposition 40), Section 5096.650]
23. Dry Creek Oak Woodland Corridor, $295,000-00 40
Yolo County
To consider the allocation for a grant to the National Audubon Society, Inc.
dba Audubon California for a cooperative project with the Department of
Fish and Game, City of Winters, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National
Fish and Wildlife Foundation, University of California, Davis, Natural
Resources Conservation Services, Lower Putah Creek Coordination
Committee, Center for Land based Learning, and private landowners to
restore 5.6 miles of riparian habitat and native vegetation, improve
connectivity between ecosystems, reduce sedimentation and streambank
erosion, and improve water quality for anadromous fish, located on public
and private lands along East Fork Dry Creek and West Fork Dry Creek,
near the City of Winters, in Yolo County. The proposed funding sources
for this project allow for assisting farmers in integrating agricultural
activities with ecosystem restoration and wildlife protection. [Safe Drinking
Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal
Protection Fund, (Proposition 84), Section 75055(d)(4)] and restoration of
riparian habitat [Habitat Conservation Fund, (Proposition 117),Section
2786(elf)]
Vii
ITEM PAGE
24. Watsonville Slough Conservation Area, $5,510,500.00 42
and Expansion 1, Santa Cruz County
To consider an allocation for two grants to the Land Trust of Santa Cruz
County for cooperative projects with the Department of Fish and Game,
State Coastal Conservancy, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and The
Nature Conservancy to acquire two properties totaling 441± acres to
protect coastal wetland and upland habitats, provide sustainable habitat
for sensitive species, and reduce adverse impacts to the water quality and
supply in the slough system located west of Highway 1 in the City of
Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, and to consider the conditional
acceptance of a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the
project. The proposed funding source allows for the acquisition and
protection of habitat that promotes the recovery of threatened and
endangered species, and ecosystems such as riparian and wetland areas.
[Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and
Coastal Protection Fund of 2006, (Proposition 84), Section 75055(b)]
25. East Merced Vernal Pool Grassland Preserve, $4,400,000.00 45
Expansion 6, Merced County
To consider the allocation for a grant to the California Rangeland Trust to
acquire a conservation easement over 2,912± acres to protect rolling
grasslands with a high density of vernal pools and associated rare and
endangered species located northeast of the City of Merced, in Merced
County. The proposed funding source allows for the acquisition of habitat
that promotes recovery of threatened and endangered species and that
protects significant natural landscapes and significant habitat areas.
[California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks and Coastal
Protection Fund, (Proposition 40), Section 5096.650]
26. Midland School Oak Woodlands Conservation Easement, $4,155,000.00 46
Santa Barbara County
To consider the allocation for a grant to the Land Trust for Santa Barbara
County for a cooperative project with the Trust for Public Land and the
California Transportation Commission to acquire a conservation easement
over 2,725± acres to protect and preserve oak woodland habitat in Los
Olivos, Santa Barbara County. The proposed funding source allows for the
conservation of the integrity and diversity of oak woodlands across
California's working landscapes. [Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and
Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Fund of 2006,
(Proposition 84), Section 75055(4)(2)]
Viii
ITEM PAGE
27. Palo Verde Ecological Reserve, $2,585,000-00 48
Expansions 1 and 2, Riverside County
To consider a cooperative project with the Trust for Public Land to acquire
two properties totaling 422± acres to protect desert wash and riparian
habitat along the Colorado River located north of Blythe, in Riverside
County, and to accept Department of Fish and Game funds for the
acquisition of lands for natural resource protection and public access to
natural resources, within the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Habitat
Conservation Plan planning area, to be deposited directly into an escrow
account established for Expansion 1. The proposed funding source for
both Expansions 1 and 2 allows for the acquisition and restoration of land
and water resources necessary to meet state obligations related to
California's allocation of water from the Colorado River. Pater Security,
Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Fund of 2002,
(Proposition 50), Section 79568]
28. Upper Newport Bay Ecosystem Restoration, $2,000,000.00 50
Orange County
To consider the allocation for a grant to the County of Orange in
cooperation with the Army Corps of Engineers to fund part of the ongoing
dredging activities for enhancing bay wildlife habitats in the upper basin of
the Department of Fish and Game Upper Newport Bay Ecological
Reserve, located in Newport Beach, California. The proposed funding
source for this project allows for the acquisition, protection, and restoration
of coastal wetlands in Southern California. [Water Security, Clean Drinking
Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Fund, (Proposition 50), Section
79572(a)]
29. Monitoring Grants and Conservation Easements, N/A 53
Statewide
To clarify the intent of the Board, staff proposes to amend the policy
adopted by the Board on August 17, 2006, governing the monitoring of
WCB grant agreements and conservation easements.
30. Executive Session (Not Open to the Public) 56
THE BOARD MAY MEET IN CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 11126(e)(1) TO
DISCUSS PENDING LITIGATION, OUTFITTER PROPERTIES, LLC,
ROCKY SPRINGS, LLC, v. WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD, ET AL.,
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, SUPERIOR COURT, CASE NUMBER 34-
2008-8000037.
ix
vSTATE OF CALIFORNIA-THE RESOURCES AGENCY ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER,Governor
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD
180713T"
STREET,SUITE 103
SACRAMENTO,CALIFORNIA 95811
(916)445-8448
FAx(916)323-0280
vvww.wcb.ca.qov
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD
November 20, 2008
10:00 A.M.
State Capitol, Room 112
Sacramento, California 95814
1. Roll Call
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD MEMBERS
Richard B. Rogers, Chairman
President, Fish and Game Commission
Michael C. Genest, Member
Director, Department of Finance
Donald Koch, Member
Director, Department of Fish and Game
JOINT LEGISLATIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Senator Abel Maldonado
Senator Darrell Steinberg
Senator Patricia Wiggins
Assembly Member Jared Huffman
Assembly Member Lois Wolk
Assembly Member (Position Vacant)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
John P. Donnelly
Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
2. Funding Status — Informational
(a) 2008-09 Wildlife Restoration Fund Capital Outlay Budget
BudgetAct .......................................................................................$1,000,000.00
Less Previous Board Allocations................................................................... (0.00)
Unallocated Balance............................. ..........................................$1,000,000.00
(b) 2006-07 General Fund Capital Outlay Budget
BudgetAct ............................................................................. .........$5,000,000.00
Less Previous Board Allocations..................................................... (3,465,000.00)
UnallocatedBalance........................................................................$1,535,000.00
(c) 2008-09 Habitat Conservation Fund Capital Outlay Budget
Budget Act ...................................................... .......... ..............$20,668,000.00
Less Previous Board Allocations.......................................................... (35,000.00)
Unallocated Balance ......................................................................$20,633,000.00
(d) 2007-08 Habitat Conservation Fund Capital Outlay Budget
BudgetAct .....................................................................................$20,674,000.00
Less Previous Board Allocations..................................................... (9,349,158.00)
Unallocated Balance ......................................................................$11,324,842.00
(e) 2006-07 Habitat Conservation Fund Capital Outlay Budget
Budget Act .....................................................................................$20,699,000.00
Less Previous Board Allocations..................................................... (8,376,880.00)
Unallocated Balance ......................................................................$12,322,120.00
(f) 2006-07 Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air and
Coastal Protection Bond Fund Capital Outlay Budget
BudgetAct ................................................... ................................$15,224,000.00
Less Previous Board Allocations................................................... (12,468,347.50)
Unallocated Balance........................................................................$2,755,652.50
(g) 2000-01 Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air and
Coastal Protection Bond Fund Capital Outlay Budget (2006-07 Reappr'opriation)
Budget Act (San Joaquin River Conservancy Projects) .................$14,562,000.00
Less Previous Board Allocations................................................... (14,417,375.33)
Unallocated Balance ...........................................................................$144,624.67
(h) 1999-00 Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air, and
Coastal Protection Bond Fund Capital Outlay Budget
-2 -
Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20,2008
Continuously Appropriated [Sec. 5096.350 (a)(1), (2), (4) & (7)]....$36,100,000.00
Less Previous Board Allocations................................................... (27,480,085.39)
Unallocated Balance .................. ...... ..............................................$8,619,914.61
(i) 2004-05 California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks and
Coastal Protection Bond Fund Capital Outlay Budget (2007-08
Reappropriation)
Budget Act (San Joaquin River Conservancy Projects) .................$11,000,000.00
Less Previous Board Allocations........................................................ (316,026.00)
Unallocated Balance .................. ...................................................$10,683,974.00
2003-04 California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks and
Coastal Protection Bond Fund Capital Outlay Budget (2007-08
Reappropriation)
Budget Act (San Joaquin River Conservancy Projects) ...................$8,500,000.00
Less Previous Board Allocations..................................................... (8,472,899.40)
Unallocated Balance .............—.............................................................$27,100.60
(k) 2001-02 California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks and
Coastal Protection Bond Fund Capital Outlay Budget
Continuously Appropriated (Section 5096.650)............................$273,000,000.00
Less Previous Board Allocations................................................. (173,385,455.81)
Unallocated Balance ......................................................................$99,614,544.19
(1) 2004-05 Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and
Beach Protection Fund of 2002 Capital Outlay Budget (Section 79568)
Budget Act (2006-07 Reappropriation)...........................................$13,250,000.00
Less Previous Board Allocations................................................... (13,089,784.38)
Unallocated Balance ...........................................................................$160,215.62
(m) 2003-04 Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and
Beach Protection Fund of 2002 Capital Outlay Budget (Section 79568)
Budget Act (2006-07 Reappropriation)...........................................$32,500,000.00
Less Previous Board Allocations................................................... (20,031,970.00)
Unallocated Balance......................................................................$12,468,030.00
(n) 2002-03 Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and
Beach Protection Fund of 2002 Capital Outlay Budget
Continuously Appropriated (Sections 79565 and 79572),
including Chapter 81, Statutes of 2005 ........................................$814,350,000.00
Less 2003-04 Budget Act Transfer to HCF from Section 79565 ... (21,000,000M)
Less 2004-05 Budget Act Transfer to HCF from Section 79565 ... (21,000,000.00)
Less 2005-06 Budget Act Transfer to HCF from Section 79565 ..... (4,000,000.00)
- 3 -
Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
Less 2005-06 Budget Act Transfer to HCF from Section 79572 ..... (3,100,000.00)
Less 2006-07 Budget Act Transfer to HCF from Section 79672 ... (17,688,000.00)
Less 2007-08 Budget Act Transfer to HCF from Section 79572 (5,150,000.00)
Less 2008-09 Budget Act Transfer to HCF from Section 795725 ... (1,000,000.00)
Less Previous Board Allocations................................................. (715,917,623.39)
Unallocated Balance ......................................................................$98,432,376.61
(o) 2008-09 Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood
Control, River and Coastal Protection Fund of 2006 Capital Outlay
Budget
Budget Act (San Joaquin River Conservancy Projects) $10,000,000.00
Less Previous Board Allocations................................................................... (0.00)
Unallocated Balance......................................................................$10,000,000.00
(p) 2007-08 Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood
Control, River and Coastal Protection Fund of 2006 Capital Outlay
Budget
Budget Act (San Joaquin River Conservancy Projects) $10,000,000.00
Less Previous Board Allocations................................................................... (0.00)
Unallocated Balance......................................................................$10,000,000.00
(q) 2008-09 Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood
Control, River and Coastal Protection Fund of 2006 Capital Outlay
Budget
Budget Act (NCCP Section 75055c) ..............................................$25,000,000.00
Less Previous Board Allocations.......................................................... (25,000.00)
Unallocated Balance......................................................................$24,975,000.00
(r) 2007-08 Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood
Control, River and Coastal Protection Fund of 2006 Capital Outlay
Budget
Budget Act (NCCP Section 75055c) ..............................................$25,000,000.00
Less Previous Board Allocations................................................... (13,484,819.00)
Unallocated Balance ......................................................................$11,515,181.00
(s) 2007-08 Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood
Control, River and Coastal Protection Fund of 2006 Capital Outlay
Budget
Budget Act (Section 75055(d)(1))...................................................$14,293,000.00
Less Previous Board Allocations..................................................... (2,188,492.00)
Unallocated Balance ......................................................................$12,104,508.00
(t) 2007-08 Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood
Control, River and Coastal Protection Fund of 2006 Capital Outlay
-4 -
Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
Budget
Budget Act (Section 75055(d)(2)).... ........................... ..............$14,293,000.00
Less Previous Board Allocations.......................................................... (25,000.00)
Unallocated Balance ................................................... ..................$14,268,000.00
(u) 2007-08 Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood
Control, River and Coastal Protection Fund of 2006 Capital Outlay
Budget
Budget Act (Section 75055(d)(3)).....................................................$4,762,000.00
Less Previous Board Allocations..................................................... (1,225,600.00)
Unallocated Balance ........................................... ..................... ......$3,536,400.00
(v) 2006-07 Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood
Control, River and Coastal Protection Fund of 2006 Capital Outlay
Budget
Continuously Appropriated (Section 75055a)...............................$164,700,000.00
Less Previous Board Allocations.................. ........ .............................. (25,000.00)
Unallocated Balance.......................................................... .........$164,675,000.00
Continuously Appropriated (Section 75055b)...............................$123,525,000.00
Less Previous Board Allocations................................................... (11,009,611.00)
Unallocated Balance ....................................................................$112,515,389.00
(w) 2003-04 Oak Woodlands Conservation Fund Capital Outlay Budget
Budget Act (2006-07 Reappropriation).............................................$5,000,000.00
Less Previous Board Allocations..................................................... (1,982,161.00)
Unallocated Balance ........................................................................$3,017,839.00
RECAP OF FUND BALANCES
Wildlife Restoration Fund (a)............................................................$1,000,000.00
General Fund (b)..............................................................................$1,535,000.00
Habitat Conservation Fund (c), (d) and (e).....................................$44,279,962.00
Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air, and Coastal
Protection Bond Fund (f), (g) and (h) ..........................................$11,520,191.78
California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks
and Coastal Protection Bond Fund (i), 0) and (k)......................$110,325,618.79
Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and
Beach Protection Fund of 2002 (1), (m) and (n).........................$111,060,622.23
Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control,
River and Coastal Protection Fund of 2006 (o), (p), (q), (r),
(s), (t), (u) and (v) .....................................................................$363,589,478.00
Oak Woodlands Conservation Fund (w) ..........................................$3,017,839.00
RECAP OF NATURAL HERITAGE PRESERVATION TAX CREDIT ACT OF 2000
- 5 -
Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
Natural Heritage Preservation Tax Credit Act of 2000
Chapter 113, Statutes of 2000 and Chapter 715, Statutes of 2004
Total Tax Credits Available ............................................................$100,000,000.00
Less Previously Awarded Tax Credits.............................................(48,598,734.00)
Balance of Tax Credits Available ...................................................$51,401,266.00
Note: The Natural Heritage Preservation Tax Credit Program is suspended, effective
6/30/08.
3. Proposed Consent Calendar (Items 4 – 16)
*4. Approval of Minutes—August 28, 2008 Meeting
*5. Recovery of Funds
The following projects previously authorized by the Board are now completed, and
some have balances of funds that can be recovered and returned to their respective
funds. It is recommended that the following totals be recovered and that the projects
be closed.
$0.00 to the General Fund
$12,796.00 to the Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean
Air, and Coastal Protection Bond Fund
$5,437.25 to the Habitat Conservation Fund
$809,348.06 to the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe
Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection
Fund
$0.00 to the Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal
and Beach Protection Fund of 2002
$3,245.00 to the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and
Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal
Protect Fund of 2006
$20,000.00 to the Oak Woodlands Conservation Fund
GENERAL FUND
Wetland Conservation Easement Program, Bird Haven Ranch, Glenn County
Allocated $440,000.00
Expended -440,000.00
Balance for Recovery $0.00
Total General Fund $0.00
SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS, CLEAN WATER, CLEAN AIR, AND
COASTAL PROTECTION BOND FUND
Santa Rosa Mountains, Expansion 8, Riverside County
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20,2008
Allocated $442,725.00
Expended -433,525.00
Balance for Recovery $9,200.00
Six Rivers (Valley View), Humboldt County
Allocated $10,000.00
Expended -10,000.00
Balance for Recovery $0.00
Triple Creeks Conservation Area, Expansion 2, Riverside County
Allocated $5,000.00
Expended -1,404.00
Balance for Recovery $3,596.00
Total Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, $12,796.00
Clean Air, and Coastal Protection Bond Fund
HABITAT CONSERVATION FUND
Bass Hill Lassen Creek Conservation Easement, Lassen County
Allocated $415,000.00
Expended -411,563.75
Balance for Recovery $3,436.25
Elkhorn Slough Ecological Reserve, Expansion 16, Monterey County
Allocated $641,000.00
Expended -639,029.00
Balance for Recovery $1,971.00
Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area, Napa Plant Site Restoration,
Ponds 9, 10, and Wash Ponds Pre-construction Activities, Napa County
Allocated $132,000.00
Expended -131,970.00
Balance for Recovery $30.00
Santa Rosa Mountains, Expansion 8, Riverside County
Allocated $283,275.00
Expended -283,275.00
Balance for Recovery $0.00
Total Habitat Conservation Fund $5,437.25
CALIFORNIA CLEAN WATER, CLEAN AIR, SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD
PARKS, AND COASTAL PROTECTION FUND
Lake Earl Wildlife Area, Expansion 35, Del Norte County
Allocated $5,000.00
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
Expended -1,573.00
Balance for Recovery $3,427.00
Trabuco Creek Fish Passage Steelhead Restoration, Orange County
Allocated $1,199,000.00
Expended -393,078.94
Balance for Recovery $805,921.06
Total California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe $809,348.06
Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Fund
WATER SECURITY, CLEAN DRINKING WATER, COASTAL AND BEACH
PROTECTION FUND OF 2002
Las Flores Creek Stream Restoration, Los Angeles County
Allocated $600,000.00
Expended -600,000.00
Balance for Recovery $0.00
Total Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal $0.00
and Beach Protection Fund of 2002
SAFE DRINKING WATER, WATER QUALITY AND SUPPLY, FLOOD
CONTROL, RIVER AND COASTAL PROTECT FUND OF 2006
El Sobrante, Riverside County
Allocated $2,504,700.00
Expended -2,501,455:00
Balance for Recovery $3,245.00
Total Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and $3,245.00
Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protect
Fund of 2006
OAK WOODLANDS CONSERVATION FUND
Project Planning
Allocated $20,000.00
Expended -0.00
Balance for Recovery $20,000.00
Total Oak Woodlands Conservation Fund $20,000.00
*6. San Joaquin River Conservancy, Department of Justice, $50,000.00
Legal Services
This proposal is to consider the allocation for legal services provided by the
Department of Justice (DOJ), Attorney General's office, to the San Joaquin River
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008 -
Conservancy (SJRC), related to bond funded land acquisitions and capital
improvements. This proposal was approved by the SJRC's Board of Directors on
October 9, 2008.
In July 2008, the SJRC received a letter from the Attorney General stating that the
DOJ could no longer absorb the costs for legal services. The Department of
Finance confirmed that legal costs must be reimbursed to DOJ and that legal
services for bond fund related projects are legitimate program delivery costs
authorized by the bond act. Hence, the DOJ will commence invoicing the Wildlife
Conservation Board for SJRC's legal services as the SJRC's capital outlay
appropriations are authorized in the WCB's budget.
The DOJ provides detailed monthly statements of services. Conservancy staff
and DOJ's legal counsel have reviewed the past account of services and believe
$50,000.00 will provide sufficient funds for legal services for the remainder of the
2008-09 Fiscal Year. If no litigation or inordinately time consuming matters arise,
some of the funds will carryover to the 2009-10 Fiscal Year. It is anticipated that
additional bond fund allocations will be made for these legal services over the
five-year program implementation period.
Proposition 84 allows for a maximum of five percent of the funds to be used for
program delivery costs. Over the program outlay period of five years, the total
cost of one Conservancy staff member, one WCB staff member, and legal
services associated with land acquisitions and capital improvements will be well
under the five percent maximum. Proposition 40, the Clean Water, Clean Air,
Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Bond Act (2002) also provided
funding for program delivery-, the Conservancy utilized only $341,963 of the
$1,250,000 allowed pursuant to that bond act. All legal costs related to non-bond
funded matters and operations will be absorbed by the Conservancy's main
support appropriation, funded by the Environmental License Plate Fund.
Staff recommends that the Wildlife Conservation Board approve this project as
proposed, allocate $50,000.00 from the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and
Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Fund (Prop. 84), Section
75050(f); and authorize staff to proceed substantially as planned.
*7. DFG Land Management Plans, Northern Region, $28,002.00
Phase 11 Augmentation, Tehama and Shasta Counties
This proposal is to consider the allocation for a grant to the California Wildlife
Foundation, Inc. to fund an augmentation for the Department of Fish and Game
(DFG) land management plan for the Mouth of Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area,
to include the recent addition of 141± acres in Shasta County, known as the Balls
Ferry Unit.
The DFG is the public trust steward of properties acquired throughout the State
by the Wildlife Conservation Board (Board) for various purposes, and as such,
follows policies relating to management and enhancement of wildlife and the
habitats on which they depend, while providing appropriate public use on those
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
lands. Because of the rapid rate of acquisitions over the last decade (most due
to voter-approved bonds), some properties have gone without planning and have
been minimally managed. Land management plans are necessary in order to
assess resources, involve the public, and provide guidance to the DFG's
programs that relate to land management. Further, land management plans are
required by Fish and Game Code section 1019.
Mouth of Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area (MCCWA) consists of two units totaling
+903 acres. The Cottonwood Creek Unit (555± acres) is located along the north
bank of Cottonwood Creek at the confluence with the Sacramento River. The
Balls Ferry Unit (348± acres) is approximately 3/4 mile north of the Cottonwood
Creek Unit. The locations of these properties are generally 10 miles east of
Cottonwood, off Balls Ferry Road and Adobe Road. In June 2008, DFG acquired
an additional 141± acre parcel (the Matthews Property) adjacent to the Balls
Ferry Unit of the MCCWA. At the time of this acquisition, final edits to the Draft
MCCWA Land Management Plan (LMP) were being completed. The Draft LMP
will be amended to include the Matthews Property as part of the Balls Ferry Unit.
The property within the Cottonwood Creek Unit is mostly riparian and open
riverine habitat within the 100-year flood zone on Cottonwood Creek. Habitats
include a slough or oxbow, natural and developed wetlands, some grassland and
upland habitat along an upper terrace. The Balls Ferry Unit, including the new
addition, has a large natural wetland component with the remainder as upland
with some riparian habitat. MCCWA was acquired to protect and manage
wetland, riparian and upland habitats.
The Draft LMP, as amended, will be prepared following DFG guidelines, A Guide
and Annotated Outline for Writing Land Management Plans (Guide), fulfilling other
local, state or federal agency requirements as necessary. The Draft LMP, as
amended, will be written to meet CEQA and CESA requirements and will be
suitable for CEQA review and approval. The following tasks may be required for
the recently acquired 141-acre parcel to complete the plan, depending upon site
circumstances:
• Evaluation of existing biological and cultural resource data to determine
what type of additional inventory work needs completion or updating;
• Resource inventory;
• Mapping of additional habitats;
• Identify and map any and all easements across or through the new parcel-,
• Integrate the new parcel management planning into the existing
completed MCCWA Plan.
The estimated total additional cost for administration and preparation of this
amended management plan is $28,002.00.
The proposed funding source for this project is the California Clean Water, Clean
Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Fund (Proposition 40),
which allows for the preparation of management plans for DFG lands acquired by
the Board. The DFG has reviewed this proposal and recommends it for funding
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
by the Board. The project is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) under Title 14, California Code of Regulations, Section 15262
— Planning and Feasibility Studies. Subject to project approval by the Board, the
appropriate Notice of Exemption will be filed with the State Clearinghouse.
Staff recommends that the Board approve this project as proposed; allocate
$28,002.00 from the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks
and Coastal Protection Fund; authorize staff to enter into appropriate agreements
necessary to accomplish this project; and authorize staff and Department of Fish
and Game to proceed substantially as planned.
*8. South Fork American River, Lower Canyon Unit, $410,000.00
Expansion 3, El Dorado County
This proposal is to consider the allocation for a grant to the American River
Conservancy (Conservancy) for a cooperative project with the California
Resources Agency to acquire 45± acres to protect riparian and upland habitat
located near Folsom Lake, in western El Dorado County.
The privately-owned subject property is located approximately 30 miles east of
the City of Sacramento on Salmon Falls Road at the road's crossing of the South
Fork of the American River, at the upper eastern end of Folsom Lake.
Topography in the project area ranges from moderate to steep slopes.
Blacktail deer, mountain lion, bobcat, river atter and hundreds of year-round and
migratory bird species are supported by the riparian corridors, oak woodlands,
chaparral and annual grassland habitats that occur on the site. The property is
adjacent to the Department of Fish and Game's (DFG) Pine Hill Ecological
Reserve (Reserve) which currently protects over 4,000 acres of rare plant habitat
of which over 3,100 acres lie within a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 5,000± acre
area designated for the recovery of five federally listed plants and the
conservation of three special status plants. Three of these eight rare plants,
specifically El Dorado mule ear, Bisbee Peak rush rose and Red Hills soaproot,
have been sited on the subject property. The property has been identified as
potential habitat for the federally listed El Dorado bedstraw and Layne's
butterweed.
Since 1989, the Wildlife Conservation Board (Board) has participated in the
acquisition of approximately 3,700 acres along the lower reach of the South Fork
of the American River and approximately 1,933 acres in the Reserve working in
partnership with the Conservancy, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM),
and the DFG. The subject property is adjacent to property owned and managed
by both the BLM and the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR).
This acquisition will protect riparian and sensitive mixed chaparral habitat along
with the sensitive and endangered species resident and potentially resident
within, and dependent upon, this habitat. The acquisition will also provide a
trailhead and trail linkage in completing the larger South Fork American River
Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20.2008
Parkway project which includes a twenty mile length of river canyon stretching
from Placerville to Folsom Lake.
The area will be managed for habitat protection and may be appropriate for
designated public trails and controlled public access. However, the main
objective should be maintenance and protection of the existing populations of
sensitive species.
The property owners have agreed to sell the property to the Conservancy for the
Department of General Services (DGS) approved appraised value of
$560,000.00. The proposed funding breakdown for the project is as follows:
Board Grant: $400,000.00
California Resources Agency.- $100,000.00
Private Donations: $ 60,000.00
TOTAL $560,000.00
It is estimated that an additional $10,000.00 will be needed to cover project-
related costs by the Board, including the DGS' appraisal review fees, bringing the
total proposed allocation for this project to $410,000.00. The proposed funding
source allows for the acquisition of significant natural landscapes, oak
woodlands, foothill habitats and other significant habitat areas, and is consistent
with the purpose of this project.
The terms and conditions of the proposed grant agreement provide that staff of
the Board will review and approve all proposed title documents, appraisals,
preliminary title reports, documents for purchase and sale, escrow instructions
and the instruments of conveyance prior to disbursement of funds directly into an
escrow established for the property.
The Department of Fish and Game has reviewed the proposed project and
recommends acquisition of the property. The proposed acquisition has been
reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
requirements and is categorically exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section
15313, Class 13, as an acquisition of land for wildlife conservation purposes, and
Section 15325, Class 25, as a transfer of an ownership interest in land to
preserve open space. Subject to authorization by the Board, a Notice of
Exemption will be filed with the State Clearinghouse.
Staff recommends that the Wildlife Conservation Board approve this project as
proposed, allocate $410,000.00 from the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe
Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Fund, (Proposition 40), Section
5096.650 for the grant and internal project-related expenses; authorize staff to
enter into appropriate agreements as necessary to accomplish this project; and
authorize staff to proceed substantially as planned.
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20,2008
*9. San Joaquin River Parkway, $275,000.00
River West-Madera Restoration, Planning and Environmental Review,
Madera County
This proposal is to consider the allocation for a grant to the County of Madera for
a cooperative project with the San Joaquin River Conservancy (Conservancy) to
fund the planning and environmental review for the San Joaquin River Parkway,
River West-Madera Restoration Project, to restore 600± acres owned by the San
Joaquin River Conservancy located next to the San Joaquin River, west of
Highway 41 in Madera County.
The River West-Madera site encompasses the Conservancy's Spano property on
the Fresno side of the San Joaquin River, and the Proctor-Broadwell-Cobb and
Sycamore Island properties on the Madera side. This large contiguous, central
Parkway area is among the Conservancy's highest priorities for improving habitat
and for developing public access.
The Madera County Board of Supervisors recently authorized the County
Resources Management Agency to secure a grant from the Conservancy to serve
as the lead agency for planning and reviewing the River West-Madera project.
The County intends to coordinate and integrate development of the Parkway in
the area with its plans for the neighboring Gateway community.
County and Conservancy staff have developed the proposed scope of work for
the project. The County will create a specific plan and project description to
analyze the environmental effects of trails and fishing access, on-site and/or off-
site staging areas, vista points and trailheads, ancillary facilities, informational
signage, and connections to Parkway and community trails. The County intends
to the extent feasible to place particular emphasis on habitat conservation and
enhancement, and on low-intensity public access, with minimal vehicle access,
on-site parking, and restrooms. Where possible the County will incorporate larger
public Parkway access points into the upland neighboring development, while still
meeting the access needs of an aging population and others with limited mobility.
The County will coordinate with project partners, consult with responsible and
trustee agencies, perform environmental review pursuant to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), provide for public involvement and
participation, and secure lead agency approval of a plan for capital and
operational improvements to the River West-Madera area consistent with the San
Joaquin River Parkway Master Plan and Madera County General Plan.
The County will develop support documentation, analyses, and map overlays to
be used in planning habitat conservation and public access, relating to the
following:
• Topography;
• The mapped 100-year floodplain and floodway;
• Biological resources, including sensitive habitats, threatened and
endangered species, jurisdictional areas, invasive species, and degraded
habitats providing opportunity for restoration or enhancement;
Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
• Scenic resources and viewsheds;
• Cultural resources; and
• Pedestrian, and potentially equestrian, access.
The River West-Madera Project will be consistent with the 1995 Madera County
General Plan and 1997 San Joaquin River Parkway Master Plan. The Parkway
Master Plan calls for the conservation, enhancement and restoration of natural
resources, preservation of cultural resources, and public access, recreation, and
education compatible with long-term protection of those resources.
The County will coordinate with the California Department of Water Resources
and the federal Bureau of Reclamation to determine any anticipated San Joaquin
River Restoration Program effects on the project site. The County will also work
with the Restoration Program to achieve a Parkway-ready configuration for habitat
enhancement, trails and public use, and management/emergency access roads.
The project will address current and long-term issues and interests in the area,
including but not limited to:
• Adjacent community development;
• Adjacent employment centers, such as Children's Hospital of Central
California;
• Growth and development of the Gateway community, including trail
connections, and increased visitor population; and
• Possible beneficial use of tertiary treated wastewater from the community
for habitat enhancements or landscaping.
The County will complete an Initial Study and appropriate CEQA documents to
analyze the environmental impacts of the project, define environmental
commitments, and describe mitigation and monitoring responsibilities, and
provide public participation and consult with responsible and trustee agencies as
required. Adjoining landowners have been supportive of the proposed project to
bring Parkway amenities to River West-Madera area. The San Joaquin River
Conservancy will continue to be responsible for maintaining improvements and
managing this property when restoration is completed.
The proposed project will be funded by:
Wildlife Conservation Board $275,000.00
Project costs will be for planning and feasibility studies by the County of Madera
including CEQA documentation.
The proposed funding sources for this project are: the California Clean Water,
Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Fund (Proposition
40), available to the San Joaquin River Conservancy for the acquisition,
development, rehabilitation, restoration and protection of land and water
resources; and the Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air and
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2000 (Proposition 12), available to the San
Joaquin River Conservancy for the acquisition, development, enhancement, and
protection of land. Both sources of funding are consistent with the objectives of
this project.
The project is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) under Statutory Exemptions, California Code of Regulations, Title 14,
Section 15262 — Planning and Feasibility Studies. Subject to approval by the
Wildlife Conservation Board, the appropriate Notice of Exemption will be filed with
the State Clearinghouse.
Staff recommends that the Wildlife Conservation Board approve this project as
proposed-, allocate $130,376.00 from the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe
Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Fund (Proposition 40), Section
5096.650(b)(5), and $144,624.00 from the Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean
Water, Clean Air and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2000 (Proposition 12),
Section 50969.355; authorize staff to enter into appropriate agreements
necessary to accomplish this project, and authorize staff to proceed substantially
as planned.
*10. Shaver Lake Boat Launch Boarding Float $156,000.00
Fresno County
This proposal Is to consider the allocation for a grant to the County of Fresno for
a cooperative project with Shaver Lake Marina and Southern California Edison to
replace the worn-out boarding floats at the Shaver Lake Boat Launch Facility,
located approximately 45 miles northeast of the City of Fresno on the north side
of Shaver Lake, in Fresno County.
Shaver Lake, with a surface area of 2,176 ± acres and 13 miles of shoreline, was
created in the early 1900's when Southern California Edison Company (SCE)
built a dam on Stevenson Creek. The lake boasts two public boat ramps, one at
Camp Edison on the southeastern side of the lake, and the subject site located
on the north shore. The north shore ramp was constructed in 1966 and is
operated by the County through agreement with SCE, the landowner. The
County does not charge a fee for parking or launching.
Shaver Lake is a very popular destination for local anglers as well as anglers
from all over the State. At around 5,300 feet in elevation and surrounded by pine
trees and granite, the lake provides a scenic destination to anglers containing
healthy populations of kokanee, rainbow trout and a resident population of small-
mouth bass. The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) also manages an annual
fish stocking program at the lake.
To satisfy the ever increasing use on the lake, the Board approved projects in
February 2005 and again in November of that year to upgrade the facility by
enlarging the ramp from two lanes to four, constructing additional parking and
providing a second restroom. The boarding floats, which were beginning to age,
were not replaced at that time, and in fact have provided an additional three
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
seasons of heavy use. However, the exposed Styrofoam in the floats could be
released into the lake as it ages, which would be deleterious if consumed by fish
and wildlife. Furthermore, both wet and dry rot in the substructure and decking of
the boarding floats make the structure unsound and repairs impractical. The
project will replace the entire boarding float using fully encapsulated floats, and
replace the substructure and decking. The width will be increased from the
current six feet to eight feet, to accommodate boarding and unloading from both
sides.
The proposed funding breakdown for the project is as follows:
Wildlife Conservation Board $156,000.00
Shaver Lake Marina 156,000.00
TOTAL AVAILABLE FUNDING $312,000.00
Project costs will be for mobilization and demobilization; demolition of existing
floats and abutment; new eight-foot-wide by 250-foot-long boarding float; new
transition plate; replacement of existing electrical lights; and project design,
construction supervision and administration. The project also qualifies for a
Federal Sport Fish Restoration Act grant that will reimburse the WCB for 75
percent of the project costs.
The proposed funding source for this project is the Wildlife Restoration Fund,
which provides funding for the construction of public access facilities and is
consistent with the objectives of this project. The DFG has reviewed this proposal
and recommends it for funding by the Board. This project is exempt from the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Class 2 of Categorical
Exemptions, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15302, as a
replacement of an existing structure of substantially the same purpose and
capacity. Subject to approval by the Board, the appropriate Notice of Exemption
will be filed with the State Clearinghouse. The landowner has agreed to the
long-term management and maintenance of the facility.
Staff recommends that the Wildlife Conservation Board approve this project as
proposed; allocate $156,000.00 from the Wildlife Restoration Fund (Minor Capital
Outlay); authorize staff to enter into appropriate agreements necessary to
accomplish this project; and authorize staff and the Department of Fish and Game
to proceed substantially as planned.
*11. Working and Learning Among the Oaks, Phase 11, $139,411.00
San Luis Obispo County
This proposal is to consider an allocation for a grant to the Regents of the
University of California, Berkeley, for an oak woodland public education and
outreach project. This project is designed to communicate the social, economic,
agricultural and biological benefits associated with the conservation of oak
woodlands in San Luis Obispo County.
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20,2008
Consistent with the provisions of the Oak Woodlands Conservation Act, the
proposal "Working and Learning Among the Oaks/Phase 11", represents the
continuation of a two part, three-year effort. It is designed to (1) expand K-6
grade student understanding and appreciation of oak woodland ecology and
conservation within the working landscape of a cattle ranch; (2) promote oak
woodland conservation tools and practices that can be implemented on privately-
owned lands, and (3) develop and implement a rancher teaching and evaluation
tool to measure and evaluate the short and long-term application of oak
conservation practices.
The private landowners of the historic Santa Margarita Ranch, located adjacent to
the Santa Margarita School, have donated the use of approximately 15 acres to
the Santa Margarita School District for supervised, public educational
opportunities. In addition-, the landowners have agreed to continue working with
the school administrators and teachers and the 4-H Science Experiences and
Resources for Informal Educational Settings (4-H SERIES) and provide talks to
the school children on operating a working cattle ranch amongst the oak
woodlands.
PART 1: Santa Margarita Oak Woodland Trail Project, Learning Among the Oaks
As proposed, the project will continue to provide hands on environmental,
conservation and oak woodland educational opportunities for grammar school
children attending the Santa Margarita School. With minimal staffing and
maximum reliance on the use of existing resources, collaborative opportunities,
and volunteers, the following accomplishments were achieved during the first
phase of the Board funded project during the 2005-2008 school years:
• Developed study themes for grades K-6 to maximize correlations with
State Science Standards and provided a full range of oak learning
experiences. Through collaboration with 4-H members and Cal Poly
students, created instructional materials for use on the trail and in the
classroom including two trail activity booklets, one for K-3`d grade students
and one for 4th—66 grade students. These booklets have provided a fun
way to prepare students for hikes and to enrich their learning experiences.
• Installed a trail entrance sign and gate with donated labor and materials.
• Established a Cal Poly internship program, supported by stipends paid by
Santa Margarita Community Forestry. Cal Poly students serve as trail
guides, present lessons and assist with the development and organization
of curriculum resources.
• Established a partnership with Coyote Road School naturalistlinterpretive
specialist to help train student intems and volunteer docents to provide field
lessons, e.g. wildlife tracking/observation skills. In partnership with Pacific
Wildlife Care, USDA-MRCS, Santa Margarita Ranch, 4-H, Farm Bureau Ag
Education Committee, Central Coast Natural History Association/State
Parks Docents, and others provided curriculum materials and oak
woodland enrichment activities.
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20,2008
• Collaborated with the Native Tree Committee to plant oak seedlings along
the trail and each of six ls'—Td grade classrooms planted their own grove
of four seedlings in celebration of Arbor Day 2007; installed seven songbird
nest boxes and developed two trail "camps,"one for K-3rd grade classes
and one for e4h grade classes. The areas have provided a setting for
naturalist talks tied to hike themes. Collaborated with a Cal Poly student to
create a classroom nature journal to provide a place for classes to record
their trail discoveries and to track the development of their oak seedlings.
• Developed three thematic oak trail teaching trunks with touchable learning
tools. These resources should be made available to local educators
through the California Regional Environmental Education Community
Network, Region 8.
This proposal requests funds to continue with the existing program and
accomplish the following goals:
• To expand the use of the oak trail as a teaching tool to engage students
and their families in hands-on, real world lessons in oak woodland ecology
and ranch conservation practices. To make the program resources
replicable and available to other schools and groups and to work with
teachers to develop and pilot test a program adapted for special education
students at Santa Margarita School.
• Work with the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County staff to
produce an accurate trail map, continue working with the California
Conservation Corps to install numbered trail markers and unveil an online
trail nature journal, including photos and discovery notes in school
newsletter.
• Continue to improve and refine curriculum resources, including the three
oak trail teaching trunks, and use regional agriculture and environmental
education networks to make these available (on loan)to local educators;
set-up trail nature displays in classrooms as a way for classes to share
their most interesting discoveries. The nature displays will be portable and
can be used to create oak trail mini-museum for school and community
events.
• Host occasional 'talk on the trail"events to bring ranching and non-
ranching families together for informal discussions on a variety of
conservation topics.
PART 11 — Oak Woodland Owner Outreach Working Among the Oaks
The second phase of the project will develop and provide educational and
outreach efforts that demonstrate to private landowners of working landscapes
the profitability of agriculture with the conservation of natural resources. A series
of"tailgate" meetings will be held on local ranches. The "tailgate" meetings will be
modeled after the award winning Central Coast Vineyard Team (CCVT), a grower
group of individuals whose mission is to promote sustainable vineyard practices
on the central coast of California.
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
The CCVT tailgate meetings were highly successful and drew good attendance
because they were short in length (half day), were held at sites where growers
could witness the sustainable practices being discussed, provided opportunities
for grower-to-grower information exchanges and provided take home tips
presented in a user-friendly format.
Following the CCVT tailgate model and philosophy of"bring knowledge or
expertise to the ranch and demonstrate how to use it," this proposal will provide
eleven "tailgate" meetings designed to bring ranchers, growers and private land
managers and developers together for a series of tailgate meetings targeted to
demonstrate sustainable agriculture in oak woodlands. The series of"tailgate"
meetings will provide growers and ranchers with information that, according to
agriculturists and extension advisors, is useful and beneficial to growers and
ranchers interested in preserving oak woodlands. The meetings will focus on the
following.
-
Habitat enhancement through agriculture;
• How to establish oaks;
• Managing oaks around the ranch and ranchettes;
• Monitoring and evaluation of natural resources;
• The benefits of biodiversity to agriculture; and
• Cost/Benefit ratios of oak woodland enhancement through agriculture.
In addition to the tailgate meetings, this proposal will allow for "Tailgate
Presentations" at monthly meetings held by the Native Tree Committee of San
Luis Obispo County. The purpose of the presentations is to keep participants
aware of issues impacting working landscapes and oak woodland preservation
practices and techniques beneficial to landowners and residents of San Luis
Obispo County.
The final component of this proposal will be to measure the benefits of this
education and outreach effort and the effectiveness of the teaching methods.
Ranchers will be given an opportunity to evaluate and measure where they were
with respect to being good stewards prior to the series of informational tailgate
meetings and again after the meetings. The effectiveness of the tailgate meetings
will be measured with a before and after evaluation tool designed to capture
landowner reactions to the meetings.
Key collaborators in this project include the local farm advisor, university natural
resource specialists, Department of Fish and Game biologists, NRCS
Conservationists, San Luis Obispo County Planning Department and
representatives from farming and ranching organizations.
Cost estimates for this project, which have been reviewed and approved by staff,
are as follows:
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20,2008
PART I -- LEARNING AMONG THE OAKS
Salaries and Benefits
Staff Salaries (Program Assistant—SRA 11) $34,818.00
Benefits (23%) 1,044.00
Naturalist Lessons 5,000.00
Trail Maintenance (California Conservation Corps) 6,000.00
Trail GPS Map Development 400.00
Sub Total.- Salaries and Benefits: $47,262.00
Supplies and Expenses
Printing, laminating, training materials 4,500.00
Science materials 6,000.00
Transportation 1,800.00
Sub Total. Supplies and Expenses: $12,300.00
Total: Salaries, Benefits and Supplies, 3 years: $59,562.00
PART 11 --WORKING AMONG THE OAKS
Salaries and Benefits
Staff Salaries (Program Assistant—SRA) $47,460.00
Benefits (23%) 10,915.00
Sub Total: Salaries and Benefits:
$58,375.00
Supplies and Expenses
11 Workshops (advertising, reproduction and postage) $4,400.00
Speakers, travel and lodging (1 per workshop) 4,400.00
Sub Total: Supplies and Expenses: $8,800.00
Total: Salaries, Benefits and Supplies, 3 years: $67,175.00
TOTAL GRANT REQUEST
Learning Among the Oaks: $59,562.00
Working Among the Oaks: 67,175.00
Sub Total: $126,737.00
UC Berkeley Overhead @ 10% 12,674.00
Grant Total: Salaries, Benefits and Supplies, 3 years: $139,411.00
Consistent with Public Resources Code section 15061 (b)(3), this project is not
subject to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act. The
proposed funding source allows for education and outreach efforts on the
conservation of oak woodland habitat, and is consistent with the proposed project.
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
Staff recommends that the Wildlife Conservation Board approve this project as
proposed; allocate $139,411.00 from the California Safe Drinking Water, Water
Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Fund of 2006,
Section 75055 (d)(2), per the Oak Woodland Conservation Act; authorize staff to
enter into appropriate agreements as necessary to accomplish this project; and
authorize staff and the Department of Fish and Game to proceed substantially as
planned.
*12. Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve, Expansion 1, $469,000.00
Santa Barbara County
This proposal is to consider the acquisition of 20± acres as an addition to the
Department of Fish and Game's (DFG) Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve
(Reserve), in northern Santa Barbara County. The purposes of the project are
for the protection of rare and threatened species that may occur on the parcels.
The 20± acres proposed for acquisition consist of three unimproved parcels
situated at the intersection of Burton Mesa Boulevard and Harris Grade Road, in
the community of Lompoc, approximately nine miles east of the Pacific Ocean.
The three parcels are owned by the State of California and currently under the
jurisdiction of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The
parcels are surplus to Caltrans' area plan and are proposed for jurisdictional
transfer to the DFG.
With the exception of the Mesa Oaks residential development which adjoins one
of the three parcels, the subject property is bound almost entirely by the Reserve.
The Reserve, which consists of approximately 5,200 acres, is owned by the State
of California, administered by the State Lands Commission, and managed by the
DFG.
General topography consists of gentle to moderate sloping surfaces. The
Reserve supports numerous sensitive animal species such as yellow warbler,
Bell's sage sparrow, Cooper's hawk, Swainson's thrush, vernal pool fairy shrimp,
California red-legged frog, California horned lizard, garter snake, western gray
squirrel, fox and desert woodrat. The Reserve also supports high plant diversity.
For example, the Reserve is approximately 90 percent covered in Burton Mesa
chaparral, an extremely rare plant community type of Central Coast Maritime
Chaparral. Several sensitive and declining species, including two rare
manzanitas, occupy the property.
The subject sites are corner parcels zoned for residential purposes and situated
within one mile of residential subdivisions. As such, the property is vulnerable to
future development. Acquisition of these parcels will buffer the Reserve in this
location from nearby encroaching development.
Public access is limited to walking trails only. Addition of these parcels would
allow the DFG to better control access from the adjacent roads and prevent
unauthorized access and uses in this area of the Reserve. The DFG proposes to
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20,2008 -
manage the area primarily to preserve open space and significant habitat as part
of the existing Reserve and at minimal additional expense.
Caltrans has agreed to transfer jurisdiction of the parcels to the DFG at the
appraised value of$459,000.00, as approved by the Department of General
Services {DGS). It is estimated that an additional $10,000.00 will be needed to
cover project-related costs by the Wildlife Conservation Board (Board), including
the DGS' appraisal review fees, bringing the total proposed allocation for this
project to $469,000.00. The proposed funding source allows for the acquisition,
protection and restoration of coastal watershed and adjacent lands located in
Santa Barbara County, and is consistent with the proposed project.
The terms and conditions of the proposed grant agreement provide that staff of
the Board will review and approve all proposed title documents, appraisals,
preliminary title reports, documents for purchase and sale, escrow instructions
and the instruments of conveyance prior to disbursement of funds directly into an
escrow established for the property.
The proposed acquisition has been reviewed for compliance with the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements and is proposed as exempt
under CEQA Guidelines Section 15313, Class 13, as an acquisition of land for
wildlife conservation purposes, and Section 15325, Class 25, as a transfer of an
ownership interest in land to preserve open space. Subject to authorization by
the Board, a Notice of Exemption will be filed with the State Clearinghouse.
Staff recommends that the Wildlife Conservation Board approve this project as
proposed; allocate $469,000.00 from the Habitat Conservation Fund, (Proposition
117), Section 2786(b)(c) (P50 SoCal) for the acquisition and internal project-
related expenses; authorize staff to enter into appropriate agreements as
necessary to accomplish this project; and authorize staff and the Department of
Fish and Game to proceed substantially as planned.
*13. Western Riverside County MSHCP, $177,000.00
Expansions 4 and 5, Riverside County
This proposal is to consider the allocation for two grants to the Western Riverside
County Regional Conservation Authority (Authority) to acquire two adjoining
properties totaling 80± acres near the City of Lake Elsinore in Riverside County,
and to consider the acceptance of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grant and
approval of two subgrants of the federal funds to the Authority to be applied
toward the acquisitions. The purposes of this project are to protect threatened
and endangered species, wildlife corridors and to further support joint state,
federal and local Natural Community Conservation Planning efforts in western
Riverside County including the County's Western Riverside Multiple Species
Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP).
The subject properties are currently under private ownership. The topography is
rolling to hilly. The vegetation consists of mixed grasslands and Riversidean
sage scrub, with riparian corridors on the north and south boundaries. The land
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
is undeveloped, except for several dirt access roads. There are no
improvements on the properties.
Western Riverside County is one of the most ecologically important areas in the
United States and arguably contains the most listed species of any region in
California. The area is currently occupied by many types of animals and plants
from swallows to golden eagles, jackrabbits to bobcats and the threatened
coastal California gnatcatcher, endangered Stephen's kangaroo rat, endangered
least Bell's vireo, endangered Munz's onion and other sensitive species. All are
habitat specialists, relying on grasslands, sage scrub and riparian plant
communities, all of which are rapidly disappearing in southern California.
Acquisition of properties in this area is important in a broader ecological context,
providing east-west-south corridors for wildlife, and contributing to the genetic
viability of a number of native species.
Western Riverside County has been experiencing unprecedented growth and
rapid development. The amount of open space and natural lands is rapidly
declining as these areas are converted to housing and commercial uses. These
factors create an urgent need to conserve remaining available lands to support
populations of native species and habitats and to ensure the recovery of listed
species. Failure to acquire such property when it is available will result in a lost
opportunity that may not come again as open lands become scarcer and more
expensive.
These properties will be owned and managed by the Authority (a joint powers
authority made up of the county and 14 cities) as a part of its mission of creating
a habitat reserve system of 153,000 acres (of which over 39,000 acres have
been conserved to date) to protect the 146 species covered by the MSHCP. The
Authority produces an "Initial Management Evaluation and Recommendations
Report" for each parcel of land they acquire, basing future public use on the
conditions found at the individual sites. In general, educational and low impact
recreational activities, such as hiking, horseback riding, photography and bird
watching are encouraged at appropriate locations so long as they do not interfere
with the basic preservation goals. Hunting and off-highway vehicle riding are not
permitted on Authority property.
The fair market value of the two properties, as determined by appraisals approved
by the Department of General Services (DGS), is $1,408,500.00. Both sellers,
however, have agreed to accept lower purchase prices as set forth below. The
proposed funding breakdown is as follows:
Expansion 4 Expansion 5 Total
USFWS
Grant: $650,472.00 $258,000.00 $908,472.00
Board
Grants: $99,518.00 $67,000.00 $166,518.00
Total price: $750,000.00 $325,000.00 $1,075000.00
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
It is estimated that an additional $10,482.00 will be needed to cover project-
related costs including appraisal review fees by the DGS, bringing the total
proposed allocation for this project to $177,000.00. The proposed funding source
allows for the acquisition or protection of habitat or habitat corridors that promote
the recovery of threatened, endangered or fully protected species where
matching contributions of funds from other public agencies, private parties or
nonprofit organizations are obtained, and is consistent with the purpose of this
project.
The terms and conditions of the proposed grant agreements and agreements to
subgrant provide that staff of the Board will review and approve all proposed title
documents, appraisals, preliminary title reports, documents for purchase and
sale, escrow instructions and the instruments of conveyance prior to
disbursement of funds directly into an escrow accounts established for the
purchase of the properties.
The Department of Fish and Game has reviewed this project and recommends
approval of the acquisitions. The proposed project has been reviewed for
compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements
and is proposed as exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15313, Class 13, as
an acquisition of land for wildlife conservation purposes, and Section 15325,
Class 25, as a transfer of an ownership interest in land to preserve open space.
Subject to approval by the Board, a Notice of Exemption will be filed with the
State Clearinghouse.
Staff recommends that the Wildlife Conservation Board approve this project as
proposed; accept the Habitat Conservation Planning Land Acquisition Grant from
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and approve two Agreements to Subgrant the
federal funds in an amount totaling $908,472.00 to the Western Riverside County
Regional Conservation Authority; allocate $177,000.00 from the Safe
Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air, And Coastal Protection Bond Fund,
(Proposition 12), Section 5096.350(a)(5) for two acquisition grants and internal
project-related expenses; authorize staff to enter into appropriate agreements as
necessary to accomplish this project; and authorize staff and the Department of
Fish and Game to proceed substantially as planned.
*14. Whitewater Canyon, MacKenzie Ranch, $410,000.00
Riverside County
This proposal is to consider an allocation for a grant to the Friends of the Desert
Mountains (Friends) in a cooperative project with the Coachella Valley Mountains
Conservancy (CVMC), the Resources Legacy Fund Foundation (RLFF) and the
U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to acquire 260± acres to protect
endangered species and wildlife corridors located in Riverside County. This
proposal is also to consider the acceptance of two USFWS Recovery Land
Acquisition grants and the approval of two subgrants of the federal funds to the
Friends to be applied toward the acquisition.
The subject property consists of two larger parcels totaling 229± acres and 78
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
smaller parcels totaling 31± acres. The property is located about four miles north
of Interstate 10 and is bisected by Whitewater River Canyon Road. Whitewater
Canyon is located in the "San Gorgonio Pass" about 12 miles east of Banning and
about 10 miles west of Desert Hot Springs. The topography ranges from nearly
flat adjacent to the Whitewater River to moderately sloping near the sides of the
canyon. Residential development has been sporadic over the years and this
acquisition as proposed by Friends will limit nearly all development in the canyon.
This project is the last major acquisition within the canyon. Friends has an active
acquisition program and has acquired nearly 700± acres in the canyon with the
assistance of the CVMC, RLFF, USFWS and The Nature Conservancy.
Like the entire canyon, the property proposed for acquisition contains a variety of
landscapes and habitats, primarily high quality riparian woodlands and upland
desert scrub habitat for the endangered least Bell's vireo, southwestern willow
flycatcher and the rare summer tanager. The threatened desert tortoise utilizes
the upland portions of the property. The property is also historic habitat for the
endangered southwestern arroyo toad and is potential habitat for the endangered
triple-ribbed milkvetch. This acquisition will protect high quality riparian
woodlands, the Whitewater River and a crucial wildlife movement corridor along
the river for numerous species between the San Bernardino Mountains to the
north and the San Jacinto Mountains to the south and east. The canyon is also
an important fluvial sand transport for the Whitewater Floodplain Conservation
Area located northeasterly of Palm Springs. The associated "blow sand"
originating in the floodplain also provides sand dune habitat for the Coachella
Valley fringe-toed lizard.
The Friends will retain ownership and management of the proposed acquisition.
The Friends will manage the subject properties in conjunction with its other
holdings in the area and in conjunction with the Bureau of Land Management and
the Wildlands Conservancy, both of which have large ownerships in the area.
The subject property is appropriate for public access and public uses including
hiking, photography and bird watching. The subject property is also a potential
route for a possible future realignment of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.
The property owners have agreed to sell the properties to the Friends at the
appraised value of$2,731,404.00. The appraised value has been approved by
the Department of General Services (DGS). The proposed project funding is as
follows:
Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy Grant $1,521,404.00
USFWS Grant $ 200,000.00
USFWS Grant $ 335,000.00
Resources Legacy Fund Foundation $ 275,000.00
Wildlife Conservation Board Grant 400,000.00
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
TOTAL $2731,404.00
It is estimated that an additional $10,000.00 will be needed for the appraisal
review costs by the DGS, bringing the total proposed allocation for this project to
$410,000.00. The proposed funding source allows for the acquisition or
protection of habitat or habitat corridors that promote the recovery of threatened,
endangered or fully protected species where matching contributions of funds from
other public agencies, private parties or nonprofit organizations are obtained, and
is consistent with the purpose of the proposed project.
The terms and conditions of the proposed grants and subgrants require that
Board staff review and approve all proposed title documents, appraisals,
preliminary title reports, agreements for purchase and sale, escrow instructions
and instruments of conveyance prior to disbursement of funds directly into the
escrow accounts for the acquisitions.
The DFG has reviewed the project and recommends approval of the grant. The
project has been reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) requirements and is proposed as exempt under CEQA
Guidelines Section 15313, Class 13, as an acquisition of land for fish and wildlife
conservation purposes, and under Section 15325, Class 25, as a transfer of an
ownership interest in land to preserve open space and habitat. Subject to
approval by the Wildlife Conservation Board, a Notice of Exemption will be filed
with the State Clearinghouse.
Staff recommends that the Wildlife Conservation Board approve this project as
proposed; accept two Recovery Land Acquisition Grants from the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service in the amount of$535,000.00 and approve an Agreement to
Subgrant the federal grant funds to the Friends of the Desert Mountains; allocate
$410,000.00 from the Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air and
Coastal Protection Bond Fund, (Proposition 12), Section 5096.350(a)(5) for the
grant and internal project-related expenses; authorize staff to enter into
appropriate agreements as necessary to accomplish this project; and authorize
staff and the Department of Fish and Game to proceed substantially as planned.
*15. Crestridge Preserve, South Crest, Expansion 3 $250,000.00
San Diego County
This proposal is to consider the allocation for a grant to the Endangered Habitats
League, Inc. (League) to acquire 29± acres in eastern San Diego County to
protect threatened and endangered species and a key wildlife corridor, and to
further joint federal, state and local Natural Community Conservation Planning
efforts in San Diego including the San Diego County Multiple Species
Conservation Plan (MSCP). This proposal is also to consider the acceptance of a
Recovery Land Acquisition grant from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS) and the approval of a subgrant of the federal funds to the League to be
applied toward the acquisition.
The property includes moderately to steeply sloping, privately-owned vacant land
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20,2008
located near the community of Crest, immediately east of the City of El Cajon.
Primary access to this portion of San Diego County is by way of Interstate 8, the
principal east/west freeway traversing the County. Residential development
occurs on small lots in the immediate vicinity, and west of the project within the
boundary of the City of El Cajon. The parcel includes a moderately sloping site
with mountain views suitable for residential development.
A lot line adjustment to finalize the parcel at the contemplated size is pending.
Upon Wildlife Conservation Board (Board) approval of funding, the landowners
are prepared to submit lot line adjustment applications for final approval. Board
funding would be contingent upon formal County approval of the lot line
adjustment with recorded legal access to the parcel.
In 1999, the Board funded the Department of Fish and Game's (DFG) acquisition
of the nearby 2,400± acre Crestridge Ecological Reserve, currently operated by
the League. The DFG is in the process of taking the steps necessary to transfer
the Ecological Reserve property to the League, and intends to retain a
conservation easement. The Board has also granted funds to the League to
acquire five nearby properties totaling nearly 500 acres.
Like the nearby Ecological Reserve, the proposed project property contains a
variety of landscapes and habitats, primarily including coastal sage scrub habitat
for the California gnatcatcher, and habitat for over 50 other sensitive and
protected species. Further, the acquisition is located in a critical "biological core
and linkage area" in the South County Subarea Plan of the County of San Diego's
MSCP established pursuant to the Natural Community Conservation Planning
Act. The acquisition would increase the protected block of biologically diverse
habitat, augmenting habitat corridors between lands south of Interstate 8 and
those to the north, including the USFWS's San Diego National Wildlife Refuge
and the Cleveland National Forest.
The League would accept ownership and management of the proposed
acquisition. Ultimately, the League intends to transfer the property, along with
other holdings, to the Endangered Habitats Conservancy (Conservancy) for
perpetual management. The proposed grant agreement provides for subsequent
transfer of the property to the Conservancy, with the Conservancy assuming all
obligations under the grant agreement. The League (ultimately Conservancy)
would manage the subject properties in conjunction with the existing Ecological
Reserve and other nearby acquisitions. Compatible public uses include hiking,
photography, bird watching and the League's unique on-site educational program,
which assists in development of standards-based multidisciplinary programs
combining science, technology, art, history and language arts.
The property owners have agreed to sell the property to the League at the
appraised value of$475,000.00. The appraised value has been approved by the
Department of General Services (DGS). The proposed funding breakdown is as
follows:
Appraised Value $475,000.00
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20,2008
USFWS Grant $235,000.00
Board Grant $240,000.00
TOTAL: $475,000.00
It is estimated that an additional $10,000.00 will be needed for the appraisal
review costs by the DGS, bringing the total recommended allocation for this
project to $250,000.00. The proposed funding source allows for the acquisition of
real property to implement or assist in the development of a Natural Community
Conservation Plan, and is consistent with the purpose of this project.
The terms and conditions of the proposed grant and subgrant require that Board
staff review and approve all proposed title documents, appraisals, preliminary title
reports, agreements for purchase and sale, escrow instructions and instruments
of conveyance prior to disbursement of funds directly into the escrow account for
the acquisition.
The DFG has reviewed the project and recommends approval of the grant. The
project has been reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) requirements and is proposed as exempt under CEQA
Guidelines Section 15313, Class 13, as an acquisition of land for fish and wildlife
conservation purposes, and under Section 15325, Class 25, as a transfer of an
ownership interest in land to preserve open space and habitat. Subject to
approval by the Board, a Notice of Exemption will be filed with the State
Clearinghouse.
Staff recommends that the Wildlife Conservation Board approve this project as
proposed; accept the Recovery Land Acquisition Grant from the U. S. Fish and
Wildlife Service in the amount of$235,000.00, and approve an Agreement to
Subgrant the federal grant funds to the Endangered Habitats League; allocate
$250,000.00 from the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood
Control, River and Coastal Protection Fund of 2006, (Proposition 84), Section
75055(c) for the grant and internal project-related expenses; authorize staff to
enter into appropriate agreements necessary to accomplish this project; and
authorize staff and the Department of Fish and Game to proceed substantially as
planned.
*16. The Environmental Trust Bankruptcy, $30,000.00
Multiple Southern California Counties
This proposal is to consider authorization for the Department of Fish and Game
(Department) to accept properties and proportionate endowment payments in
connection with the bankruptcy, winding up and liquidation of The Environmental
Trust (TET). This phase of the project is a cooperative effort involving the
Department, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the City of
San Diego (City), the County of San Diego (County), and other government and
non-profit entities to facilitate the successful implementation of TET's Liquidating
Plan of Reorganization (Plan) confirmed by the United States Bankruptcy Court.
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20,2008
TET is a nonprofit corporation organized in 1990 to acquire, maintain and monitor
environmentally threatened and sensitive real property and engage in
environmental land mitigation and credit sales. On March 23, 2005, TET filed its
Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition. At the time of its bankruptcy filing, TET's real
property assets consisted of approximately 127 properties (± 3,600 acres) held in
fee title or conservation easement (Conserved Property). TET acquired most of
the Conserved Property in connection with mitigation obligations of private third
parties under federal, State or local requirements.
After notice and hearing held on September 8, 2005, and, at TET's request, the
Court determined that the Disclosure Statement filed with the Court adequately
described what the Plan envisioned. The Court confirmed the Plan on July 6,
2006. The confirmed Plan provides for transfers of the Conserved Property and
proportionate endowment payments to non-profit organizations, State or local
government entities in an effort to ensure protection of the habitat and open
space on the lands. The properties currently being considered for acceptance by
the Department are located primarily in San Diego County. Other counties
containing properties covered by the Plan are Imperial, Kern, Riverside and San
Bernardino.
The confirmed Plan provides for TET's liquidation and complete cessation of
business and operations. It is the operative legal document that determines the
rights and duties of the parties, including TET, creditors and parties in interest. In
its Disclosure Statement describing the Plan, TET stated that it believes that most
of its real property assets have no marketable value due to their environmentally
sensitive habitat and/or title conditions.
TET has offered options to the Conserved Property to non-profit organizations
and/or governmental agencies, together with a proportionate amount of TET's
remaining endowment funds, subject to certain maintenance, monitoring and
management obligations (e.g., weed abatement, re-vegetation, restoration,
fencing, patrolling and elimination of exotic species). Up until year-end 2000 TET
used approximately 20 percent of the endowment monies it received to meet its
general overhead and operating obligations. As a result, the endowment funds
available to be distributed with the Conserved Property are insufficient to pay for
all of TET's contractual obligations for maintenance, monitoring and management.
For those properties that DFG accepts, the confirmed Plan provides for the
assumption of TET's maintenance, monitoring and management obligations only
to the extent the endowment and any other means of funding for such purpose is
available.
This proposal is to request authorization for the Department to proceed with the
acceptance of Conserved Property pursuant to the Plan. Staff will report back to
the Board with information concerning specific properties as they are accepted by
the Department. The informational item will include the location, acreage,
property interest, proportionate endowment payment received and costs
associated with each property acquired.
The project has been reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meetinq, November 20,2008
Quality Act (CEQA) requirements and is proposed as exempt under CEQA
Guidelines Section 15313, Class 13, as acquisitions of land for wildlife
conservation purposes, and under Section 15325, Class 25, as transfers of
ownership interests in land to preserve open space. A Notice of Exemption will
be filed with the State Clearinghouse for each acquisition.
The proposed funding source allows for the acquisition and protection of habitat
that promotes the recovery of threatened and endangered species, and
ecosystems such as riparian and wetland areas.
Staff recommends that the Wildlife Conservation Board authorize the Department
of Fish and Game to accept interests in Conserved Property and proportionate
endowment payments pursuant to the confirmed Plan; direct staff to report back
to the Wildlife Conservation Board with specific project information as properties
or property interests are acquired, allocate $30,000.00 from the Safe Drinking
Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection
fund of 2006, (Proposition 84), Section 75055(b), for the project-related expenses;
authorize staff to enter into appropriate agreements as necessary to accomplish
this project; and authorize staff and the Department of Fish and Game to proceed
substantially as planned.
17. Habitat Restoration, Mill Creek Watershed, Phase 11, $2,869,000.00
Del Norte County
This proposal is to consider the allocation for a grant to the Smith River Alliance
(Grantee) for a partnership project with the Department of Fish and Game (DFG),
National Park Service (NPS), State Coastal Conservancy (SCC), and the
Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to restore and enhance wildlife
habitat within the Redwoods State Park. The project area is referred to as the Mill
Creek property, located approximately 6 miles southeast of Crescent City,
adjacent to Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and Redwood National Park.
The Mill Creek property is a 25,000 acre temperate rain forest located on
California's North Coast. Characterized by steep mountainous terrain typical of
the Coast Range, the property primarily includes the Mill Creek and Rock Creek
watersheds which are both critical salmon bearing streams and tributaries to the
Wild and Scenic Smith River. Once home to vast stands of ancient redwoods, the
property was identified as a priority area for protection by Save-the-Redwoods
League in the 1920's. However, the property was intensively managed for
commercial timber harvest from the 1950's to 2000. Much of the forest's natural
diversity was lost as a result of commercial harvest of nearly all of property's
ancient trees, replaced by tightly spaced young trees planted for future harvest.
In addition, logging often occurred down to the water's edge, degrading the
riparian environment and its associated stream system. Miles of roads were built
to facilitate timber harvest.
In 2002 a coalition of public and private partners, including the Grantee, Save the
Redwoods League (SRL), Wildlife Conservation Board (Board), DFG, SCC and
California Trout purchased the Mill Creek property with the goal of restoring it and
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20,2008
adding it to the Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. At the time of acquisition,
the property was transferred to DPR for permanent protection. Acquisition of the
property was a crucial first step in protecting the land and its habitats. It was
realized at the time though, that extensive restoration work would be essential to
the area's long-term protection.
The goal of ecosystem rehabilitation is to promote self-maintaining ecosystem
processes by reducing the footprint of past land use activities and promoting the
development of old-forest characteristics. Achieving this goal will optimize
benefits to indigenous fish and wildlife habitat, while providing opportunities for
compatible public park use, research and education. The vision is to restore the
Mill Creek property to its natural state, with large old-growth trees and fish filled
streams flowing through a diverse landscape. In time, the natural balance of the
forest will be restored. Replicable best practices will be defined for the restoration
of other former industrial forestlands statewide where clear-cutting and other high-
impact practices were implemented.
The Mill Creek property offers a premier opportunity to combine cutting-edge
forest restoration with the restoration of fish and wildlife habitat, providing
protection and opportunity for recovery of critically important salmon and
steelhead populations, including the federally endangered coho salmon.
Recognizing the need to implement a coordinated ecological restoration program
over several years, SRL and SCC sponsored development of Interim
Management Recommendations (IMR) to guide emergency restoration activities
to be undertaken until a long-term integrated ecological restoration plan is
developed. The IMR identified road .decommissioning and management as one
of three major categories of emergency activities needing immediate attention.
DPR then completed a road inventory identifying the roads, stream crossings and
landings with a high probability of delivering sediment to streams thus impairing
salmonid habitat and water quality.
Through road decommissioning and erosion control, along with aquatic and
terrestrial ecosystem enhancements and monitoring, the first phase of this
project, funded by WCB in 2004, began the process of protecting and promoting
the conservation values at Mill Creek. So far 37 miles of logging roads have been
removed, 1600 acres of previously logged and replanted forest land have been
thinned to achieve greater growth rates and more natural stand density and
composition, 15 in-stream large woody debris structures have been installed, a
native plant nursery at the former mill site has been built, and 4 acres of riparian
conifers have been reestablished in alder dominated areas. It was understood at
the time of the award of this first grant that further work would need to be done.
In general, the second phase of the project will continue the road removal work of
the first phase. Specifically, an additional 22 miles of roads will be removed
including removal and revegetation of 94 stream crossings, 69 landings and 46
landslide sites. Two culverted road crossings will be also be removed on Kelly
Creek, a tributary to the East Fork of Mill Creek to facilitate fish passage on this
stream.
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008 -
The proposed funding breakdown for this project is as follows:
Wildlife Conservation Board $2,869,000.00
Department of Fish and Game 800,000.00
National Park Service 500,000.00
State Coastal Conservancy 491,540.00
Department of Parks and Recreation 471,000.00
TOTAL AVAILABLE FUNDING $5,131,540.00
Project costs will be for road removal; erosion control and revegetation; and
project administration.
The proposed funding source for this project is the California Clean Water, Clean
Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Fund (Prop. 40) under the
California Riparian Habitat Conservation Program. This source provides funding
for the protection, restoration or enhancement of habitat that promotes the
recovery of threatened and endangered species and is consistent with the
objectives of this project. The DFG has reviewed this proposal and recommends
it for funding by the WCB. DPR, as lead agency, has prepared a Negative
Declaration for the project pursuant to the provisions of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Staff has considered the Negative
Declaration and has prepared proposed, written findings documenting Board's
compliance with CEQA. DPR has agreed to manage and maintain the property
for twenty-five years, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Grant
Agreement Management Plan.
Staff recommends that the Wildlife Conservation Board adopt the written findings
and approve this project as proposed; allocate $2,869,000.00 from the California
Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Fund
(P-40), Section 5096.650; authorize staff to enter into appropriate agreements
necessary to accomplish this project; and authorize staff and the Department of
Fish and Game to proceed substantially as planned.
18. Honey Lake Wildlife Area Pipeline, $308,000.00
Lassen County
This proposal is to consider the allocation for a grant to Ducks Unlimited, Inc., for
a cooperative project with the Department of Fish and Game (DFG), to install
approximately 8,030 feet of pipeline to improve water delivery to 240± acres of
uplands and 140± acres of wetland habitat on the Fleming Unit of the
Department of Fish and Game's (DFG) Honey Lake Wildlife Area (Wildlife Area),
in Lassen County.
The DFG first acquired an interest on the shores of Honey Lake in 1942 with an
acquisition to provide nesting and brood habitat for resident waterfowl. Since
then, the Wildlife Conservation Board (Board) has been active in the area,
acquiring an additional 7,840 acres for the Wildlife Area between 1970 and 1998,
and assisting with habitat restorations. While the primary purpose of the Wildlife
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20,2008
Area was to provide waterfowl habitat, that purpose has been expanded to
include upland and riparian habitats, and wildlife-friendly agricultural practices
that benefit a variety of species.
The Wildlife Area is located on the delta of the Susan River and receives surface
water from the braided channels of that river. Specifically, the Fleming Unit is fed
by water from the main channel of the Susan River and from Tanner Slough. The
unit also receives agricultural tailwater from adjoining agricultural lands and can
be supplied with groundwater from several wells on site. Even with these diverse
water sources, in most years water is very limited; the DFG's management plan
cites water as the major limiting factor for the development and operation of the
Wildlife Area. Most of the adjudicated water rights are only available from early
March to mid June, requiring the DFG to use expensive well water during most of
the rest of the year.
To maximize the use of the available water, this project will add to an earlier
project, approved for funding by the Board in 2002 and 2005, which rehabilitated
nearly 18 miles of water conveyance system, restored seasonal wetlands and
rehabilitated uplands and agricultural lands managed for wildlife. The pipeline
constructed with this project will connect to pipelines installed from the earlier
project, supplying water efficiently and reliably to an additional 140± acres of
seasonal wetlands and 240± acres of uplands.
The Honey Lake valley, including the Wildlife Area, provides critical habitat for
many species of wetland, riparian and upland grassland dependent species, both
migratory and resident. The new pipeline will allow the DFG to manage the
Wildlife Area to provide improved breeding habitat for northern pintails, mallards,
pheasants and meadowlarks. In the fall, thousands of migrating birds that stop in
the valley, will also benefit from the project, including American widgeon, gadwall,
white-fronted geese, dowitchers and sandpipers. Antelope also frequent the
agricultural and upland areas on the Wildlife Area all year long. Special status
species expected to benefit include the white faced ibis and sandhill cranes, both
of which frequently forage on site.
The proposed funding breakdown for the project is as follows:
Wildlife Conservation Board $308,000.00
Department of Fish and Game 33,270.00
Ducks Unlimited (In-kind) 12,442.00
TOTAL AVAILABLE FUNDING $353,712.00
Project costs will be for pipeline and valves; preparation and seeding of upland
fields; and project design, construction supervision and administration.
The proposed funding source for this project is the Habitat Conservation Fund,
Section 2786 (d) — Other Wetlands, which provides funding for the protection,
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting November 20,2008
restoration or enhancement of wetland and associated upland habitat outside the
Central Valley and is consistent with the objectives of this project. The DFG has
reviewed this proposal and recommends it for funding by the Board. The project
is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Class 4 of
Categorical Exemptions, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15304,
as a minor alteration to land. Subject to approval by the Board, the appropriate
Notice of Exemption will be filed with the State Clearinghouse.
Staff recommends that the Wildlife Conservation Board approve this project as
proposed; allocate $308,000.00 from the Habitat Conservation Fund (Section
2786 (d), Wetlands Outside the Central Valley); authorize staff to enter into
appropriate agreements necessary to accomplish this project; and authorize staff
and the Department of Fish and Game to proceed substantially as planned.
19. Daugherty Hill Wildlife Area, Expansion 11, $610,000.00
Butte County
This proposal is to consider the acquisition of a conservation easement over a
582± acre privately-owned property to protect deer winter range for the Bucks
Mountain/Mooretown deer herd, native oak woodlands and pine forest located
near the Sierra foothill communities of Bangor and Rackerby, in Butte County.
The property is located in the South Honcut Creek watershed, north of Robinson
Mill Road near the ButteNuba County Line. The project area is about seven
miles northeast of the community of Bangor and about three miles northwest of
the smaller community of Rackerby. The conservation easement parcel is rolling
to steep ground covered in chaparral, mixed oak and pine forest, with some large
open pastures near the eastern boundary of the property. There are several
branches of a perennial tributary to South Honcut Creek that flow through the
property, creating an extensive riparian zone. The property is located in the
same watershed and only a few miles from the area managed by the Department
of Fish and Game (DFG) referred to as the Daugherty Hill Wildlife Area.
This Sierra foothill zone habitat provides excellent and essential deer winter
range which, over the last decade, has been rapidly subdivided and developed.
Purchasing the proposed conservation easement will be of significant benefit in
further protecting the Bucks Mountain/Mooretown deer herd. This habitat also
supports a wide variety of wildlife including foothill yellow-legged frogs, wild
turkey, mountain lion and bear. Honcut Creek contains runs of fall to late fall
Chinook salmon and Central Valley steelhead.
The DFG will be the holder of the conservation easement and will monitor the
conservation easement in conjunction with management of its Daugherty Hill
Wildlife Area. An annual management plan will be developed in conjunction with
the owner of the property. The easement provides for the continuation of
agricultural use through grazing. The easement also allows the continuation of
private, recreational uses such as hunting and fishing. As this property will
remain privately-owned, public access will not be permitted. The DFG will
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20,2008
reserve the right to make periodic visits in order to determine that the conditions
of the easement are being honored.
The property owner has agreed to sell the conservation easement to the State at
the Department of General Services (DGS) approved appraised value of
$585,000.00. It is estimated that an additional $25,000.00 will be needed for
project-related expenses, including DGS' review costs, escrow fees and closing
costs, bringing the total proposed allocation for this project to $610,000.00. The
proposed funding source allows for the acquisition of habitat, including native oak
woodlands, necessary to protect deer and mountain lions, and is consistent with
the purpose of this project.
The proposed acquisition has been reviewed for compliance with the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements and is proposed as a categorical
exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15313, Class 13, as an acquisition of
lands for fish and wildlife conservation purposes, and Section 15325, Class 25, as
a transfer of an ownership interest in land to preserve open space. Subject to
approval by the Wildlife Conservation Board (Board), a Notice of Exemption will
be filed with the State Clearinghouse.
Staff recommends that the Wildlife Conservation Board approve the acquisition of
the conservation easement as proposed; allocate $610,000.00 from the Habitat
Conservation Fund, (Proposition 117), Section (a) for the acquisition and project-
related expenses; authorize staff to enter into appropriate agreements as
necessary to accomplish this project; and authorize staff and the Department of
Fish and Game to proceed substantially as planned.
20. Daugherty Hill Wildlife Area, Expansion 12, $935,000-00
Yuba County
This proposal is to consider the acquisition of 529± acres as an addition to the
Department of Fish and Game's (DFG) Daugherty Hill Wildlife Area (Wildlife
Area). A cooperative project with the Trust for Public Land (TPL) and the Sierra
Nevada Conservancy (SNC), the acquisition project will protect oak woodlands
habitat and deer winter range in the Sierra Foothills, in northeastern Yuba
County.
The project area is located just below the Collins Lake dam off Marysville Road,
approximately thirteen miles north of its intersection with State Highway 20, at
Brown's Valley. The acquisition property consists of rolling to steep ground
covered in mixed oak and gray pine forest, oak grasslands, chaparral and
approximately one mile of frontage on Dry Creek, a major foothill tributary of the
Yuba River. The property is located adjacent to the DFG's 2,638± acre
Daugherty Hill Unit of the Wildlife Area and to the 5,721± acre University of
California Foothill Research and Extension Center.
This Sierra Foothill zone habitat provides excellent and essential deer winter
range which, over the last decade, has been rapidly subdivided and developed.
The acquisition will be of significant benefit in protecting the Bucks
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20,2008
Mountain/Mooretown migratory deer herd. This habitat also supports a wide
variety of wildlife including foothill yellow-legged frogs, wild turkey, quail,
mountain lion and bobcat. Bald eagles nest at nearby Collins Lake. Dry Creek
provides trout and warm water fishing opportunities. This acquisition will also
enlarge and protect the wildlife corridor that extends from the Richards Ranch
and the University of California properties to the south, and the Wildlife Area and
the Justeson Ranch and Sugarloaf Ranch conservation easements to the north.
The DFG will be the owner in fee simple and will add this property to its adjacent
Wildlife Area. It is anticipated by regional staff that nominal costs would be
associated with perimeter fencing and signage. Given the property's location
adjacent to lands currently managed by the DFG as part of the Wildlife Area,
additional management costs for staffing will not be required. Public access to
the Wildlife Area is currently provided for low-impact recreational activities,
including hunting, fishing, hiking, bird watching and photography. In addition,
bicycling and equestrian use are allowed during summer months.
The TPL has secured a purchase and sale agreement for this property from the
current owner and will close the purchase on or before December 31, 2008,
using a $925,750.00 grant from the SNC and $924,500.00 of their own funds.
Following approval by the Board and review and approval of the transaction by
the Department of General Services (DGS), the TPL will transfer title to the State
for management by the DFG. The current owner has agreed to sell the property
for$1,850,000.00, the fair market value as determined by an appraisal approved
by the DGS. The TPL will transfer title to the State for $924,250.00, TPL's
funding contribution to acquire the property. It is estimated that an additional
$10,750.00 will be needed to cover project-related expenses, including DGS'
review costs, escrow fees and closing costs, bringing the total proposed
allocation for this project to $935,000.00. The proposed funding source allows
for the acquisition of habitat, including native oak woodlands, necessary to
protect deer and mountain lions, and is consistent with the purpose of this
project.
The proposed acquisition is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) requirements and is proposed as a categorical exemption under CEQA
Guidelines Section 15313, Class 13, as an acquisition of lands for fish and wildlife
conservation purposes, and Section 15325, Class 25, as a transfer of an
ownership interest in land to preserve open space. Subject to approval by the
Wildlife Conservation Board, a Notice of Exemption will be filed with the State
Clearinghouse.
Staff recommends that the Wildlife Conservation Board approve the acquisition as
proposed; allocate $935,000.00 from the Habitat Conservation Fund, (Proposition
117), Section 2786(a) for the acquisition and internal project-related expenses;
authorize staff to enter into appropriate agreements as necessary to accomplish
this project; and authorize staff and the Department of Fish and Game to proceed
substantially as planned.
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20,2008
21. Truckee Basin (Perazzo Meadows), $765,000.00
Sierra County
This proposal is to consider the allocation for a grant to the Truckee Donner Land
Trust (Trust) for a cooperative project with the Trust for Public Land, the State
Water Resources Quality Regional Control Board, the California Resources
Agency and the California Transportation Commission to acquire 982± acres,
west of Highway 89, in Sierra County. The purposes of this project are to protect
riparian habitat and a critical fawning area and summer range, and migration
corridors for the mule deer of the Loyalton-Truckee deer herd.
Perazzo Meadows is a privately-owned, unimproved property situated within the
eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Historic uses are grazing
and timber production. The property is located on both sides of Henness Pass
Road, approximately three miles west of Highway 89, in unincorporated Sierra
County. The Little Truckee River passes through the northern portion of the
property in an east-west direction. Topography ranges from nearly level along
the river, to gently and moderately sloping to the south and north of the river.
The property consists of riparian, meadow and mixed conifer habitats.
Water courses are occupied by rainbow, brown and brook trout. Perazzo
Meadows supports the largest breeding populations of the State-endangered
willow flycatcher in the Sierra Nevada. The property supports numerous native
birds and is a critical fawning area for the Loyalton-Truckee deer herd. Much of
the critical summer range for this herd has been developed as the town of
Truckee expands. These deer are also pressured on their winter range as the
town of Reno expands toward the California border and development
compromises deer migration corridors.
The Wildlife Conservation Board (Board) has supported significant investment in
the area and protected 741± acres for the Truckee River Wildlife Area, 1,481
acres known as Waddle Ranch, 4,011± acres for the Truckee River Canyon
Wildlife Area, and 1,350± acres known as Gray Creek Canyon. While Perazzo
Meadows is not adjacent to the Truckee River wildlife areas, the property is
connected to large tracts of U.S. Forest Service land and is part of an overall
objective to protect critical habitat and migration corridors in the greater Truckee
Basin.
The property owners have agreed to sell the property to the Trust for the
Department of General Services (DGS) approved, appraised value of
$3,704,696.00. The proposed funding breakdown for the project is as follows:
Wildlife Conservation Board $ 754,696.00
State Water Resources Regional
Quality Control Board $1,500,000.00
California Resources Agency $1,100,000.00
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
California Transportation Commission $ 350,000.00
101A L $3,704,696.00
...............
It is estimated that an additional $10,304.00 will be needed to cover project-
related costs by the Board, including the DGS' appraisal review fees, bringing the
total proposed allocation for this project to $765,000.00. The proposed funding
source allows for the acquisition of habitat, including native oak woodlands,
necessary to protect deer and mountain lions, and is consistent with the purpose
of this project.
The terms and conditions of the proposed grant agreement provide that staff of
the Board will review and approve all proposed title documents, appraisals,
preliminary title reports, documents for purchase and sale, escrow instructions
and the instruments of conveyance prior to disbursement of funds directly into an
escrow established for the property.
The Department of Fish and Game has reviewed this project and recommends
approval of the acquisition. The proposed acquisition has been reviewed for
compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements
and is proposed as exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15313, Class 13, as
an acquisition of land for wildlife conservation purposes, and Section 15325,
Class 25, as a transfer of an ownership interest in land to preserve open space.
Subject to authorization by the Board, a Notice of Exemption will be filed with the
State Clearinghouse.
Staff recommends that the Wildlife Conservation Board approve this project as
proposed; allocate $765,000.00 from the Habitat Conservation Fund, (Proposition
117), Section 2786(a) for the grant and internal project-related expenses;
authorize staff to enter into appropriate agreements as necessary to accomplish
this project; and authorize staff and the Department of Fish and Game to proceed
substantially as planned.
22. Elkhorn Basin Ranch, $3,780,000.00
Yolo County
This proposal is to consider the allocation for a grant to the Yolo Land Trust
(Land Trust) for a cooperative project with the Department of Water Resources,
Sacramento Valley Conservancy, the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency,
Resources Legacy Fund Foundation and the Packard Foundation to acquire
,quire
three properties totaling 685± acres located between the Sacramento River and
the Yolo Bypass, southeast of Woodland, in Yolo County. The purposes of the
project are to protect riparian habitat and agriculture land to support threatened
and endangered species and species of special concern, and to connect large
tracts of land situated between the river and the bypass.
Elkhorn Basin Ranch is located on County Road 117 about 12 miles south of
Woodland and 10 miles north of Sacramento along the Sacramento River. It lies
on the west side of the river across from Natomas Basin and the Sacramento
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
International Airport and provides a unique opportunity to secure a large, intact
property of permanent habitat, agriculture and open space in a rural flood-plain
corridor. This acquisition will connect a swath of land tens of thousands of acres
along and adjacent to the Yolo Bypass and the Sacramento River, providing a
mix of habitat types and agriculture uses serving many species. The acquisition
will immediately prevent the current possibility of additional riverfront homes and
urbanization in an area that is needed for open space and regional flood
protection. The subject property is one of the last privately-owned and available
properties in the corridor that stretches from Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area through
Conaway Ranch, Elkhorn Basin Ranch, Sacramento River Ranch, all the way
north to Fremont Weir Wildlife Area, a distance estimated at over 20 miles.
The subject properties total 685± acres and consist of three separate ranch
areas in close proximity under the same ownership. The subject topography is
flat and a Reclamation District levee provides protection from the Sacramento
River on the east. There is also a levee along the westerly boundary to provide
protection when the Yolo Bypass in being used for flood protection. A significant
"shelf' of land is located on the Sacramento River side of the levee with
significant riparian habitat. The old "Tule Canal" is located on the west side of
the Yolo Bypass levee and there is also a drainage canal along the east side of
the Yolo Bypass levee. Portions of the subject properties are currently in
agricultural production, including walnut groves of various ages and open areas
planted with annual row crops. The subject agricultural land and riparian forest
is known habitat for endangered, threatened and species of special concern such
as the giant garter snake, western burrowing owl, white-faced Ibis, northwestern
pond turtle and the loggerhead shrike.
The Land Trust will retain ownership and management of the proposed
acquisition and will manage the subject properties in cooperation with other
public and privately-owned properties in the area, and in conjunction with the
Department of Fish and Game. Public access and public uses would be allowed
on those areas of the subject property on the river side of the levee and would
include hiking, photography, bird watching, picnicking and kayak/canoe boat
launch.
The property owners have agreed to sell the properties to the Land Trust at the
appraised value of$3,765,000.00. The appraised value has been approved by
the Department of General Services (DGS). It is estimated that an additional
$15,000.00 will be needed for the appraisal review costs by the DGS, bringing
the total proposed allocation for this project to $3,780,000.00. The proposed
funding source allows for the acquisition and/or restoration of habitats that are
critical to the sustainability of federal or state listed threatened or endangered
species, or species of special concern, and is consistent with the purpose of this
project.
The terms and conditions of the proposed grant require that Board staff review
and approve all proposed title documents, appraisals, preliminary title reports,
agreements for purchase and sale, escrow instructions and instruments of
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20,2008
conveyance prior to disbursement of funds directly into the escrow accounts
established for acquisition of the properties.
The DFG has reviewed the project and recommends approval of the grant. The
project has been reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) requirements and is proposed as exempt under CEQA
Guidelines Section 15313, Class 13, as an acquisition of land for fish and wildlife
conservation purposes, and under Section 15325, Class 25, as a transfer of an
ownership interest in land to preserve open space and habitat. Subject to
approval by the Board, a Notice of Exemption will be filed with the State
Clearinghouse.
Staff recommends that the Wildlife Conservation Board approve this project as
proposed; allocate $3,780,000.00 from the California Clean Water, Clean Air,
Safe Neighborhood Parks Coastal Protection Fund, (Proposition 40), Section
5096.650, for the grant and internal project-related expenses; authorize staff to
enter into appropriate agreements as necessary to accomplish this project; and
authorize staff and the Department of Fish and Game to proceed substantially as
planned.
23. Dry Creek Oak Woodland Corridor, $295,000.00
Yolo County
This proposal is to consider the allocation for a grant to the National Audubon
Society, Inc. d/b/a Audubon California for a cooperative project with the
Department of Fish and Game (DFG), City of Winters, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, University of California, Davis,
Natural Resources Conservation Service, Lower Putah Creek Coordination
Committee, Center for Land Based Learning, and private landowners to restore
5.6 miles of riparian habitat and restore native vegetation, improve connectivity
between ecosystems, reduce sedimentation and streambank erosion, and
improve water quality for anadromous fish, native vegetation along located on
public and private lands along East Fork Dry Creek and West Fork Dry Creek,
near the City of Winters, in Yolo County.
The properties are all within the greater Putah-Cache Creek Watershed. The
project is a continuation of the Bobcat to Blue Oak restoration project previously
funded by the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB), Natural Resources
Conservation Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The project will
provide connectivity from the 750,000 acre Blue-Ridge Berryessa Natural Area in
the coastal range foothills to Putah Creek on the valley floor. Audubon-California
has worked with local landowners to implement habitat restoration projects on
farms and ranches throughout the region. The project will provide conservation
resources to accomplish the long-term goals of reestablishing the ecological
connection between Putah Creek and its tributaries and establish a viable wildlife
corridor managed by local landowners.
The project sites will provide habitat for several species of birds, amphibians,
reptiles, and mammals; create or enhance wildlife corridors, improve soil
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
stabilization and water quality, and improve habitat for aquatic invertebrates and
habitat for spawning anadromous fish. Specifically, some of the wildlife species
and habitats that will benefit include: Chinook salmon, rainbow trout, California
pikerninnow, Sacramento blackfish, Swainson's hawk, Lewis's woodpecker,
yellow warbler, Cooper's hawk, Nuttall's Woodpecker, sharp-shinned hawk,
white-tailed kite, oak titmouse, yellow-billed magpie, badger, black-tailed deer,
bobcat, western pond turtle, blue oak, valley oak, live oak, and habitat for red-
legged frog, California tiger salamander, and valley elderberry longhorn beetle.
The project involves seven separate landowners. The existing and adjoining
land uses include grazing, orchards, and fallowed ground. The landowners have
agreed to manage and maintain the properties for 25 years, pursuant to the
terms and conditions of a habitat management plan. If at any time during the life
of the project, the landowners are unable to manage and maintain the project
improvements, they will refund to the State of California an amortized amount of
funds based on the number of years left on the project life.
The proposed funding breakdown for the project is as follows:
Wildlife Conservation Board $295,000.00
DFG's Landowner Incentive Program 163,500.00
Natural Resources Conservation Service 38,872.00
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 40,000.00
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 19,565.00
City of Winters 85,000.00
U.C. Davis 5,000.00
Center for Land-Based Learning 7,500.00
Lower Putah Creek Coordinating Committee 10,000.00
Landowners 96,000.00
TOTAL AVAILABLE FUNDING $760.437.00
Project costs will be for site preparation; erosion control; tree planting, caging
and fencing; irrigation system; plant establishment; and project design,
construction supervision, and administration. Funding for some of the long-term
maintenance of the property will be provided by DFG's Landowner Incentive
Program, a program that provides annual payment to private landowners to help
cover the costs of maintaining habitat areas on their properties.
The proposed funding sources for this project are the Safe Drinking Water, Water
Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Fund,
(Proposition 84), Section 75055(d)(4) and the Habitat Conservation Fund,
Section 2786 (e/f). This funding allows for assisting farmers in integrating
agricultural activities with ecosystem restoration and wildlife protection, and
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20,2008 -
restoration of riparian habitat, and is consistent with the objectives of this project.
The DFG has reviewed this proposal and recommends it for funding by the
Wildlife Conservation Board (Board). This project is exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Class 4 of Categorical Exemptions,
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15304, as a minor alteration to
land. Subject to approval by the Board, the appropriate Notice of Exemption will
be filed with the State Clearinghouse.
Staff recommends that the Wildlife Conservation Board approve this project as
proposed; allocate $180,000.00 from the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and
Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Fund of 2006, (Proposition
84) Section 75055(d)(4) and allocate $115,000.00 from the Habitat Conservation
Fund, Section 2786 (elf) for the grant amount; authorize staff to enter into
appropriate agreements necessary to accomplish this project; and authorize staff
and the Department of Fish and Game to proceed substantially as planned.
24. Watsonville Slough Conservation Area, $5,510,500.00
and Expansion 1, Santa Cruz County
This proposal is to consider the allocation for two grants to The Land Trust of
Santa Cruz County (Land Trust) for two cooperative projects with the State
Coastal Conservancy (SCC), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), The
Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) to
acquire two privately-owned properties totaling 441± acres to protect coastal
wetland and upland habitat, provide sustainable habitat for a number of sensitive
species, maintain the long-term integrity of the protected lands in the area, and
reduce adverse impacts to the water quality and supply in the slough system.
This proposal is also to consider the conditional acceptance of a National Coastal
Wetlands Grant.
The properties are adjacent to each other and are located west of Highway 1 in
the City of Watsonville. The properties are bordered to the west and east by
lands owned by the DFG. The northern boundary of the two properties is also
protected conservation property. These properties are also located near the
Harkins Slough and Watsonville Slough.
The Watsonville Sloughs are a highly valued and unique wetland resource
situated adjacent to Monterey Bay within the California central coast, sustaining
large wetland marsh and riparian habitats for a variety of wildlife and native
plants. The adjoining hillsides and upland areas contain important wildlife areas
including grassland, oak woodlands and chaparral habitats. The Watsonville
Sloughs watershed is comprised of five tributary sloughs (Harkins, Struve, West
Branch Struve, Gallighan and Hanson) and the Watsonville Slough. These two
properties will protect nearly the entire watershed of the Hanson Slough as well
as contribute to the larger effort of linking and transforming the habitat fragments
of existing conservation lands into an area large enough so that ecological
processes can become self-sustaining.
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
Acquisition of these two properties will preserve and enhance the ecological
integrity of the slough system by more than doubling the size of contiguous
conservation acres in the area. By protecting this vast expanse of contiguous
protected lands, this project will increase the viability of the entire Watsonville
Sloughs' ecosystem and provide significant habitat for the region's migratory bird
and other wetland species.
Agricultural revenues are the backbone of the local economy in the Pajaro
Valley. The Land Trust will work with the organic farmers on the agricultural
lands to implement drainage swales, sedimentation ponds and buffers between
fields and sensitive wetlands to prevent run-off impacts to the wetland areas.
Continued agricultural use on the acquired properties managed by the Land
Trust will generate revenue that will be used to manage the properties and to
fund collaborative management and restoration on protected lands in the area.
The Land Trust expects to engage youth and public "watershed stewards"
through the wetland education programs at the high school near the subject
properties. The Fitz Wetlands Educational Resource Center operated by the
Watsonville Wetlands Watch could serve to involve public and school age
participants in ongoing restoration and enhancement projects.
In addition to involvement in restoration, there may be opportunities to expand a
trail system throughout the area. The City of Watsonville has already
commenced development of trails in the sloughs associated uplands on the
eastern side of Highway One. In the long-term, connecting the existing system to
the subject property area will provide walking and birding opportunities that will
further increase community connection with this part of the landscape and its
biodiversity.
The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County has applied for a National Coastal Wetland
Grant from the USFWS in the amount of$1,000,000.00 on behalf of the DFG and
WCB to assist with funding these projects. The grant application is being
considered by the USFWS and a decision is expected in early 2009. Conditional
approval to accept this grant and apply the funds toward the acquisition is part of
this proposal before the Board. If the grant is approved, and the funding is
available to be applied toward the purchase of the Conservation Area property,
the State Coastal Conservancy funding will decrease from $5,550,000.00 to
$4,550,000.00, or the amount of the $1,000,000.00 grant.
Specific project information and funding is set out below:
Watsonville Slough Conservation Area
This property contains 347± acres total with 240± acres in active agriculture. The
remaining property consists of internal roads and wetlands.
The owners have agreed to sell the property for the appraised fair market value
of $10,605,000.00, as approved by the Department of General Services (DGS).
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20,2008
The proposed funding breakdown for this property is as follows:
Wildlife Conservation Board Grant $ 5,000,000.00
State Coastal Conservancy (SCC)* $ 5,550,000.00
Land Trust $ 55,000.00
TOTAL: $10,605,000.00
This amount will decrease by$1,000,000.00 if the National Coastal Wetland
Grant by USFWS is approved.
Watsonville Slough Conservation Area, Expansion 1
This property contains 94± acres total with 65± acres in active agriculture. The
remaining property consists of roads and wetlands.
The owners have agreed to sell the property for the appraised fair market value of
$3,095,000.00 as approved by the DGS.
The proposed funding breakdown is as follows:
Wildlife Conservation Board Grant $ 500,000.00
TNC $ 1,500,000.00
SCC $ 1,095,000.00
TOTAL: $ 3,095,000.00
It is estimated that an additional $10,000.00 total will be needed for project-
related expenses, including the DGS appraisal review costs, bringing the total
allocation for this proposal to $5,510,000.00. The proposed funding source
allows for the acquisition' and protection of habitat that promotes the recovery of
threatened and endangered species, and ecosystems such as riparian and
wetland areas, which is consistent with the purpose of this project.
The terms and conditions of the proposed grants provide that the Board staff will
review and approve all documents associated with the proposed purchase
including title documents, appraisal, preliminary title reports, agreements for
purchase and sale, escrow instructions and instruments of conveyance prior to
disbursement of funds directly into escrow for the purchase of fee title of these
two properties.
The DFG has reviewed the project and recommends approval of the grants. The
projects have been reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) requirements and are proposed as exempt under CEQA
Guidelines Section 15313, Class 13, as acquisitions of land for fish and wildlife
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
conservation purposes, and under Section 15325, Class 25, as transfers of an
ownership interest in land to preserve open space and habitat. Subject to
approval by the Board, Notice of Exemptions will be filed with the State
Clearinghouse.
Staff recommends that the Wildlife Conservation Board approve these projects as
proposed-, accept a National Coastal Wetland Grant from the U. S. Fish and
Wildlife Service in the amount of$1,000,000.00, if approved, and apply the
federal grants funds toward the acquisition of the property; allocate $5,510,000.00
from the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and
Coastal Protection Fund of 2006, (Proposition 84), Section 75055(b) for the two
grants and internal project-related expenses; authorize staff to enter into
appropriate.agreements as necessary to accomplish these projects; and
authorize staff and the Department of Fish and Game to proceed substantially as
planned.
25. East Merced Vernal Pool Grassland Preserve, $4,400,000.00
Expansion 6, Merced County
The proposal is to consider the allocation for a grant to the California Rangeland
Trust (Trust) to acquire a conservation easement over 2,912± acres to protect
rolling grasslands with a high density of vernal pools and associated rare and
endangered species located northeast of the City of Merced, in central Merced
County.
The subject, known as Ichord Ranch, is a privately-owned working cattle ranch
located off Yosemite Av&nue, in the northwest portion of the San Joaquin Valley,
northeast of the City of Merced. Topography is undulating to slightly rolling at an
elevation of approximately 230-325 feet. The ranch supports riparian habitat
along Black Rascal Creek and significant vernal pool habitat. The property is
within a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated vernal pool core recovery area
and supports proposed critical habitat for several vernal pool listed species. In
addition to significant vernal pools, the ranch supports extensive grassland habitat
for kit fox and other rare species. Federal and state listed species documented
on the Ichord Ranch include succulent owls, clover, vernal pool fairy shrimp,
conservancy fairy shrimp, vernal pool tadpole shrimp, California tiger salamander,
San Joaquin kit fox and Swainson's hawk.
The ranch is bordered to the north and east by large tracts of grazing and
farmland. However, land to the immediate south shows increasing rural
ranchette development. In addition, the property is located southeast of the
developing University of California, Merced (UC Merced) campus and
immediately west of the proposed UC Merced community planning area. The
ranch, which lies within the path of development flowing easterly from UC
Merced, is vulnerable to development and related habitat fragmentation.
This conservation easement will prevent the conversion of the property's
grassland, riparian and vernal pool habitats to nonagricultural uses and, thereby,
protect and promote the recovery of threatened and endangered species. The
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
property will continue to be operated and managed as a privately-owned, working
cattle ranch. As agreed upon between the property owner and the Trust, public
access will not be permitted on the property.
The property owners have agreed to sell the conservation easement to the Trust
for the Department of General Services (DGS) approved appraised value of
$4,385,000.00. It is estimated that an additional $15,000.00 will be needed to
cover project-related costs by the Wildlife Conservation Board (Board), including
the DGS' appraisal review fees, bringing the total proposed allocation for this
project to $4,400,000.00. The proposed funding source allows for the acquisition
of habitat that promotes the recovery of threatened and endangered species and
that protects significant natural landscapes and significant habitat areas, and is
consistent with the purpose of this project.
The terms and conditions of the proposed grant agreement provide that staff of
the Board will review and approve all proposed title documents, appraisals,
preliminary title reports, documents for purchase and sale, escrow instructions
and the instruments of conveyance prior to disbursement of funds directly into an
escrow established for the property.
The Department of Fish and Game has reviewed the proposed project and highly
recommends approval of the acquisition. The proposed acquisition has been
reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
requirements and is proposed as exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15313,
Class 13, as an acquisition of land for wildlife conservation purposes, and Section
15325, Class 25, as a transfer of an ownership interest inland to preserve open
space. Subject to authorization by the Board, a Notice of Exemption will be filed
with the State Clearinghouse.
Staff recommends that the Wildlife Conservation Board approve this project as
proposed; allocate $4,400,000.00 from the California Clean Water, Clean Air,
Safe Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Fund, (Proposition 40), Section
5096.650 for the grant and internal project-related expenses; authorize staff to
enter into appropriate agreements as necessary to accomplish this project; and
authorize staff to proceed substantially as planned.
26. Midland School Oak Woodlands Conservation Easement, $4,155,000.00
Santa Barbara County
This proposal is to consider the allocation for a grant to the Land Trust for Santa
Barbara County (Trust) for a cooperative project with the Trust for Public Land
and the California Transportation Commission to acquire a conservation
easement over 2,725± acres, in Los Olivos, in Santa Barbara County. The
purposes of the project are to protect and preserve the integrity and diversity of
oak woodland habitat compatible with the farming and ranching operations on the
Midland School ranch.
The Midland School ranch is a privately-owned property situated along Figueroa
Mountain Road, in the foothills of the San Rafael Mountains along Alamo Pintado
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meetinq, November 20, 2008
Creek, in the northern Santa Inez Valley. The village of Los Olivos is
approximately five miles south. The City of Santa Barbara is approximately 35
miles south. Topography ranges from gently rolling grasslands to moderate and
steeper hillsides. The landscape is comprised of blue, valley and coastal oak
woodlands, gray pine forest, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, grassland, wet
meadow and riparian habitats.
The land has been in agricultural use, primarily cattle grazing, for over 100 years.
Midland School, a private, non-profit educational institution established in the
1930's, will continue its history of ranchland and resource stewardship with its
established Forest Stewardship Plan, Grazing Plan, and Oak Woodland
Management Plan and farming and ranching operations compatible with oak
woodland conservation.
The property is adjacent to the San Rafael Wilderness Area of the Los Padres
National Forest and to the 5,896± acre University of California-owned Sedgwick
Reserve. The subject's riparian areas and extensive oak woodlands contribute
to one of the largest undeveloped and unfragmented habitats in the foothills of
the Los Padres National Forest. The Midland School ranch is within the flight
range of the Los Padres National Forest Condor Sanctuary.
This conservation easement will prevent oak loss due to development, firewood
harvesting and agricultural conversions. Protection of the ranch's extensive blue,
valley and coastal oak woodlands will benefit the numerous wildlife species that
are dependent on this habitat type. Confirmed sightings include California red
legged frog, California legless lizard, garter snake, California condor, white-tailed
kite, sharp-shinned hawk, Cooper's hawk, northern harrier, golden eagle, prairie
falcon, bald eagle, burrowing owl, Least Bell's vireo and horned lark.
The appraised value of the conservation easement, as approved by the
Department of General Services (DGS), is $5,450,000.00. The property owners
have agreed to sell the conservation easement to the Trust for the price of
$4,500,000.00. The proposed funding breakdown for the project is as follows:
Board Grant $ 4,150,000.00
California Transportation Commission - EEMP Grant $ 350,000.00
TOTAL $ 4,500,000.00
It is estimated that an additional $5,000.00 will be needed to cover project-related
costs by the Board, including the DGS' appraisal review fees, bringing the total
proposed allocation for this project to $4,155,000.00. The proposed funding
sources allow for the acquisition of conservation easements over privately-owned
property for the protection of oak woodlands across California's working
landscapes, which are consistent with the proposed project.
The terms and conditions of the proposed grant agreement provide that staff of
the Board will review and approve all proposed title documents, appraisals,
preliminary title reports, documents for purchase and sale, escrow instructions
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
and the instruments of conveyance prior to disbursement of funds directly into an
escrow established for the property.
The Department of Fish and Game has reviewed this project and recommends
approval of the acquisition. The proposed acquisition has been reviewed for
compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements
and is proposed as exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15313, Class 13, as
an acquisition of land for wildlife conservation purposes, and Section 15325,
Class 25, as a transfer of an ownership interest in land to preserve open space.
Subject to authorization by the Board, a Notice of Exemption will be filed with the
State Clearinghouse.
Staff recommends that the Wildlife Conservation Board approve this project as
proposed; allocate $1,137,161.00 from the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality
and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Fund of 2006,
(Proposition 84), Section 75055(d)(2) and $3,037,839.00 from the Oak
Woodlands Conservation Fund for the grant and internal project-related
expenses; authorize staff to enter into appropriate agreements as necessary to
accomplish this project; and authorize staff and the Department of Fish and
Game to proceed substantially as planned.
27. Palo Verde Ecological Reserve, $2,585,000.00
Expansions 1 and 2, Riverside County
This proposal is to consider a cooperative project with the Trust for Public Land to
acquire two properties totaling 422± acres of agricultural land and riparian habitat
adjacent to the Colorado River, in Riverside County. This proposal is also to
consider the acceptance of$6,755,000.00 from the Department of Fish and
Game (DFG) identified for projects to implement the Lower Colorado River Multi-
Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP), to be applied toward the acquisition
of the Expansion 1 property. The purpose of the project is to protect riparian
habitat supporting threatened and endangered species, and protect an important
linkage from the Colorado River to the Colorado Desert.
Expansion 1 is a 348± acre property adjacent to the Colorado River at the
prolongation of 10th Avenue about three miles northeast of downtown Blythe. The
subject topography is generally flat and has sandbar cottonwood, willow and
mesquite riparian habitat along the eastern edge of the river. The balance of the
property is active farm land. The subject property currently has a tentative
development plan and entitlements. The environmental impact report and the
"Colorado River 500 Specific Plan" have been approved by the City of Blythe.
City planners estimate that final approval of the development could be achieved in
six to twelve months.
This property will be made available to the Lower Colorado River MSHCP.
Farming will be phased out and permanent habitat will be phased in. This usually
takes seven to nine years, phasing in 40 to 50 acres each year. In the interim,
the revenues generated from farming leases on the site will provide revenues
which will be used to manage the property and to pay the water tolls associated
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
with the agricultural use, estimated at $30,000.00 to $40,000.00 annually. Once
the property is placed into permanent habitat, the MSHCP will pay all water tolls
and management costs associated with the property.
This acquisition is about three miles south of a major acquisition that was
completed by the Wildlife Conservation Board (Board) in 2002, known as the
Travis property. The Travis property is about 1,200 acres in size and has since
been partially restored to native habitat. The DFG will manage and maintain the
property in its current undeveloped condition consistent with the objectives of the
Lower Colorado River MSHCP.
Expansion 2 is a 74± acre property located near the intersection of 8th Avenue
and Arrowhead Boulevard about three miles northwest of downtown Blythe. The
subject topography is generally flat and partially within the McCoy Wash. This
property is a portion of an important linkage to the Colorado River from the
expanse of desert to the west. The DFG will manage and maintain the property in
its current undeveloped status consistent with the objectives of the Lower
Colorado River MSHCP.
These acquisitions will ultimately provide for the long-term protection of habitat
and species, including the 56 "covered" species identified in the MSHCP.
Prominent species that would benefit from the project include the southwestern
willow flycatcher, yellow-billed cuckoo, Gila woodpecker, Gilder flicker, Yuma
clapper rail, California black rain, bonytail chub, razorback sucker and the desert
tortoise.
The DFG will manage the subject properties in cooperation with other publicly-
owned properties in the area, and in conjunction with the Travis acquisition as
noted above. Public access and public uses may be allowed on the subject
properties and could include hiking, photography, bird watching, picnicking and a
kayak/canoe boat launch.
The property owners have agreed to sell their properties at the appraised values
of$9,000,000.00 and $275,000.00 respectively, for a total of$9,275,000.00. The
appraised values have been approved by the Department of General Services
(DGS). The Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River
and Coastal Protection Fund of 2006 (Proposition 84) provides funding to the
DFG to acquire lands for natural resource protection and public access to natural
resources within the Lower Colorado River MSHCP planning area, and the DFG
proposes to contribute $6,755,000.00 from those funds for the acquisition of the
Expansion 1 property. Staff proposes that the Board provide the balance of the
purchase price for Expansion 1 and the purchase price for Expansion 2, totaling
$2,520,000.00. It is estimated that an additional $65,000.00 will be needed to
cover project-related expenses, including escrow fees and title insurance
premiums, and appraisal and transaction review fees by the DGS, bringing the
total proposed allocation for this project to $2,585,000.00. The proposed funding
sources allow for the acquisition and restoration of land and water resources
necessary to meet state obligations related to California's allocation of water from
the Colorado River (Proposition 50), and the acquisition of lands for natural"
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
resource protection, and public access to natural resources, within the Lower
Colorado River Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan planning area
(Proposition 84), which is consistent with the purpose of this project.
The DFG has reviewed the project and recommends approval of the acquisitions.
The project has been reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) requirements and is proposed as exempt under CEQA
Guidelines Section 15313, Class 13, as an acquisition of land for fish and wildlife
conservation purposes, and under Section 15325, Class 25, as a transfer of an
ownership interest in land to preserve open space and habitat. Subject to
approval by the Board, a Notice of Exemption will be filed with the State
Clearinghouse.
Staff recommends that the Wildlife Conservation Board approve the two
acquisitions as proposed; accept Department of Fish and Game funds in the
amount of$6,755,000.00 from the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and
Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Fund of 2006, (Proposition
84), Section 75050(b)(2) to be deposited directly into an escrow account
established for the acquisition of Expansion 1; allocate $2,585,0000.00 from the
Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Fund of
2002, (Proposition 50), Section 79568 to apply toward the acquisition costs of
both Expansions 1 and 2, and to pay for project-related expenses; authorize staff
to enter into appropriate agreements for both acquisitions as necessary to
accomplish these acquisitions; and authorize staff and the Department of Fish
and Game to proceed substantially as planned.
28. Upper Newport Bay Ecosystem Restoration, $2,000,000.00
Orange County
This proposal is to consider the allocation for a grant to the County of Orange in
cooperation with the Army Corps of Engineers to fund part of ongoing dredging
activities to restore bay wildlife habitats in the upper basin of the Department of
Fish and Game (DFG) Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve, located in
Newport Beach.
The Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve was created in 1975 as result of the
purchase of 527 acres of land in and around the bay from the Irvine Company
and the transfer of 214 acres of tidal wetlands from the County of Orange to the
DFG. An additional 11 acres of land in Big Canyon was added in 1982 bringing
the total acreage of the Ecological Reserve to 752 acres. In 1990, the County of
Orange acquired 140 acres of bluffs on the north and north-west sides of the bay
for the creation of a Regional Park. The Regional Park was re-dedicated as the
Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve in 2000 and is managed by Orange County
Parks. Public use of the entire Upper Bay area includes recreational activities
such as bird watching, hiking, photography, canoeing, kayaking and fishing.
Upper Newport Bay (Bay) is one of the last remaining coastal wetlands in
southern California that continues to play a significant role in providing critical
habitat for a variety of migratory waterfowl, shorebirds and endangered species,
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20,2008
including both birds and plants. The Reserve supports a wide range of resident
and migratory species that use open water, intertidal mudflats, salt marsh, and
surrounding terrestrial habitats. The Bay is home to several threatened and
endangered plants and animals, including salt marsh bird's beak, California least
tern, and the largest population of light-footed clapper rail in the United States,
and serves as a nursery for several fish species, including important species to
commercial and recreational fisheries such as the California halibut.
Sedimentation in the Bay has caused its open water areas to decrease, tidal
circulation to diminish, and shoaling to occur within the federal and local
navigation channels. Objectives of this project are: effective management of
sediments deposited within the Bay, reducing the frequency of dredging projects
with the goal of maintenance once every 20 years; enhancing habitat values
within the Upper Bay; and slowing the detrimental impacts of sediment
accumulation on the fish and wildlife habitats. The restoration project has been
undertaken in concert with a comprehensive sediment management program
throughout the 18-square mile watershed.
The project will improve or restore estuarine habitats; sustain a mix of open water,
mudflat, and marsh habitat; increase tidal circulation for water quality; reduce
predator access to sensitive habitats; improve public use and recreational access-,
and improve educational opportunities. It includes the removal of 2.3 million cubic
yards of sediment to restore habitat and improve sediment storage capacity. The
project includes the following elements-
• Expanding and deepening the Unit 1/111 and Unit 11 sediment trapping
basins, with an access channel dredged between the two basins;
• Restoring habitat for California least tern including the creation of side
channels around the small tern island adjacent to the Unit 1/111 basin, and
around New Island, Middle Island, and Shellmaker Island;
• Restoring wetlands along Northstar Beach, Shellmaker Island, and along
the edge of the Upper Basin-,
• Extending and deepening a grouted stone apron at the mouth of San
Diego Creek and at the upper end of the Unit 1/111 basin;
• Dredging an access channel, located below the Unit 11 basin and adjacent
to the Pacific Coast Highway Bridge;
• Removing Skimmer Island from the Unit 1/111 basin and reconstructing a
new island in the Unit 11 basin adjacent to the western segment of the salt
dike for least terns;
• Capping the small tern island with clean sand;
• Maintaining mudflats in the northeast corner of the uppermost segment
and around the shoreline perimeter of the deepened Unit 11 and Unit 1/111
basins and New Island;
• Segmenting the main dike above the Unit 11 basin to decrease potential
terrestrial disturbances and predator access;
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
• Adding education kiosks along Back Bay Drive and near the Interpretive
Center; and
• Conducting post-construction environmental monitoring for sediment loads
and flora and fauna in habitat areas.
The total project cost was originally estimated in 2004 at $39 million including
construction, design, and management, with the federal government providing
65% of the project cost and the non-federal partners sharing 35% of the project
cost. Inflation and other factors have increased the total project cost to
$45,800,000 with the local share increasing by $3,325,000. Funding allocated to
date will restore habitat and remove approximately 1,013,500 cubic yards of
sediment. The funding requested from the Wildlife Conservation Board (Board)
will allow the contractor to continue its dredging operations without interruption.
Without the funds the contractor would need to shut-down temporarily and then
remobilize again once the federal funds became available, creating additional and
significant costs. The DFG will continue their management responsibilities.
Monitoring will be performed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for two years
following the project.
There have been a number of studies and projects performed to improve the
health of the Bay. Examples include a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers watershed
management plan feasibility study to develop long-term solutions for protecting
and improving the watershed's ecosystem. A Coastal Resource Implementation
Management Plan is currently being prepared by the DFG. The City of Newport
Beach's General Plan also supports the preservation of the Bay and sensitive
resources.
For many years, the County of Orange, the cities of Newport Beach, Irvine,
Tustin, The Irvine Company, and citizen groups have recognized the ecological
importance of the Bay and have taken measures to deal with the many diverse
problems throughout the watershed including sedimentation, water quality, and
residential run-off. To date, over $25 million has been spent on construction and
maintenance of sediment basins in the Upper Bay and on San Diego Creek. In
the entire watershed, partners have spent over $130 million on channel
stabilization, foothill basin construction, and Best Management Practices for
agricultural and construction sites.
Citizen groups have also taken a keen interest in protecting the Bay and
supporting the project. Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends is a volunteer
organization whose mission is to restore and preserve the native habitat of the
Bay and surroundings and educate the public about the ecological value of the
Bay. Other organizations that have made monetary and time commitments
include Orange County Coastkeepers, Stop Polluting Our Newport, California
Coastal Conservancy, Newport Chapter of Surfriders, Defend the Bay, California
Coastal Commission, Irvine Ranch Water District, The Irvine Company, University
of California Irvine, Orange Coast College, Dover Shores Homeowners, and De
Anza Bayside Marine.
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008
Funding for the project is estimated as follows:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers $29,770,000.00
State Coastal Conservancy 13,000,000.00
Wildlife Conservation Board 2,000,000.00
Orange County In Kind Services 1,500,000.00
Total $46,270,000.00
Board funding will be used for expanding and deepening Unit 1/111 within the Bay.
The proposed funding source for this project is the Water Security, Clean
Drinking Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Fund of 2002 (Proposition 50)
which allows for the acquisition, protection, and restoration of Southern California
coastal wetlands and is consistent with the objective of this project. The DFG
has reviewed this proposal and recommends it for funding by the Board.
A Consistency Determination No. CD-039-04 by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engin'eers has been approved by the California Coastal Commission for this
project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the County of Orange have
prepared a Final EIS/EIR for the Upper Newport Bay Restoration Project in
accordance with CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines. Staff has considered the Final
EIS/EIR and the County of Orange Findings of Overriding Considerations, and
has prepared written findings documenting the Board's compliance with CEQA.
Subject to approval by the Board, the appropriate Notice of Determination will be
filed with the State Clearinghouse.
Staff recommends that the Wildlife Conservation Board adopt the written findings
and approve the project as proposed; allocate $2,000,000 from the Water
Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Bond Fund of 2002
(Proposition 50), Section 79572(a); authorize staff to enter into appropriate
agreements necessary to accomplish this project; and authorize staff and the
Department of Fish and Game to proceed substantially as planned.
29. Monitoring Grants and Conservation Easements, N/A
Statewide
On November 17, 2005, the Wildlife Conservation Board (Board/WCB) requested
staff to consider the development of policies governing grants awarded for the
purchase of conservation easements. In response to that directive, staff held
several workshops with the land trust community and prepared policies designed
to guide the development of grant agreements and conservation easements. The
policies were adopted by the Board on August 17, 2006. The adopted policies
demonstrate the Board's commitment toward sound fiscal principles, are
accountable to and maintain the public trust, and most importantly, protect
California's fish and wildlife habitat, natural resources, open space and working
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20,2008
landscapes.
While the adopted policies have been accepted by most regional and local land
trusts,-counties and special districts, concerns have been expressed regarding
the Board's intent with respect to the monitoring policy governing grants and
conservation easements. Specifically, questions have been raised with respect to
the frequency the Board could have access to property protected with a
conservation easement funded by a Board grant.
As currently adopted, the monitoring policy states the following:
1. Compliance monitoring shall assess compliance with the terms of the
conservation easement and grant agreement and note any changes to the
property as compared to the Baseline Conditions Report and the prior
monitoring report.
I1. Prior to the close of escrow for the acquisition of a conservation easement
purchased with funds approved by the WCB, WCB shall have approved
an individualized monitoring protocol for the property to be protected.
Using the Baseline Conditions Report as a benchmark, the monitoring
protocol should be adaptive and address the purposes, frequency, timing
and methods of monitoring the property to be carried out by the grant
recipient (grantee). The monitoring protocol is the framework that will
guide the preparation for and implementation of the grantee's monitoring
of the conservation easement.
111. The monitoring protocol must be tailored to address the purposes, terms
and conditions of the conservation easement and the purposes of the
grant. The grant agreement shall include minimum requirements for a
monitoring protocol and describe a process for amending the protocol as
necessary, over time.
IV. All grant agreements shall require the grantee to monitor land protected
with a conservation easement purchased with funds allocated by the
WCB. The grantee shall monitor the property at least annually to assess
compliance with the terms and conditions of the conservation easement,
as well as whether the purposes of the conservation easement and the
grant agreement are being met. The grantee shall provide a written report
of its monitoring activities and the results of such monitoring to the WCB in
accordance with the approved monitoring protocol. The monitoring report
shall document and describe the monitoring activities in a manner that
demonstrates the monitoring was conducted in accordance with the
monitoring protocol approved by the WCB.
V. At the request of the W613, not less than once in any period of three
calendar years, the grantee shall arrange for the WCB to access the
protected property to assess compliance with the terms, covenants and
conditions of the grant agreement. To the extent possible, such visits will
be scheduled at the time of the grantee's annual monitoring visit.
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20, 2008 -
Of particular concern is the language in provision V which states that, "At the
request of the WCB, not less than once in any period of three calendar years, the
grantee shall arrange for the WCB to access the protected property to assess
compliance with the terms, covenants and conditions of the grant agreement". It
has been suggested this language is less than clear with respect to the number of
times the Board can require access to the property and that the intent of the
Board was to limit access to no more than once every three calendar years.
In drafting the adopted policy, staff believed that absent a known or suspected
violation of the grant agreement or conservation easement, access to the property
once every three years was sufficient. The purpose of the staff site visit is to
confirm compliance with the terms and conditions of the grant agreement and
conservation easement requirements. Further, given limited staff and resources,
a site visit once every three years would suffice, given the Grantee's (easement
holder) annual report did not indicate any violation and the annual monitoring
reports were prepared in accordance to the approved monitoring protocol and
Board adopted policy.
The Board has a long and successful history of developing partnerships with
regional and local land trusts, cities, counties and special districts. Moreover, up
to August of 2008, the Board has approved the allocation of$270 million for 173
projects designed to assist with the purchase of conservation easements
protecting 380,572± acres of critical fish and wildlife habitat, open space,
agricultural lands and working landscapes.
Given the successful partnerships the Board has established with the land trust
community, cities, counties and special districts, staff proposes to amend the
monitoring policy to (1) clarify the Board's intent and (2) reinforce the need for
standards and practices that are accountable and transparent to the people of
California. As such, staff recommends the following amendment to provision V of
the monitoring policy.
V. At the request of the WCB, the grantee shall arrange for the WCB to access the
protected property to assess compliance with the terms, covenants and
conditions of the grant agreement once every three years or more often as
agreed to by the parties. To the extent possible, such visits will be scheduled at
the time of the grantee's annual monitoring visit. In the event and at the time that
the grantee notifies the landowner of a known or threatened violation of the terms,
covenants or conditions of the grant agreement or conservation easement, the
grantee will notify the WCB. Accordingly, the grantee shall make arrangements
for additional timely access by the WCB to the protected property to assess the
reported violation and compliance.
Staff recommends the amended monitoring policy be approved and if adopted, be
included in all future grant agreements and conservation easements approved for
funding by the Wildlife Conservation Board.
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Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, November 20,2008
30. Executive Session (Not Open to the Public)
THE BOARD MAY MEET IN CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 11126(e)(1) TO DISCUSS PENDING
LITIGATION, OUTFITTER PROPERTIES, LLC, ROCKY SPRINGS, LLC, V.
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD, ET AL., SACRAMENTO COUNTY,
SUPERIOR COURT, CASE NUMBER 34-2008-8000037
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