Title:
Title
Cooperative Agreement: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services for the Lower American River Restoration Prioritization and Monitoring Project
End
FileID
File ID: 2020-00993
Location
Location: Citywide
End
Recommendation:
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager, or the City Manager’s designee, to: 1) apply for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Central Valley Project Improvement Act Title XXXIV [CVPIA-(b)(16)] funding for Fiscal Years (FY) 2020/21 through 2023/24, for an amount up to $1,305,400 for the Lower American River Restoration Prioritization and Monitoring Project; and 2) if awarded, a) accept federal funds in the amount awarded by the USFWS by executing the Cooperative Agreement and any subsequent modifications, b) establish the LAR Juvenile Salmonid and Habitat Monitoring (G14140700) grant project, and c) establish the revenue and expenditure budgets in the LAR Juvenile Salmonid and Habitat Monitoring (G14140700, Fund 7104) for the amount awarded.
FileName
Contact: Lilly Allen, Program Manager, (916) 808-1997; Virginia Smith, Program Specialist (916) 808-1995, Citywide & Community Support; City-County Office of Metropolitan Water Planning
Body
Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Application
3- Resolution
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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Central Valley Project Improvement Act [CVPIA-(b)(16)] to fund activities related to the Lower American River Restoration Prioritization and Monitoring Project (Project) for the next three years. Matching funds are required, but USFWS has recognized prior FY2019/20 contributions to fulfill this requirement.
The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to monitor the effectiveness of previous habitat restoration projects on the salmon and steelhead populations in the lower American River, and to provide data for selection of future restoration sites.
Staff requests authorization to submit the application; execute all necessary agreements and establish related revenue and expenditure budgets.
Policy Considerations: Resolution 2020-0123, Section 11.1, requires City Council approval to accept grant funding, establish a grant project and appropriate grant funding when the award is equal to or greater than $250,000. 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 CCOMWP, approving its work plan, and supporting the efforts of the Water Forum (C2001-005). The Project will aid in monitoring 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:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): 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 would occur in the event grant funding is received would be subject to subsequent CEQA review.
Sustainability: Monitoring 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 Water Resources (E.R. 2.1.10).
Commission/Committee Action: None.
Rationale for Recommendation: The Lower American River Salmonid Spawning Gravel Augmentation Project (Project) began in 2006 when the City-County Office of Metropolitan Water Planning (CCOMWP) first partnered with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBOR), U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS), California Department of Fish and Game 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.
This Cooperative Agreement allows the Water Forum to monitor the effectiveness of past projects to determine how salmon and steelhead populations were affected by habitat restoration projects and to gather data for future restoration sites.
Financial Considerations: The Cooperative Agreement of up to $1,305,400 will cover the Project costs and no General Fund support is needed. Matching funds of $150,000 were required for this project, but USFWS has recognized prior years contributions to fulfill this requirement.
The City will advance the estimated total cost of project expenses during FY2020/21 from the Habitat Management Element (HME) Fund (Fund 7104) and then be reimbursed for expenditures on a quarterly basis by USFWS. This process will continue through FY2022/23 if funds are available 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.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): If awarded, City procurement policies will be adhered to in the acquisition of goods and services related to this Cooperative Agreement.