DATE: June 12, 2018
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH THE LIVING COAST DISCOVERY CENTER TO BE FUNDED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL FUND, PURSUANT TO BOARD POLICY NO. 730 - THE PORT ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE POLICY, FOR THE ENDANGERED RIDGWAY’S RAIL PROPAGATION PROGRAM IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $80,000 FOR FOUR YEARS WITH $22,000 IN MATCHING FUNDS. FUNDS REQUIRED FOR FUTURE FISCAL YEARS WILL BE BUDGETED IN THE APPROPRIATE FISCAL YEAR, SUBJECT TO BOARD APPROVAL UPON ADOPTION OF EACH FISCAL YEAR'S BUDGET
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On June 6, 2006, per Resolution #2006-1111, the Board adopted Policy No. 730, the Port Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) policy, which established the Environmental Fund. The purpose of the Environmental Fund is to fund projects that address air, water and sediment quality, sustainability and climate action planning, natural resources and endangered species management, habitat creation, restoration or protection, reclaiming natural shoreline conditions, environmental education, research and monitoring, and/or environmental projects in the Bay and/or the tidelands. Policy No. 730 states that in order for projects to receive funding, they must be approved by the Board.
Since 2006, the Environmental Fund has funded 89 projects, totalling approximately $11 million, to benefit San Diego Bay and the surrounding tidelands. Some of these projects include supporting endangered species; providing environmental education to over 500,000 students and residence; installation of 300kW of solar power; reduced water consumption; an LEED certifed building; assisted with restoring over 300 acres of wetlands; and removed over 300 tons of debris from the Bay. Additionally the Environmental Fund has leveraged grant funding and matching funds in excess of $11 million.
The Board created the EAC to function as a forum to provide the Board with input and recommendations for accomplishing the Port’s strategic goal to “protect and improve the environmental conditions of San Diego Bay and the Tidelands.” In evaluating a project for funding, the project must meet the objectives identified by the EAC. On April 5, 2018, comments by the EAC supported funding this program. Staff recommends funding the Living Coast Discovery Center’s endangered Ridgway’s rail propagation program in an amount not to exceed $80,000 for four years. The Living Coast Discovery Center would provide $22,000 in matching funds.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with the Living Coast Discovery Center to be funded from the Environmental Fund to support the endangered Ridgway’s rail propagation program for a total amount of $80,000 for four years with $22,000 in matching funds. Funds required for future fiscal years will be budgeted in the appropriate fiscal year, subject to board approval upon adoption of each fiscal year's budget.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds for FY18/19 are budgeted in the preliminary Environmental Conservation Environmental Fund budget. Funds required for future fiscal year(s) will be budgeted in the appropriate fiscal year, subject to Board approval upon adoption of each fiscal year’s budget.
Compass Strategic Goals:
The Environmental Fund benefits the Bay and surrounding tidelands by funding projects that are consistent with the Port’s COMPASS Strategic Plan.
This agenda item supports the following Strategic Goal(s).
• A Port that the public understands and trusts.
• A Port with a healthy and sustainable bay and its environment.
• A Port that is a safe place to visit, work and play.
• A Port with a comprehensive vision for Port land and water uses integrated to regional plans.
DISCUSSION:
History of the Environmental Fund
BPC Policy No. 730 was adopted by the Board on June 6, 2006, and last updated on April 10, 2018, by Resolution #2018-0632. BPC Policy No. 730 established the EAC to review and provide input and recommendations on Port environmental programs and intitatives, and commment on funding projects aimed at improving the condition of the Bay and surrounding Port tidelands.
Additionally, this policy established the Environmental Fund. The purpose of the Environmental Fund is to restore or enhance San Diego Bay and surrounding Port tidelands by funding projects that address air, water, and sediment quality, sustainability and climate action planning, natural resources and endangered species management, endangered species, habitat creation, restoration or protection, reclaiming natural shoreline conditions, environmental education, research and monitoring and/or other environmental projects in the Bay and/or Port tidelands. BPC Policy No. 730 states that in order for projects to receive funding, they must be approved by the Board.
Since 2006, the Environmental Fund has funded 89 projects, totalling approximately $11 million, to benefit San Diego Bay and the surrounding tidelands. Some of these projects include supporting endangered species; providing environmental education to over 500,000 students and residence; installation of 300kW of solar power; reduced water consumption; an LEED certifed building; assisted with restoring over 300 acres of wetlands; and removed over 300 tons of debris from the Bay. Additionally the Environmental Fund has leveraged grant funding and matching funds in excess of $11 million.
ENDANGERED SPECIES PROGRAM FUNDING
Ridgway’s Rail Propagation Program
The Living Coast Discovery Center, in partnership with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Hubbs SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and California Department of Fish & Wildlife, has been conducting a propagation program to rear the endangered rails since 2000. Since its inception, 462 birds have been released into eleven Southern California marshes.
On April 14, 2015, by resolution #2015-782, the Board approved a three year agreement to fund the Living Coast Discovery Center’s endangered Ridgway’s rail propagation program with Environmental Fund funding for a total not to exceed amount of $70,510 with $204,820 in matching funds. The Living Coast Discovery Center has requested additional funding to continue to support the Ridgway’s rail veterinary care, diet and nutrition; personnel; exhibit upgrades and maintenance; and marketing and interpretation. The Living Coast Discovery Center would provide $22,000 in matching funds.
The requested program funding would support Living Coast Discovery Center staff training to breed and raise Ridgway’s rail chicks to adulthood; maintain artificial nesting platforms; upgrade and enhance current Ridgway’s rail educational exhibits; and conduct annual Ridgway’s rail surveys in Southern California salt marshes.
Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC)
The EAC was informed that staff intended to recommendation additional funding for this program on April 5, 2018. The EAC members were supportive of staff’s recommendation to fund the Ridgway’s rail propagation program.
Conclusion
To continue the success of projects that protect and enhance San Diego Bay, staff recommends authorizing an agreement with the Living Coast Discovery Center to fund the endangered Ridgway’s rail propagation program using the Environmental Fund for a total not to exceed $80,000 for four years with $22,000 in matching funds.
General Counsel’s Comments:
The Office of the General Counsel reviewed this agenda and approved the proposed agreement as to form and legality.
Environmental Review:
This project is Categorically Exempt pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15307 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources) because the project involves support in the form of funding from the District’s Environmental Fund for the applicant and its regulatory partners to enhance an endangered species population. The District has determined none of the six exceptions to the use of a categorical exemption apply to this project (CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2). No further action under CEQA is required.
The proposed project complies with Section 87 of the Port Act, which allows for the establishment and maintenance of tide and submerged lands held in trust by District for open space, ecological preservation, and habitat restoration. As a shared resource, propagation and recovery of the endangered Ridgway’s Rail at the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge will also promote ecological preservation on adjacent District tide and submerged lands. The Port Act was enacted by the California Legislature and is consistent with the Public Trust Doctrine. Consequently, the proposed project is consistent with the Public Trust Doctrine.
The project site is located in an area that is not located within the Port Master Plan and is therefore not within the District’s coastal development permit jurisdiction. Additional approvals may be required from other agencies for the proposed project.
Equal Opportunity Program:
Not applicable.
PREPARED BY:
Eileen Maher
Principal, Environmental Conservation
Heather Kramp
Assistant Planner, Environmental Conservation
Attachment(s):
Attachment A: Agreement with the Living Coast Discovery Center for Endangered Ridgway’s Rail Propagation Program, Agreement No. 126-2018VM
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1 Resolution No. 2006-111, Clerks Doc. #50787
2 Resolution No. 2018-063, Clerks Doc. #66709