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Home My WebLink About12/12/2000, C3 - AUTHORIZATION TO APPLY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT FUNDS FROM THE STATE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD IN SUPPORT OF THE PROJECT KNOWN AS THE JOHNSON RANCH ACQUISITION council Dam i2 -iz -vo j acEnaa aEpoat C I T Y OF SAN LUIS OBISPO FROM: Ken Hampian,Assistant City Administrative Officer�<� Prepared By: Neil Havlik,Natural Resources Manager`Nq SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO APPLY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT FUNDS FROM THE STATE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD IN SUPPORT OF THE PROJECT KNOWN AS THE JOHNSON RANCH ACQUISITION CAO RECOMMENDATION Adopt a resolution authorizing staff to complete and submit an application for grant monies in amount of$300,000 from the State Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB), which would be used in support of the acquisition of the Johnson Ranch, at Ontario Road and Highway 101. DISCUSSION The owners of the Johnson Ranch have entered into a one-year option with the City of San Luis Obispo to allow purchase of the family's 242 acre property in the Irish Hills on August 15, 2000. Since that time City staff have pursued a variety of sources seeking to assemble a funding package for the project. With the passage of Proposition 12 on the State ballot in March and subsequent budget allocations, significant new funds are available for projects around the State that benefit fish and wildlife resources. These funds are controlled by the WCB, which is the acquisition "arm" of the California Department of Fish and Game. With strong interest in the Irish Hills being shown by State agencies, City efforts to elicit support for the "City portion" of the Irish Hills conservation effort (along Los Osos Valley Road and Highway 101 west of the City) have been positively received, and City staff have been encouraged to seek funding for those projects (e.g., Foster property and Johnson Ranch). For this reason staff is recommending that the Council at this time formally request WCB funding support for the Foster property acquisition. FISCAL IMPACT The grant, if successful, will provide outside funding to support City acquisition of the property, thereby providing a beneficial fiscal effect. The City's application some time ago to the Regional Water Quality Control Board has been successful, and we are awaiting word on several other grant programs. At the current time, therefore, we anticipate the following funding package for the project: • Regional Water Quality Control Board funds $400,000 • City funds $350,000 • Wildlife Conservation Board $300,000 Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program $250,000 • "Avila 11"funds $100,000 0-1 Council Agenda Report-Authorization of Application for Grant Funds Page 2 • Habitat Conservation Fund $100,000 • Recreational Trails Program %100,00 TOTAL $1,600,000 Several other outside funding sources at the State level are also being pursued, and it is possible that the above funding scenario could change. ALTERNATIVE The Council could decide not to pursue the grant monies. This is not recommended as submitting the application does not commit the City in any way; if, however, we choose not to apply we will lose the opportunity entirely. Attachments 1. Resolution 2. Location Map 3. WCB Grant Program Summary C3-2 A 4athni&14- I RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD FOR THE PROJECT KNOWN AS JOHNSON RANCH ACQUISITION WHEREAS, the State of California Wildlife Conservation Board is a State agency empowered to grant funds to local agencies for real property acquisition for conservation purposes; and WHEREAS, the staff of the WCB and of the Department of Fish and Game has indicated an interest in supporting preservation of a portion of the Irish Hills near the City of San Luis Obispo, because of that area's natural resources of local, regional, and statewide interest; and WHEREAS, The City of San Luis Obispo similarly maintains a strong interest in the conservation of said lands for a variety of public benefit purposes NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo hereby: 1. Authorizes the filing of an application for grant funds from the Wildlife Conservation Board for the project known as Johnson Ranch acquisition; and 2. Appoints the City Administrative Officer as agent of the City to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents, including, but not limited to, applications, agreements, amendments, payment requests and so on, which may be necessary for the completion of the aforementioned project. Approved and adopted this 12th day of December, 2000. On motion of , seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Allen K. Settle, Mayor ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM: L14 02= Lee Price, City Clerk r rg se City AV y �3-3 �`� 1, �_� 1. _. �� \ !? I � I r'I � j -�:::.••-. ham` �, '•, � •� or � � y�'. �re J '•\ , '��-fir•_ .__ •-._ __- - ./;• /�._. _ `` l � JL moi' �— --•.0 ``'_---�r��r r � I ��.. \`a�` , , 1�� I� � -- . /7 ,� �_,_� t \\ � '' \ \• ;.� ,'.J !rte � kl �1� I Yom• d j 1 r .�-.- -'I.''-•\ a -tea \/� ,'I � ` 1 - _ �` G� Sl �.' —� \�` # as -,_.- _ � •I IS, . ;. +'d '.`'.,+.. ` � � ��'' ��1 _ LL, ... �'"1�•r'r' � �- fis !Isy - l,;' it V ,I <<� 8+3 Q VVIL 4 VST ',l�i •.`�� „+ I r•r_J _ _ _�_�.. —Awl — '�A� �..L. . ... . .,l'a�G . ' 1. 11 �� . '•��'i �'r - _rpt:rft +V fr_ '� ��`. ,Y.y��... .. CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO GREENBELT PROTECTION PROGRAM JOHNSON RANCH (aka AYERS PROPERM Pismo Beach Quadrangle, California scale V'== 1,200'approx. C34 2esources Agency Dep::-hent of Fish and Game WiConservatiu.: ^ward http://www.dfg.cu.Z��,/wcb/wcb_Wcb_page.hti ATTACHMENT 3 Resources Agency Department of Fish and Game Wildlife Conservation Board F Michael Chrisman.Chaimian Ywialdlife President, Fish and Game Commission CBB. Timothy Gage, MembDepartment of Finance e of California Robert C. Hight, Member C'nmer 7atinn Ron Department of Fish and Game Al Wright, Executive Director 1807 13th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 Legislative Interim Advisory Committee Senator Pat Johnston Assembly Member Mike Machado Senator Jack O'Connell Assembly Member Virginia Strom-Martin Senator Byron Sher Assembly Member Howard Wayne Wildlife Conservation Board Meetings for 2000 Thursday, February 17th - 10:00 Thursday, August 10th- 10:00 AM AM Wednesday,May 24th- 10:00 AM Thursday, November 2nd- 10:00 AM Location: State Capitol,room to be announced. BRIEF OVERVIEW The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB)was created by legislation in 1947 to administer a capital outlay program for wildlife conservation and related public recreation. Originally created within the California Department of Natural Resources, and later placed with the Department of Fish and Game,the WCB is a separate and independent Board with authority and funding to carry out an acquisition and development program for wildlife conservation (California Fish and Game Code 1300, et seq.). The Board consists of the President of the Fish and Game Commission, the Director of the Department of Fish and Game and the Director of the Department of Finance. Legislation that created the Board also established a Legislative Advisory Committee consisting of three members of the Senate and three members of the Assembly, which meet with the Board,providing legislative oversight. The primary responsibilities of the Board are to select, authorize and allocate funds for the purchase of land and waters suitable for recreation purposes and the preservation,protection and restoration of wildlife habitat. The Board approves and fiords projects that set aside lands within the State-for such purposes, through acquisition or other means,to meet these objectives. The Board can also authorize the construction of facilities for recreational purposes on property in which it has a proprietary interest. FUNCTIONS AND PROGRAMS The Wildlife Conservation Board's three main functions are land acquisition,habitat restoration and development of wildlife oriented public access facilities. These activities are carried out undq ke I of 4 10/25/00 5:28 PN Kesources.. ncy Department of h Asn and l;ac._ .^onservation ki::u' http:,..:..w.dfg.ca.gov/wcb/wcb_web_pai Attachment 3 , Page 2 following seven programs: Land Acquisition Program Public Access Program Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Program (General) Inland Wetlands Conservation Program (IWCP) California Riparian Habitat Conservation Program (CRHCP) Land Conservation Matching Grants Program(Matching Grant Program) Natural Heritage Preservation Tax Credit Program (Tax Credit Program) A report of some of the activities for the 1998-99 fiscal year was presented in the Department of Fish and Game's full-color publication, OUTDOOR CALIFORNIA, and is also presented here. Land Acquisition Program The acquisition program is administered pursuant to the Board's original enabling legislation, "The Wildlife Conservation Law of 1947" (Fish and Game Section 1300, et seq.)and land acquisition is a component of all WCB programs. The Wildlife Conservation Board(WCB) acquires real property or rights in real property on behalf of the Department of Fish and Game and can also grant funds to other governmental entities or nonprofit organizations to acquire real property or rights in real property. All acquisitions are made on a"willing seller"basis pursuant to a fair market value appraisal as approved by the Department of General Services (DGS). The acquisition activities are carried out in conjunction with the Department of Fish and Game (DFG), with the DFG recommending priorities for proposed acquisitions. Following the DFG site evaluations, recommendations are submitted to the WCB for consideration for funding. Information on the evaluation process is available through any of the DFG Regional offices listed below. Public Access Program The public access activities are also carried out pursuant to The Wildlife Conservation Law of 1947. Public access development is generally carried out with the assistance of local governments, with all projects having the purposes of providing "wildlife-oriented"public access opportunities. Public access activities include acquisition of land for public access as well as development of lands to provide public access. Typically, a local government sponsor assumes the operation and maintenance for the project improvements which may be located on Department-owned or other lands,where cooperative agreements will provide for continued protection of the project areas. Project improvements have included fishing piers, boat launching ramps and trails for fish and hunting access, or for just observing and enjoying plants and wildlife in a natural setting. Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Program(General) Funds were made available to WCB for the enhancement and restoration of a variety of habitat types through the Habitat Conservation Fund,the General Fund,the Wildlife Restoration Fund through the Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water,Clean Air, and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2000. In addition to wetland and riparian habitat,funds are available for the enhancement and restoration of Threatened and Endangered Species Habitats; Forest Land Habitat; and for Salton Sea Restoration Projects. Eligible enhancement and restoration projects must provide for the long-term maintenance of the restored C3-6 - 2of4 10/25/00 52E ..... ...N............�. � .a.i ai�_i vu��c�wi .;:nservation hoard ttp:; S g h ��ww.df .ca. ov/wcb/wcb_webj90 J Attachment 3 Page 3 and/or enhanced habitat. Eligible applicants for restoration projects include nonprofit conservation organizations and federal, state or local governmental agencies. Habitat enhancement and restoration projects, like the acquisition and public access projects, are carried out pursuant to recommendations from the DFG. Restoration and public access projects may be located on Department-owned or other lands. Inland Wetlands Conservation Program The Inland Wetlands Conservation Program (IWCP) was created by legislation and became effective January 1, 1991 (Chapter 1645, Statues of 1990/Fish and Game Code 1400, et seq.). IWCP was created to support and complement the efforts of the Central Valley Habitat Joint Venture (CVHJV), which is a component of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP). The NAWMP is an international effort to restore waterfowl and other migratory bird populations by protecting and restoring wetland habitat from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian Arctic. During the mid-70's, an agreement between Canada, Mexico and the United States was developed to provide a blueprint for restoring continental waterfowl populations. The parties recognized that regional administration would be needed to implement the guiding principles, and the CVHJV was established. The ultimate goal of the CVHJV program is to protect, maintain and restore wetland habitat to increase waterfowl populations in the Central Valley of California. California's Central Valley extends approximately 400 miles from Red Bluff in the north to Bakersfield in the south. Eligible projects include wetland habitat acquisitions, as well as wetland habitat enhancements and restorations. Enhancement and restoration projects can be carried out on public or private lands. Eligible grant applicants include nonprofit organizations, special districts and state and local governments. California Riparian Habitat Conservation Program The California Riparian Habitat Conservation Program(CRHCP)was created by legislation and became effective January 1, 1992 (Chapter 762, Statutes 1991/Fish and Game Code Section 1385, et seq.). The goals of the CRHCP are to protect,preserve,restore and enhance riparian habitat throughout California. Eligible projects include riparian habitat acquisitions, as well as riparian habitat enhancements and restorations. Enhancement and restoration projects can be carried out on public or private lands. Eligible grant applicants include nonprofit organizations, special districts and federal, state and local governments. Typical projects include bank stabilization, conversion of flood plain agricultural crops to riparian vegetation, fencing riparian corridors to control and manage livestock, removal of exotic plant species and planting of native riparian habitat. Land Conservation Matching Grants Program The Land Conservation Matching Grants Program (Matching Grants Program)was established by the 2000-01 California State Budget specifically for acquisition and restoration for habitat or open space throughout the State of California. Grants may be made to governmental agencies and private entities, as long as the non-state source match requirement is met,provided,however,that priority shall be given to private matching contributions. All restoration project proposals must include provisions for long-term maintenance of the restored and/or enhanced project area and all acquisitions require in perpetuity protection of the proposed acquisition area. Natural Heritage Preservation Tax Credit Program The Natural Heritage Preservation Tax Credit Program (Tax Credit Program)was established by legislation in 2000(Chapter 113, Statutes of 2000). This legislation requires the WCB to implement a program under which tax credits may be given in exchange for certain property being donated to the state, local government or a nonprofit organization for the protection of wildlife habitat, open s ace.and U3-7 - 3 of 4 10/25/00 5:28 �urces Agency Departrr,c,n;r„Fish and Game Wildi.JAM servation Boa%; http://www.dfg.ca.go�"%-:c6iwcb_web_pag, Attachment 3 , Page 4 agricultural lands. Department of Fish and Game Regional Offices: Northern California-North Coast Region Sacramento Valley-Central Sierra Region Region 1 Headquarters Region 2 Headquarters 601 Locust Street 1701 Nimbus Road, Suite A Redding, California 96001 Rancho Cordova, California 95670 (530) 225-2300 (916) 358-2900 Central Coast Region San Joaquin Valley-Southem Sierra Region Region 3 Headquarters Region 4 Headquarters 7329 Silverado Trail 1234 E. Shaw Avenue Napa, California 94558 Fresno, California 93710 (707) 944-5500 (559) 243-4005 X151 South Coast Region Eastern Sierra- Inland Deserts Region Region 5 Headquarters Region 6 Headquarters 4949 View Ridge Avenue 330 Golden Shore, Suite 250 San Diego, California 92123 Long Beach, CA 90802 (858) 467-4201 (562) 590-5132 For inquiries relative to the evaluation process, contact the DFG regional office closest to the proposed project area. For information on any of the WCB activities, please contact the Wildlife Conservation Board office: Wildlife Conservation Board 1807 13th Street, Suite 103 Sacramento, California 95814 (916)445-8448 (916) 323-0280(FAX) 9/5/00 C3-8 or4 10/25/00 5:28