Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Nicholas J. Calderon, Parks Director
Subject: Grant Agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for funding to conduct the Hazardous Fuel Reduction and Invasive Species Control Project at Quarry County Park
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing the Parks Director, or the Parks Director’s designee, to execute a grant agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for $300,000 in California Climate Investment funds for the Quarry County Park Hazardous Fuel Reduction and Invasive Species Control Project.
body
BACKGROUND:
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s (“CAL FIRE”) California Climate Investment Fund Fire Prevention Grants Program (“Program”) provides funding to public agencies and other eligible entities to perform wildfire prevention projects and activities in and near fire threatened communities. Eligible activities include hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire prevention planning, and wildfire prevention education with an emphasis on improving public health and safety while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Program is funded through the State of California’s General Fund with Cap-and-Trade auction proceeds appropriated by the California Legislature.
In coordination with CAL FIRE’s CZU Unit, the San Mateo County Parks Department (“Department”) identified hazardous fuel reduction and invasive species control efforts at Quarry County Park as a high priority for funding by the Program. CAL FIRE recommended to the California Northern Region grant program administrator that funding for the Quarry Park Hazardous Fuel and Invasive Species Control Project (“Project”) be awarded, and grant funding has been allocated to the Department for Project completion. Because the recommendation was made directly by CAL FIRE, these funds have been directly awarded to the Department without participating in a competitive grant process. The funds for this grant Project would directly contribute to projects included in the Department’s 5-year Wildfire Fuel Management Program, including maintenance efforts for Project 2 and Project 16, and treatment of untreated segments of Project 16.
The total Project cost is $407,795, which is comprised of $300,000 in Program grant funding and $107,795 in County funds (consisting of $26,945 in staff time (salaries and benefits) and $80,850 in Department Measure K funds appropriated for fire fuel reduction activities within County parks). While a local match is not required for the grant award, the Department’s financial contribution includes County staff time to manage Project activities and implementation of fuel reduction and maintenance activities that are already planned for Quarry County Park, which complement the Project objectives.
As a condition to granting Program funds, CAL FIRE requires a resolution from this Board authorizing the Department to enter into the grant agreement with CAL FIRE.
DISCUSSION:
The Project includes two efforts. First, the Department will reduce hazardous fuels by removing invasive species and preventing regrowth through the application of herbicide. Herbicide use will target invasive vegetation along park boundaries, roads, and trail infrastructure, and within areas of prior large-scale vegetation management projects. Vegetation targeted for control will focus on broom, pampas grass, cape ivy, fennel, thistle, blue gum eucalyptus, and blackwood acacia, but may include other non-native invasive species growing within park boundaries. This will accomplish necessary project maintenance for existing and planned shaded fuel breaks throughout Quarry Park within the scope of Project 2 and Project 16 in the Department’s Wildfire Fuel Management Program. Ongoing maintenance and invasive species control for these projects is necessary to maintain the effectiveness of these shaded fuel breaks.
Second, the Department will remove and dispose of large, previously cut, eucalyptus logs which are located within and adjacent to a 100’ wide fire break installed on the property prior to when the County acquired the property in 2014. Removal of this large woody debris, which have previously obstructed effective maintenance of the fire break, would allow the Department to better manage fuel loads and help enhance defensible clearances on neighboring properties located along El Granada Boulevard. Once removed, the Department will also be able to advance additional treatable areas for Project 16 from its Wildfire Fuel Management Program.
Upon award of Program grant funds and adoption of this resolution, the Department will enter into an agreement with the CAL FIRE to carry out the Project in the form required by CAL FIRE, with all grant funds required to be expended prior to March 15, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total activity cost for the Project is $407,795, which would include $300,000 in Program grant funding as well as $107,795 in County matching funds consisting of $26,945 in staff time (i.e., salaries and benefits) and $80,850 in Department Measure K funds for fire fuel reduction activities within County parks. The matching funds are currently budgeted in the Parks Department’s FY 2021-22 Adopted Budget and will be included in future budgets.