Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Jasneet W. Sharma, Director, Sustainability Department
Subject: Amendment to Agreement #40000-24-R079868 with San Mateo Resource Conservation District for Administration of the Forest Health and Fire Resiliency Program
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with the San Mateo Resource Conservation District (RCD) for administration of the Forest Health and Fire Resiliency Program, extending the term one year through June 30, 2026 and increasing the amount by $200,000, to an amount not to exceed $600,000.
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BACKGROUND:
The San Mateo Resource Conservation District (RCD) is a special district within San Mateo County that provides comprehensive and integrated resource conservation services for the local community related to wildlife, water, climate change, and agriculture. The RCD has been at the forefront of reducing fire risk by supporting fire recovery, forest health, and fire resilience programs. This work is accomplished by working in close partnership with local agencies, organizations, and communities to provide fire resiliency services including community engagement, technical assistance and education, strategic fuel break project support, and landscape fuels treatment and vegetation management.
District-discretionary Measure K funding along with Net County Cost has been previously provided to the RCD to support fire resiliency work. On March 26, 2019, the Board approved a $175,500 agreement for Wildfire Risk Reduction (Resolution No. 076501). On August 15, 2020, the Board approved a $150,000 agreement for post-CZU fire recovery and for implementation of the Neighborhood Chipping Program (Resolution No. 077794).
On February 22, 2022, the Board approved a new $400,000 agreement for the Forest Health and Fire Resiliency Program (Resolution No. 078732), of which $100,000 was Measure K monies and $300,000 was Net County Cost. On December 13, 2022, the February 22, 2022 agreement was amended to add an additional $405,000 of Measure K funds and to extend the term to June 30, 2023 (Resolution No. 079388).
The Board approved the current fire resiliency agreement with the RCD on August 1, 2023 with a $400,000 Measure K agreement for the Forest Health and Fire Resiliency Program for the term of August 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025 (Resolution No. 079868).
Through these agreements, the RCD’s forest health and fire resiliency efforts have effectively reduced wildfire risks along the coast, in rural areas, and the forested lands of San Mateo County. A few of the many accomplishments include:
• Over $13 million in additional State and Federal funding was leveraged to support forest health and fire resiliency efforts in the County.
• The San Mateo Fire Safe Council’s Chipper Program has served over 15 communities each year with roughly 5,000 homes served since 2019.
• Shaded fuel beaks and hazardous trees were removed across 100 acres of Quarry Park and project planning occurred for a 19-mile shaded fuel break around the community of La Honda.
• A wildfire risk assessment was completed for the community of El Granada and project planning for approximately 2,100 acres of forest health work in Butano State Park was completed.
• Managed planning and development of fuel reduction projects and hazard tree removal along critical evacuation routes, including Highway 92 and Highway 1.
DISCUSSION:
This proposed amendment to the agreement with the RCD continues the critical work of the Forest Health and Fire Resiliency Program. It will support the continued administration of the San Mateo Fire Safe Council’s Chipper Program, allowing a minimum of 15 communities (275 to 550 homes per year) to receive chipping services one to two times per year. It will also support a minimum of three projects related to strategic fuel breaks, landscape fuels treatment, removing hazard trees from coastal evacuation routes, and vegetation management. Additionally, RCD will continue to seek grants for fire mitigation, provide technical assistance for property owners to reduce fire risk throughout the County, and provide technical services to County landowners on streamlining permitting, hazard tree removal, and fuel load reduction. The RCD will leverage broad public engagement where appropriate and will continue to partner with and connect key stakeholders including but not limited to SMC Parks Department, CalFire, and San Mateo Fire Safe Council for an integrated approach to forest health and fire resiliency.
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the resolution and agreement as to form.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2025-26 Targets |
|
Continuation of the San Mateo Fire Safe Council’s Chipper Program. |
Provide chipping services to approximately 15 communities a year. |
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Support of fire resiliency related project development. |
Develop a minimum of three projects supporting fire resiliency. |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The County is dedicated to ensuring access for all communities to the San Mateo Fire Safe Council’s Chipper Program and tree removal permitting assistance. This amendment will facilitate providing these services to constituents and organizations throughout the County.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The amendment to the agreement will increase the agreement amount by $200,000 for a new not to exceed amount of $600,000 and will extend the term to June 30, 2026. These Net County Cost funds have been included in the Sustainability Department’s FY 2025-26 Recommended Level Budget. There is no new Net County Cost associated with this agreement.