Title:
Title
Cooperative Agreement: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for the American River Floodplain and Side-Channel Restoration Project
End
FileID
File ID: 2019-00445
Location
Location: Citywide
Recommendation:
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager, or the City Manager’s designee to; 1) apply for U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) Central Valley Project Improvement Act Title XXXIV [CVPIA-3406(b)(13))] funding for Fiscal Years (FY) 2018/19 through 2022/23, for up to the maximum amount of $7,736,839 for the American River Floodplain and Side-Channel Restoration Project (Project); if awarded; 2) accept federal funds in the amount awarded by the USBR by executing the Cooperative Agreement and any subsequent modifications; 3) establish the American River Floodplain and Side-Channel Restoration Project (G14140400); and 4) establish revenue and expenditure budgets up to $7.7 million in the Habitat Management Element (HME) Fund (Fund 7104) for the American River Floodplain and Side-Channel Restoration Project (G14140400).
Contact: Virginia Smith, Program Specialist, (916) 808-1995, Citywide & Community Support; City-County Office of Metropolitan Water Planning (CCOMWP, also known as the Water Forum)
Body
Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Resolution
3-Grant Application
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: The City-County Office of Metropolitan Water Planning (CCOMWP, also known as the Water Forum), recommends the City apply for funds made available through the USBR Central Valley Project Improvement Act [CVPIA-(b)(13)] to fund activities related to the Project for the next five years. Matching funds are not required.
The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to increase and improve salmon and steelhead spawning and rearing habitat by replenishing spawning gravel and establishing additional side-channel habitat at new restoration sites in the lower American River between Nimbus Dam and Discovery Park, a reach of approximately 20 miles. Staff requests authorization to submit the application; execute all necessary agreements and establish related revenue and expenditure budgets.
Policy Considerations: Resolution 2018-0235, Section 11.1, requires City Council approval to accept grant funding, establish a grant project and appropriate grant funding when the award is in excess of $100,000. This report is also submitted in compliance with the policy direction provided by the Sacramento City Council and Sacramento County Board of Supervisors in forming the Water Forum, approving its work plan, and supporting the efforts of the Water Forum (C2001-005). The Project will aid in fish habitat restoration efforts for the Lower American River and provide data for future restoration projects, consistent with goals of the Water Forum Agreement.
Economic Impacts: None.
Environmental Considerations: Actions requested in this staff report relate to funding mechanisms that do not constitute a project as defined by the CEQA [CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 (b) (4)]. Project activities that occur in the event grant funding is received, will be subject to subsequent CEQA review.
Sustainability: Preserving the fish populations in the lower American River is a fundamental element of the Water Forum Agreement, which is supported by the City’s General Plan Goals, specifically Biological Resources (E.R. 2.1).
Commission/Committee Action: None.
Rationale for Recommendation: The Lower American River Salmonid Spawning Gravel Augmentation Project (Project) began in 2006 when the Water Forum first partnered with the USBR, U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Sacramento County Regional Parks. The purpose is to increase the availability of spawning gravel and rearing habitat for fall-run Chinook salmon and steelhead trout in the lower American River (LAR) and to monitor the effectiveness of the restoration projects.
Grant funding opportunities such as this allow the Water Forum to increase and improve salmon and steelhead spawning and rearing habitat by replenishing spawning gravel and establishing additional side-channel habitat at new restoration sites in the lower American River between Nimbus Dam and Discovery Park, a reach of approximately 20 miles. The need for this project derives from the declines of naturally spawned salmonid stocks due, in part, to loss of spawning and rearing habitat through curtailment of gravel recruitment caused by blockage of the river channel by dams.
Financial Considerations: If awarded, the Cooperative Agreement of up to $7,736,839 will cover the Project costs and no General Fund support is needed. No matching funds are required for this funding.
The City will advance the estimated total cost of project expenses during FY2018/19 from the HME) Fund (Fund 7104) and then be reimbursed for expenditures on a quarterly basis by USBR. This process will continue through FY2020/23 if funds are allocated for the Project. The work associated with this project will cease when funds are no longer available; there is no continuing financial obligation at the end of the grant term.
The Water Forum has received a total of $6,884,171 for gravel restoration projects since Fiscal Year 2006/07. Prior and projected allocations for gravel augmentation projects on the lower American River are listed below:
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): LBE does not apply to projects receiving federal funds. If awarded, City procurement policies will be adhered to in the acquisition of goods and services related to this Cooperative Agreement.