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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/27/1989, C-1 - RESOLUTIONS ENDORSING AND CO-SPONSORING APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF WATER MEETING DATE: " u1011�pna�lll city of San tuts OBISpo 2-27-89 BEn COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT "NUM FROM: Michael Multari, Community Development Director BY: Randy Rossi SUBJECT: Resolutions endorsing and co-sponsoring applications for grants from the State Department of Water Resources under the Urban Stream Restoration Program. CAO RECOMMENDATION: Adopt resolutions endorsing and co-sponsoring grant applications prepared by the San Luis Obispo County Land Conservancy and the Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo for creek education, study and restoration incorporating conditions of City review and approval prior to any physical improvements or construction. BACKGROUND: Since 1985 the State Department of Water Resources has provided grants to educational, non-profit and civic organizations to accomplish projects of stream restoration in their communities. Some of the recent creekside work at Mission Plaza was funded by an previous grant from this program to the SLO County Land Conservancy. Two organizations (the SLO County Land Conservancy and the Environmental Center of SLO) are applying for individual grants this year. The projects proposed by each group have been coordinated so that they do not overlap and are complimentary in purpose. The ECOSLO proposal is educational in nature and includes the development of a slide presentation to show ecologically sensitive solutions to bank stabilization and to inform the public about creek values. The amount requested by ECOSLO is $ 11,020. The Land Conservancy's proposal consists of five projects: 1) a study of lower Prefumo Creek bank stabilization and existing obstacles to fish migration; 2) educational materials on flood-proofing techniques; 3) working with City staff on flood management policy, transfer of development rights and (if approved by the City) study of detention dam options; 4) study of 20 acres near the wastewater plant for joint use to achieve habitat - and water quality objectives; and, 5) environmental education on creek resources. The amount requested by the Conservancy is $77,000. The detailed grant proposals for each application are attached. Staff of Community Development, Public Works and Utilities have discussed and reviewed the applications. Staff supports the grant applications with the proviso that prior to the implementation of any project involving physical improvements (bank stabilization, fish ladder, etc.) on public or private property that the approval of the city be obtained. The Community Development Department would be designated the liaison to the applicant organizations. No project would be undertaken that conflicts with City plans or policies. Any implementation would be closely coordinated with, and require the approval of CDD, Public Works, Engineering and Utilities, as appropriate. SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSAL No financial participation by the City is requested or required. Most of the proposed effort is educational or investigative in nature. CDD staff would participate in the development of work scopes and review work products. Implementation of projects involving physical construction could not begin without the approval of the city. CONSEQUENCES OF NOT TAKING AN ACTION The grant applications can not be filed without the city as co-sponsor. The proposed programs are considered by staff to be valuable contributions to the resolution of creek-related problems. No action would mean that the applicants could not file with the granting agency and no educational or project funds could be forthcoming. Attachments: Resolution - ECOSLO ECOSLO Grant Proposal Resolution - SLO Land Conservancy �/� J G RESOLUTION NO. (1989 Series) RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO ENDORSING AND CO-APPLYING WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER OF SAN LUIS OBISPO FOR A GRANT FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES' URBAN STREAM RESTORATION PROGRAM WHEREAS, the California Department of Water Resources has a program of Urban Stream Restoration grants for educational programs and implementation of projects associated with stream restoration to benefit the citizens of the State and local communities; and WHEREAS, the Urban Stream Restoration Program has been the source of funds in the past for projects in San Luis Obispo that have resulted in.substantial benefits and improvements to San Luis Obispo Creek including contributions to the restoration and beautification of the creek in the vicinity of Mission Plaza; and �. WHEREAS, the Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo is a duly constituted, well recognized and respected.non-p;ofit organization that has among its goals the enhancement and restoration of the environment, and further, has standing to apply for a grant from the State Department of Water Resources under the Urban Stream Restoration Program; and. WHEREAS, the Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo has demonstrated its ability and willingness to work closely with the City of San Luis Obispo on studies and projects affecting the city's creeks in the past; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo R hereby: 1. Endorses and supports the attached applic^tion for an Urban Stream Restoration Grant by the Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo; 2. Desires to be co-applicant for the grant; and, 3. Requests that the actual work of the Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo pursuant to this grant request, if funded, be subject to the review and approval of the city and that all projects recommended for implementation or construction be approved by the city in advance. Resolution No. (1989 Series) Page 2 On motion of seconded by and on the following role call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this 21st day of February, 1989. Mayor Ron Dunin ATTEST: City Clerk Pam Voges APPROVED: City Administrative Officer City Attor ey Community Development Director February 1, 1989 Mayor Dunin and City Council City of San Luis Obispo City Hall San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Dear Mayor Dunin and Members of the City Council; ECOSLO is applying this year to the Department of Water Resources for an Urban Streams Restoration Grant. Since its inception,Water- Resources has acted as an information clearinghouse for those interested in problems relating to the creeks. We answer numerous calls concerning wildlife, pollution, and oil spills that affect the creeks. Our office maintains a list of agencies with responsibilities pertaining to the creeks and make numerous referrals. We believe the time is ripe to expand our work with riparian issues. This past winter we presented a program outlining aesthetic, ecological and hydrological values of the creeks; problems that are facing our creeks in San Luis Obispo; and some solutions to the ever-present dilemma of preserving the ecological values of creeks while preventing major damage from flooding. The response from the public has been overwhelming. There is a tremendous amount of concern and interest. There is also a tremendous need for further education and information. With help from the grant monies, we hope to greatly expand our educational program in hopes of working. on creativesolutions to prevention of flood damage and ecological degradation of the creeks. A major part of our effort will be to clean up portions of the creek using volunteers organized by our office. With the garbage and trash removed, we can again take pride in our creeks! The second major thrust will be to compile examples of flood damage protection and bank stabilization techniques that are being used in communities state-wide that are both effective and acceptable politically and ecologically. We shall be collecting and disseminating information on costs, effectiveness, .and suitability of these innovative creek management techniques. We are asking for a resolution of support and for the City to become the co-sponsoring government agency for this grant application. As co-sponsors of the grant, you would be supporting an effort to resolve some of the conflicts that arise when dealing with our creeks. Cities around the state are discovering that by working with citizens' groups, they are able to formulate flood damage reduction policies that are both effective and acceptable to the public. You would not be committing yourselves to financial outlays but to the support of the concept of working with a community group on creative solutions. We do anticipate working with your staff to determine the suitability of techniques and policies. Thank you for your consideration. :nviror mental Center Sincerely, � of San Luis Obispo /U,u.�PaicPrvl, P.O. Box 1014 Cyteuhauser San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 (80b)544-1777 Board of Trustee900%PMcuq,Pa►M do /-/� ECOSLO GFt:r PROPOSAL—URBAN STREAMS RE5-,vORATION PROGRAM I. PURPOSE The purpose of this project is to educate the public about the issues that are facing the creeks. This education will have two major goals: 1) to educate people as to the value and benefits of the creek and 2) to introduce them to the wide range of environmentally sensitive flood damage protection strategies and stream bank stabilization techniques. Even within the ecologically minded population,there is an appalling lack of knowledge about creek systems, in general, and alternative bank stabilization techniques, in particular. Our goal with this project is to reach both the general public and the engineers and policy makers. The general slide show and creek clean-up projects will both educate the public and involve them intimately with the creeks so they begin to see creeks as a part of their lives and begin to take personal responsibility for their care. The more technical slide show will be used to educate both the engineers and the interested public in appropriate alternative bank stabilization techniques. We are requesting money to update and expand our general slide show,to develop and produce the technical slide show, and to pay for staff time to implement an aggressive outreach program to educate and implement the stream clean-up and monitering programs. II.TECHNIQUES We shall improve our existing slide show that will introduce people to the creek and its beauty, explain why it is a vital part of the community, detail what problems it faces and outline ecologically sensitive solutions to the problems.We will be introducing people to the ideas of flood-proofing, set-backs,vegetated gabions,wood crib walls, brush layering and tree planting, among others, and showing examples from around the state. This slide show will be shown by our creek specialist to as many groups in the community as possible. We envision reaching groups such as the Farm Bureau, local conservation groups, Girl and Boy Scout troops, Home-schoolers Network, local biology classes,contructon associations, realtors groups, garden clubs, etc..Where appropriate,we will work with the group to design on-going projects such as tree-planting,creek clean-ups, monitering projects or phone trees for creek crises. These projects are designed to get the public into the creeks so they can discover Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo P.O. Box 1014 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 t00%Reryded Papv (805)$44-1777 /j'/- first-hand the problems that the creeks are facing, and to create an active constituency for the creek We shall also develop a more technical slide show to be shown to policy makers, seriously interested creek activists and engineers. This shall also cover general creek information, but will emphasize alternative bank stabilization projects and low-cost flood damage reduction strategies. We shall also compile a list of areas that have used these different strategies and,•if possible, compile data on their specifications, e.g. high flow rates, costs of the project, effectiveness and name of agency to contact for further information. We are particularly interested in this aspect of the project since the Parks and Open space Elements for the City are under review. A major component of this effort deals directly with urban creek issues. Several bridges are also scheduled to be replaced in town over the next several years. We hope to be able to work with the engineers on incorporating some of these lower cosi, environmentally sensitive bank stabilization techniques for these projects. III.COOPERATION WITH LOCAL FLOOD CONTROL The City of San Luis Obispo Planning staff will be re-examining flood control policies during the next year. This is a critical time to get the public involved in the planning stages of the document to ensure that ecologically appropriate and low-cost non-structural techniques are included in the new policy. The public must be activated to become knowledgeable and informed so it becomes a respected part of the policy formation process. Our outreach education program is specifically designed to address these issues. IV. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION The primary and urgent purpose for this project is to actively involve the public in stream issues, awareness and care. A major part of the project will be organizing stream clean-ups and monitoring projects, and perhaps planting of native trees and shrubs of parties we contact through the educational outreach. These projects will be done with volunteer labor using different groups as mentioned above in r..-. part 11. Mvironmental Center of San Luis Obispo P.O. Box 1014 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 t00%Rmc1r ,Pov r (805)594-1777 ��,i Last year, Stream Consciousness organized a volunteer crew of approximately 75 people to plant trees streamside. We anticipate working with them again this year to reach an even wider segment of the public and to coordinate more focused groups of creek advocates. Wj ECOSLO, the sponsoring organization, is a 17 year old community environmental education organization. We are soliciting the support of the Sierra Club, Salmon Enhancement Program, California Native Plant Society, the Scouts, Fish and Game, and Stream Consciousness. V. EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS There has been extensive planning and policies have been developed for San Luis Obispo Creek; some are progressive and others not. Too often the progressive policies. e.g. restoration plans, top-of-bank set backs, etc., are ignored in the day-today decision making process. In order for these policies to be actually implemented,we need to have a concerned, informed and educated public. The slide show is intended to stimulate concern for the fate of the creeks and educate the public as to what is not only possible but actually being used throughout the state. It shall provide them with a good background enabling them to speak knowledgeably to the issues surrounding the creek. When the Ione voice becomes a chorus calling for ecologically sensible flood damage protection and bank stabilization programs, we shall see such policies put into practice. VI. REPORTING OF RESULTS We shall submit a final report that will include:copies of graphics (posters, etc.) that were used to advertise programs, meetings and workshops;lists of all speaking engagements; summary (including slides) of all stream work—clean-ups, plantings, monitering projects established, etc.; report on the formation and general description of activity of any local group whose activity is sparked with regards to creek restoration and enhancement;an analysis of the overall effect of the public education program, including copies of press coverage of creek issues and case histories in which the educated public made its collective voice heard. VII.LONG TERM GOALS We are hoping to create a permanent and growing constituency for the creek that will continue to moniter the creeks and provide a well-informed Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo P.O. Box 1014 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 (805)544-1777 Io/0eb Rrcyckl(Popr. voice on riparian issues. We will retain the slide show and shall continue to use it to stimulate interest in the creeks and in creative, low-cost; non-damaging policies and techniques of urban creek protection and flood damage reduction. We hope to spread the seed of this project to watersheds around the county. VIII. IF NO FUNDING? If our proposal were denied funding, we would continue to work on a vastly reduced, volunteer basis to educate the public on creek issues. Our effectiveness and outreach would be greatly reduced, but not obliterated. Should our porposal be selected for partial funding,we would scale back the slide show outreach and research into the more technical aspects of bank stabilization. We would concentrate on the San Luis Obispo Creek drainage, rather than spread county-wide, since the flood control policy for that drainage is up for review in the coming year. We would also scale back the number of actual volunteer creek clean-up and monitering projects to a number supportable by the new budget. IX. LOCAL CONTRIBUTION The vast majority of the work envisioned will be accomplished by volunteers. The stream clean-ups will be done exclusively with volunteer labor groups such as the Scouts, Homeschoolers network, school groups and members of the general public. We will be working with such groups to develop on-going projects such as: monitering projects (signs and posters) for school groups, researching policy alternatives, and working with local planning bodies to incorporate concern for the creek in their projects. A .nvirommental Center of San Luis Obispo P.O. Bou 1014 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 (805)544-1277 AIM-9 wcycrr(P�. o �r X. BUDGET Educational Materials Development Materials This includes duplication of existing slide show where appropriate; film and processing; printing of handouts and lists of technical specifications or contacts for bank stabilization techniques. Includes costs for both the general and technical slide shows. $620.00 Staff Time This shall include photography; research and-documenta- tion of techniques already in place state-wide; compila- tion of data on tecnical issues; development of presen- tacions. 52,350.00 Local Contribution We shall be using, as a base, an existing slide show put together from slides of numerous individuals. We shall duplicate these slides to create a permanent, public slide show. This shall relieve staff of having to re-photograph pertinent situations. Proaram Presentations and Organization of. Stream-side Events Supplies and Insurance This shall include garbage hags; dump fees if necessary; publicity materials; planting materials if appropriate; insurance for the days of the events; projector for presentations: $1,550.00 Staff Time This shall include all organization and presentation of programs; working with groups to develop appropriate on-going follow-up activities, eg monitering programs, stream adoption programs; organizing stream-side events such as clean-ups, planting or small bank stabilization projects - we anticipate a minimum of 5 such events; all other public outreach and education efforts. $5,500.00 Local Contribution All stream-side projects will be accomplished by community volunteers. These may include clean-up programs, on-going biological or development monitering projects, riparian tree-planting events. We anticipate involving all age groups and skill levels in these projects. The number of volunteer hours will far exceed, staff hours since the staff acts as organizer and catalyst. Professional Consulting Fees We are planning to consult, as necessary, with a local hydrologist and engineer to advise staff on technical matters beyond their expertise. . This shall be invaluable to maintain credibility on engineering and hydraulic $1,000.00 issues. TOTAL. $11,020.00 Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo P.O. Box 1014 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 (805) 544-1777 //A/100'6/Rrrycl Pavr, V sC 0 RESOLUTION NO. (1989 Series) RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO ENDORSING AND CO-APPLYING WITH THE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY LAND CONSERVANCY FOR A GRANT FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES' URBAN STREAM RESTORATION;PROGRAM WHEREAS, the California Department of Water Resources has a program of Urban Stream Restoration grants for educational programs and implementation of projects associated with stream restoration to benefit the citizens of the State and local communities; and WHEREAS, the Urban Stream Restoration. Program has been the source of funds in the past for projects in San Luis Obispo that have resulted in substantial benefits and improvements to San Luis Obispo Creek including contributions to the restoration and beautification of the creek in the vicinity of Mission Plaza; and WHEREAS, the San Luis Obispo County Land Conservancy is a duly constituted, well recognized and respected non-profit organization that has among its goals the enhancement and restoration of the environment, and further, has standing to apply for a grant from the State Department of Water Resources under the Urban Stream Restoration Program; and WHEREAS, the San Luis Obispo County Land Conservancy has demonstrated its ability and willingness to work closely with the City of San Luis Obispo on studies and projects affecting the city's creeks in the past; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo ' hereby: 1. Endorses and supports the attached application for an Urban Stream Restoration Grant by the San Luis Obispo County Land Conservancy; 2. Desires to be co-applicant for the grant; and, 3. Requests that the actual work of the San Luis Obispo County Land Conservancy pursuant to this grant request, if funded, be subject to the review and �. approval of the city and that all projects recommended for implementation or construction be approved by the city in advance. ��-la i Resolution No. (1989 Series) Page 2 On motion of seconded by and on the following role call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this 21st day of February, 1989. Mayor Ron Dunin ATTEST: City Clerk Pam Voges APPROVED: City Administrative Officer City Attoyney ' Community Development Director San Luis Obispo County LAND CONSERVANCY February 9, 1989 a usnocssacts n by La2o°as i Respond by: Council Hon. Ron Dunin, MayorCA0 j and Members of the City Council aN Atty. 1 City of San Luis Obispo Gawk-ong. City Hall N.0401 pl San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 J.S�c.EoN j Dear Mr. Dunin and Councilmembers: The San Luis Obispo County Land Conservancy is applying for another grant from the State Department of Water Resources under their Urban Stream Restoration Program. This program recently obtained a new infusion of funding from Proposition 70, the California Coastal, Parks and Wildlife Bond. Act of 1988 . We are once again seeking the endorsement of the City of San Luis Obispo for our grant application. In 1986, and again in 1988, the Land Conservancy sought and received your endorsement of our applications for funding under this program.. Our first grant supported preparation of the San Luis Obispo Creek Restoration Plan, which last year earned the - "Outstanding. Planning Award for Comprehensive Planning" from the California Chapter of the American Planning Association. The 1988 grant allowed us to implement some portions of that plan, and expand local awareness of .creek habitat issues through our summer exhibit in Mission Plaza. We have worked closely with the City on each of our two previous grants. In particular, we're very proud of our work with the CCC in installing bank stabilization walls and landscaping in Mission Plaza and in a tree-planting program in Meadow Park. We antici- pate a continuation of this productive working relationship for this proposal. We enclose an outline of our proposal and some draft grant appli- cation materials, which must be submitted by February 29 to the Department of Water Resources. The City may wish to support only a portion of those items that we have listed; however, we would obviously prefer that we have your support for all of them. In. addition, we are open to the possibility of augmenting our grant proposal to include other creek-related projects that we had not previously considered. We would call your attention to the fact that we have bud getted $25, 000 for improvements to the Prefumo Creek area within, the City limits. This sum may not be sufficient to apply the full PECEI VL, P.O.Box 12206 FIB 13 10 San Luis Obispo,CA.93406 CRYOAMK '+ (805) 544-9096 t"C8S OCA V% !a r City of San Luis Obispo February 9, 1989 Page 2 array of stabilization and enhancement measures needed to do the job. We recommend that you consider the possibility of the City's participation in this portion of our overall program, perhaps during the course of your upcoming budget workshops. To the extent that you're able to commit some City funding toward this or other creek projects, it would reinforce our grant re- quest. We have also been working with ECOSLO and Ms. Judy Neuhauser on their grant proposal for San Luis Obispo Creek. Both organiza- tions have prepared their proposals so as to maximize our resources, and we can assure you that our programs are coordi- nated and complementary. We urge you to support their request as well as our own. Thank you for considering the endorsement of our grant proposal. We look forward to working with you and with the staff on creek issues in the future. Sincerely, 71Robert L. Jones/% President enc: Grant Proposal 1 URBAN STREAMS RESTORATION PROGRAM GRANT PROPOSAL FOR SLD CREEK Since our formation in 1984, the San Luis Obispo County Land Conservancy has held a strong interest in San Luis Obispo Creek and its riparian resources. This creek continues to be the focus of our efforts for restoration and enhancement projects, and will be the subject of our 1989 grant application to the State Depart- ment of Water Resources under their Urban Streams Restoration Program. We have proposed the following five elements for our 1989 restor- ation grant: 1. Prefumo Creek Bank Stabilization and Fish Habitat Enhancement. Our first priority will be to plan and execute a bank stabilization, landscaping, and habitat enhancement project along the lower end of Prefumo Creek, near Laguna Lake. Prefumo Creek is one of the most important tributaries of San Luis Obispo Creek with respect to steelhead habitat. The portion of Prefumo Creek lying within the City has been substantially modified by development, and indeed an entire segment was diverted into Laguna Lake in the early 60 's. Barriers to fish migration occur in at least two locations within the City limits, and the riparian corridor is lacking in significant vegetation in many places. Some of the areas most in need of resto- ration involve City-owned property in the Laguna Lake Municipal Golf Course above Los Osos Valley Road. This project will involve two phases: A) Fish Barrier Investigation/Design: We will work with Fish and Game personnel and City engineering staff to investigate var- ious barriers to fish migration along the course of Prefumo Creek. These include a concrete barrier near Calle Joaquin, and a fish ladder under Los Osos Valley Road. The current ladder does not appear to be working as well as intended due to a steep gradient and shallow distance between the flanges.. We will work with City staff and Fish and Game engineers to inves- tigate and design alternative structures to replace the bar- riers. As part of this investigation, we will assess impacts of installing such structures on creek hydrology and biology, as well as adjacent land uses. Funding for actual construction of any replacement structures would be derived from other sources (including possibly Wildlife Conservation Board, Cal- trans, City, or private funding) . B) Bank Stabilization and Corridor Enhancement: We will design and install, subject to City review and approval, creek habitat enhancement measures to improve the qualityof the riparian C URBAN STREAMS RESTORATION PROGRAM GRANT PROPOSAL FOR SLO CREEK corridor through the City golf course. Techniques to be consi- dered will include wood crib walls, brush-layering with wattles, use of gabions overlain with soil and groundcover, and jute matting or .similar materials to stabilize eroding banks. It is anticipated that the Land Conservancy will use crews from the CCC San Luis Obispo Center in installing the stabilization materials in the golf course; the CCC crews are preferred over volunteer groups due to their training and supervision, and because the golf course is expected to continue in active use throughout the duration of the project. BUDGET A) Fish Barrier Investigation/Design: $12,500 - B) 12,500B) Bank Stabilization and Corridor Enhancement: 12,500 Sub-total: $25,000 2. Flood-Proofing Investigation . and Public Education Program Our second component recognizes a need identified in our original Restoration Plan for SLO Creek: A comprehensive flood-proofing program for property that is subject to flood damages, particularly in the downtown. The theory behind this program is that an effec- tive flood-proofing program is a part of the City's commitment to reduce flood damages while maintaining a viable riparian corridor in SLO Creek. This program will involve 2 phases: A) Data Base: We will work with the City and with the County Office of Emergency Services to develop a data base identifying flood- prone properties in the City, where flood-proofing might be cost-effective. We will then review the County's existing alert system for flood warnings, and design our data on flood-prone properties to be compatible with the County's com- puterized alert system. B) .Public Education:. We will design and print a brochure that describes flood-proofing techniques; distribute the brochure along with an announcement of a workshop on the subject of flood-proofing; and conduct a workshop to educate property owners and tenants on how and whether to flood-proof. BUDGET A) Flood-Proofing Data Base: $ 51000 B) Public Education: 31500 Sub-total: $ 81500 ��/ �AS URBAN STREAMS RESTORATION PROGRAM GRANT AROPOSAL FOR SLO CREEK 3 . Policy Coordination with City and County This task will include continued participation by Land Conservancy staff and volunteers on policy issues involving San Luis Obispo Creek. Many of these issues were identified and specific proposals called out in our 1987 Restoration Plan for the creek. The Land Conservancy hopes to continue coordination with the City in solving issues of floodplain management, focussing on these three topics: A) Flood Management Policy and Open Space/Parks Plan Development: In 1989-90, the City of San Luis Obispo is preparing to update two very important documents that would affect the creek dir- ectly and indirectly. The Flood Management Policy is the guiding manual by which the City makes both long-term and day- to-day decisions on the creek with respect to flood damage reduction. The Open Space Plan will also be updated, and significant parts of that document will concern public access and riparian corridors as natural resources for the City. The issues of setback dedications from the creeks and of a proposed creekside trail system will be addressed in the Open Space Plan. We hope to participate in the decision process for both these documents. B) Transfer of Development Rights Study: The topic of Transferable Development Rights or "TDB's" is becoming increasingly impor- tant for growth management in this County--particularly in unincorporated areas. The Land Conservancy already runs a TDR program in Lodge Hill, a neighborhood in Cambria in the north- ern part of the County's coastline. We propose to examine whether or not this program could be extended to obtain volun- tary riparian corridor protection by landowners along the creek, in return for higher densities in non-riparian areas of their property. It is anticipated that this concept may be most applicable in farm and ranch areas south of the City where the 1987 Restoration Program had identified the need for ripa- rian and scenic easements to protect Middle and Lower San Luis Obispo Creek. Many of the properties along this portion of the creek have upland areas some distance from the creek where development rights could be recognized without damaging creek resources or requiring expensive flood protection measures. We would hope to identify the specific riparian areas needing protection, prepare model easements that would provide this protection, and work with individual landowners on a voluntary basis to identify "sending areas" on their property to which development rights could be theoretically transferred. C) Detention Dam Follow-up Study (optional) : The 1987 Restoration Plan had proposed a study of the feasibility of a detention dam in Upper San Luis Obispo Creek to alleviate flood damages to URBAN STREAMS RESTORATION PROGRAM GRANT PROPOSAL FOR SLO CREEK Middle SLO Creek without creek widenirig. A first-level "recon- naissance study" of this dam proposal is almost completed by a consultant to the City. We would propose to assist the City in completing a more comprehensive analysis of this proposal, if the reconnaissance study has identified that the project could be feasible. (If the City Council decides not to proceed with this proposal further, we would withdraw this item from our grant proposal. ) BUDGET A) Flood Management/Open Space Policy Coordination: $ 7,500 B) Transfer of Development Rights Analysis: 81000 C) Detention Dam Follow-Up Study: 91500 Sub-total: $25, 000 4. Wastewater Reclamation & Creek Corridor/Plant Site Investigation The 1986 Restoration Plan had noted that there was great potential for re-use of the City's wastewater to enhance the creek corridor downstream of the treatment plant. In addition, there is substan- tial riparian habitat along a 20-acre streamside site within the boundaries of their wastewater treatment plant property. The City Council decided in October 1988 to invest over $20 million in improvements to the sewer system to achieve discharge standards imposed by the Regional Water Quality Control Board. We propose to work with City Utility Department staff and wastewater engineering consultants (Brown & Caldwell) to investigate options for the use of wastewater and any surplus land area at the treatment plant site to enhance the riparian corridor--possibly to create new wetland habi- tat. The wastewater re-use analysis will examine options for the City to discharge its treated wastewater both to sustain a live stream and to recharge groundwater basins downstream of the treat- ment plant. Additional technical study is needed of water quality, habitatvalue, and cost/revenue implications of each option. We propose to use at least one consultant for this study, to supplement Land Conservancy staff capability. BUDGET Technical consultant on wastewater re-use and/or riparian resource analysis: $10, 000 Land Consevancy staff time and overhead: 3 ,500 Sub-total: $13,500 URBAN STREAMS RESTORATION PROGRAM GRANT PROPOSAL FOR SIO CREEK 5. Environmental Education on Creek Resources The Land Conservancy has formal ties now with two institutions that are important to our creek projects and environmental education within the community: The California Conservation Corps and the Rancho El Chorro Environmental Education Center (operated by the County Superintendent of Schools) . We propose to use grant funds to provide a "creek resources education!' program targeted to the youth at the CCC and at Rancho E1 Chorro. We would conduct evening class- es and workshops at both institutions, to help these agencies in their overall curriculum by taking advantage of the extensive Land Conservancy background in creek protection and management. We have prepared some educational materials on the creek, and would use others to be developed by the Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo under their proposal for Urban Streams Restoration Act funds. BUDGET Environmental Education on Creek Resources $ 51000 SUMMARY TOTAL BUDGET/LAND CONSERVANCY GRANT PROPOSAL FOR SLO CREEK TASK Title Proposed Budget 1 Prefumo Creek Bank Stabilization and .Habitat JA) Fish Ladder & Check Dam Investigation/Design: $12,500 B) Bank Stabilization and Corridor Enhancement: 12, 500 Sub-total: $25, 000 2 Flood-Proofing Investigation/Public Education A) Flood-Proofing Data Base $ 51000 B) Public Education: 31500 Sub-total: $ 81500 3 Policy Coordination with- City and County A) Flood Management/Open Space Policy Coordination:. $ 7,500 B) Transfer of Development 'Rights Analysis: 81000 C) Detention Dam Follow-Up Study: 91500 Sub-total: $25, 000 4 Wastewater Reclamation and Creek Corridor/Plant Site Investigation Technical consultant on wetlands resource analysis: $10, 000 Land Consevancy staff time and overhead: 31500 Sub-total: $13,500 5 Environmental Education on Creek Resources $ 51000 GRAND TOTAL = $ 77, 000 C}