Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout080816_ra02Public Hea Regular Agenda Page 1 of 2 August 2, 2016 Port Townsend, WA 98368 www.JeffersonCountyPublicHealth.org JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST TO: Board of County Commissioners Philip Morley, County Administrator FROM: Tami Pokorny, Environmental Specialist II DATE: August 8, 2016 SUBJECT: Agenda Item — Presentation and Resolution to Authorize Application for Grant Assistance from the Salmon Recovery Funding Board for the Lower Big Quilcene Floodplain Acquisitions Project (RCO 16-1480) STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Environmental Health requests BoCC signature on a specifically -worded resolution authorizing submission of a funding application to the Recreation and Conservation Office's (RCO) Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) to continue to support floodplain acquisitions in the lower mile of the river. The SRFB grant request is $202,926 (total project cost: $238,737). ANALYSIS/STRATEGIC GOALS/PRO'S and CON'S: This project will enable Jefferson County to acquire, from willing sellers, additional residential and vacant parcels located on the floodplain of the lower Big Quilcene River — up to the limit of available funding. This project was ranked third of 21 proposals considered for 2016 SRFB and 2017-19 Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration Fund (PSAR) through the Hood Canal Coordinating Council Lead Entity process (http://hccc.wa.gov/content/hood-canal-lead-entity). It follows two other grants for this purpose (RCO 12-1384 and 15-1189). A final decision on funding for RCO 16-1480 will be made by the SRFB later this year. The creation of a restoration design for the river and estuary is now in progress with a stakeholder group and consultants led by the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (HCSEG) through a separate SRFB grant (RCO 15-1204 with RCO 16-2127 pending). The purpose of the design is to reconnect the lower river with its floodplain and distributory channels in order to support the recovery of Hood Canal Summer Chum and other salmonids and to reduce the adverse impacts of flooding to the community. If funding is awarded, the project agreement referenced in bullet #2 of the accompanying resolution will come before the BoCC for signature. This resolution is compatible with the County's Strategic Goal of seeking non -local sources of revenue and the HCCC Summer Chum Recovery Plan. Community Health Environmental Health Developmental Disabilities Water Quality 360-385-9400 360-385-9444 360-385-9401 (f) Always working for a safer and healthier community (f) 360-379-4487 Regular Agenda Page 2 of 2 August 2, 2016 FISCAL IMPACT/COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS: This project will not utilize any funds from the County General Fund. In the accompanying letter, the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group offers to provide a matching contribution (15% - $35,811) to the SRFB funds (85% - $202,926) through a pending application to the WA Department of Ecology's Floodplains by Design Program (FbD). A final decision on the FbD application is anticipated later this summer. RECOMMENDATION: Hear the presentation and approve and sign the accompanying resolution. Return a signed copy of the resolution to Environmental Health for forwarding to the Salmon Recovery Funding Board. DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Tami Pokorny, EHS II, 360/379-4498 REVIEWED BY: Philip Morley, ty Administrator Community Health Developmental Disabilities 360-385-9400 360-385-9401 (f) Always working for a safer and healthier community Environmental Health Water Quality 360-385-9444 (f) 360-379-4487 Mendy Harlow Executive Director p: 360.275.3575 ext. 23 f: 360.275.0648 mendy@pnwsalmoncenter.org P.O. Box 2169 1 Belfair, WA 98528 www.pnwsalmoncenter.org Deevenina the connection between land people. and salmon throuah restoration, education, and research. August 1, 2016 Re: Letter of Support for the Jefferson County project proposal, 2016 Lower Big Quilcene Floodplain Acquisition, SRFB #16-1480 Dear Honorable Jefferson County Commissioners, The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (HCSEG) has been involved in efforts to advance a restoration project in the lower one mile of the Big Quilcene River that benefits the local community and wishes to acknowledge its support of the 2016 Lower Big Quilcene Floodplain Acquisition grant proposal. Development of a comprehensive restoration design plan will pave the way for estuary restoration which will enhance salmon and shellfish habitat and address community needs such as flood control, water quality, and recreational access. HCSEG has a long history of salmon recovery efforts including river and estuary restoration projects in the Quilcene area. Our organization has a strong interest in continuing to partner with Jefferson County on the lower Big Quilcene River floodplain restoration project. HCSEG proposed the lower Big Quilcene River restoration design project to complement the Jefferson County floodplain acquisition proposal. HCSEG is committed to work with Jefferson County by providing match to this project through other funding sources. We intend to work together and build a strong community supported restoration plan with Quilcene residents, stakeholders and tribal trustees in order to reconnect the lower river with its floodplain and distributary channels. These combined projects and actions are needed in order to address several issues of interest to Jefferson County including water quality, flooding effects on private landowners and local businesses, and recreational access. Restoration of the lower Big Quilcene River and estuary is also a priority within Hood Canal because of the substantial potential ecological benefits. The long term project goal is to reduce flooding hazards on local residences while restoring estuarine hydrology, sediment transport, and other hydraulic and geomorphic processes. Developing a community supported, multiple benefit restoration design that supports ESA -listed Hood Canal Summer Chum and other species of concern in conjunction with key property acquisitions will build upon work already completed by HCSEG, Jefferson County and The Nature Conservancy on the early phases of this restoration project. Securing this proposed project funding will be key for an economic and ecological valuable, self-sustaining restoration design in the lower Big Quilcene River. The 2016 Lower Big Quilcene Floodplain Acquisition grant proposal is an important component to salmon restoration and recovery in Hood Canal and we thank you for considering this project for funding. Sincerely, I'. 4 -X -J r Mendy Harlow Executive Director Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group STATE OF WASHINGTON County of Jefferson In the Matter of an Application for } RESOLUTION NO. Grant Assistance to the Recreation } and Conservation Office, Salmon } Recovery Funding Board, for the } Lower Big Quilcene Floodplain } Acquisitions Project - RCO 16-14801 WHEREAS, under the provisions of the Salmon Recovery Act, state grant assistance is requested to aid in financing the cost of acquisition and restoration; and WHEREAS, Jefferson County considers it in the best interest to complete the project described in the application. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that: 1. The Environmental Health Department is authorized to make formal application to the Salmon Recovery Funding Board for grant assistance. 2. Our organization has reviewed the sample project agreement on the Recreation and Conservation Office's web site at: http://www.rco.wa.gov/documents/manuals&forms/SampleProjAgreement.pdf We understand and acknowledge that the project agreement will contain the indemnification (applicable to any sponsor) and waiver of sovereign immunity (applicable to Tribes) and other terms and conditions that are contained in the sample project agreement. 3. Any grant assistance received will be used for direct costs associated with implementation of the project referenced above. 4. Our organization expects our matching share of project funding will be derived from a grant to the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group from the Washington Department of Ecology Floodplains by Design Program, or other eligible program, and meets the requirements of WAC 420-12-040. In addition, our organization understands it is responsible for supporting all non-cash commitments to this project should they not materialize. 5. We acknowledge that if the Salmon Recovery Funded Board approves grant assistance for the project(s), the Recreation and Conservation Office will pay us on only a reimbursement basis, except for a specially approved advance payment. We understand reimbursement basis means that we will only request payment from the Recreation and Conservation Office after we incur eligible and allowable costs and pay them. The Recreation and Conservation Office may also determine an amount of retainage and hold that amount until the project is complete. The Recreation and Conservation Office may approve advance payments in limited circumstances, pursuant to WAC 420-12-060 and the policy outlined in Manual 8, Reimbursements. 6. [Acquisition Projects Only] We acknowledge that any property acquired with grant assistance be dedicated for salmon recovery purposes for perpetuity unless otherwise agreed to by our organization and the Salmon Recovery Funding Board. We agree to dedicate the property in a signed "Deed of Right to Use Land for Salmon Recovery Purposes" for fee acquisitions, or an "Assignment of Rights" for conservation easement acquisitions, to be recorded on the title of the property with the county auditor. RESOLUTION NO. Application for Grant Assistance to the Salmon Recovery Funding Board, Recreation And Conservation Office, for the Lower Big Quilcene Floodplain Acquisitions Project. 7. [Acquisition Projects Only] We acknowledge that any property acquired in fee title must be accessible to the public unless the Recreation and Conservation Office Director or the Salmon Recovery Funding Board agrees to other restrictions. 8. [Restoration Projects Only] We acknowledge that any property restored be maintained for a period of ten years after the project is complete unless otherwise provided and agreed to by our organization and the Salmon Recovery Funding Board. 10. This application authorization becomes part of a formal application to the Salmon Recovery Funding Board for grant assistance. 11. We provided appropriate opportunity for public comment on this application. 12. We certify that this resolution was properly and lawfully adopted following the requirements of our organization and applicable laws and policies and that the person signing as authorized representative is duly authorized to do so. This resolution was adopted by our organization during the meeting held: APPROVED AND ADOPTED this day of , 2016 in Port Townsend, Washington. Signed and approved by The following authorized representatives: SEAL: JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ATTEST: Kathleen Kler, Chair Phil Johnson, Member Carolyn Avery Deputy Clerk of the Board David Sullivan, Member