DATE: June 20, 2017
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AGREEMENTS WITH ELEVEN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO EDUCATE AN ESTIMATED 150,000 STUDENTS ON POLLUTION PREVENTION AND NATURAL RESOURCES WITHIN THE SAN DIEGO BAY WATERSHED IN THE AMOUNT OF $300,000 PER YEAR FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $1.5 MILLION OVER 5 YEARS USING FUNDING FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL FUND FOR THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS:
A) CHULA VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT COASTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $68,800 OVER 5 YEARS);
B) I LOVE A CLEAN SAN DIEGO (FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $121,500 OVER 5 YEARS);
C) LIVING COAST DISCOVERY CENTER (FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $365,000 OVER 5 YEARS);
D) MARITIME MUSEUM OF SAN DIEGO (FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $102,000 OVER 5 YEARS);
E) OCEAN DISCOVERY INSTITUTE (FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $199,000 OVER 5 YEARS);
F) OUTDOOR OUTREACH (FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $30,000 OVER 2 YEARS);
G) RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT OF GREATER SAN DIEGO COUNTY (FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $113,000 OVER 5 YEARS);
H) SAN DIEGO AUDUBON SOCIETY (FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $55,700 OVER 5 YEARS);
I) SAN DIEGO COASTKEEPER (FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $10,000 FOR 1 YEAR);
J) THE OCEAN FOUNDATION (FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $295,000 OVER 5 YEARS); AND
K) ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF SAN DIEGO (FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $140,000 OVER 4 YEARS)
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The District’s Environmental Education Program (EEP) supports local organizations that provide unique curriculum pertaining to the environmental health and protection of the San Diego Bay. The EEP was developed to educate students and teachers throughout the San Diego Bay watershed about pollution prevention, environmental stewardship, healthy ecosystems, and natural resources connected with the San Diego Bay. Additionally, the EEP has supported the District’s education and outreach requirements established by the Municipal Stormwater Permit1 as outlined in the District’s Jurisdictional Runoff Management Program (JRMP). Similarly, the EEP ensures compliance with education and outreach obligations identified in the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan Natural Resource Management Plan (NRMP). As a component of the EEP, the District’s School Partnership Program was established specifically to provide environmental education to students from seven elementary schools representing the District’s five member cities and in close proximity to the bay.
Since its inception, the EEP has provided valuable environmental curriculum to over 250,000 students in schools throughout the San Diego Bay watershed and has regularly targeted underserved audiences by reaching students attending Title I schools2. Organizations supported under the EEP have provided a diverse range of educational content through field activities, classroom exercises, laboratory experiments, informative field trips, and engaging online curriculum. Through participation in EEP programs, students learn about the value and diversity of natural resources connected to their watersheds, the importance of pollution prevention and watershed protection, and how to be environmental stewards moving forward. During the 2015-16 school year, the District’s EEP reached over 17,000 students from kindergarten through high school. Student evaluations provided by each of the EEP programs were universally positive and all indicated there was a measured increase in student awareness and understanding of pollution prevention and environmental stewardship.
Current agreements with EEP programs are nearing their expiration. In order to continue successfully providing innovative environmental educational lessons to students across the San Diego Bay watershed, while continuing to ensure permit compliance with education and outreach criteria outlined in the District’s JRMP, the District’s EEP has been restructured as a 5-year business plan. This approach consolidates programs funded by the Environmental Fund with programs addressing the School Partnership Program in order to provide diverse, innovative environmental curriculum to a broad audience of students and communities within the San Diego Bay watershed.
On November 10, 2016, per BPC Policy 110, a Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued soliciting proposals for education programs that promote environmental stewardship, pollution prevention and forward-thinking sustainability goals benefitting the San Diego Bay and its diverse resources. The RFP remained open through February 9, 2017. Fourteen education programs submitted proposals for consideration.
District staff utilized the selection criteria process developed by the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) for scoring and ranking the proposals. Based on staff review and the overall value that each program brings to the District’s EEP, and in conformance with BPC Policy 730, staff is recommending the funding of eleven environmental education programs in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000 over five years.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Adopt a resolution authorizing agreements with eleven environmental education programs to educate an estimated 150,000 students on pollution prevention and natural resources within the San Diego Bay watershed in the amount of $300,000 per year for a total amount of $1.5 million over 5 years using funding from the Environmental Fund for the following organizations:
A) Chula Vista Elementary School District Coastal Education Program (for a total amount of $68,800 over 5 years);
B) I Love a Clean San Diego (for a total amount of $121,500 over 5 years);
C) Living Coast Discovery Center (for a total amount of $365,000 over 5 years);
D) Maritime Museum of San Diego (for a total amount of $102,000 over 5 years);
E) Ocean Discovery Institute (for a total amount of $199,000 over 5 years);
F) Outdoor Outreach (for a total amount of $30,000 over 2 years);
G) Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County (for a total amount of $113,000 over 5 years);
H) San Diego Audubon Society (for a total amount of $55,700 over 5 years);
I) San Diego Coastkeeper (for a total amount of $10,000 for 1 year);
J) The Ocean Foundation (for a total amount of $295,000 over 5 years); and
K) Zoological Society of San Diego (for a total amount of $140,000 over 4 years).
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FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds for this expenditure are included in the proposed budget for FY 17/18, as a part of the Environmental Conservation Eligible Environmental Fund Expenditure account. Funds required for future fiscal year(s) will be budgeted for in the appropriate fiscal year subject to Board approval upon adoption of each fiscal year’s budget. Accordingly, this action does not commit the funding for future fiscal years.
Compass Strategic Goals:
The Environmental Fund benefits the Bay and surrounding tidelands by funding projects that are consistent with the COMPASS Strategic Plan.
The District’s Environmental Education Program supports the following Strategic Goal(s).
• A vibrant waterfront destination where residents and visitors converge.
• A Port with a healthy and sustainable bay and its environment.
• A Port that is a safe place to visit, work and play.
DISCUSSION:
History of the Environmental Fund
The District’s EAC Policy, BPC Policy 730, was adopted by the Board on June 6, 2006, per Resolution #2006-111, and revised on March 12, 2013, per Resolution #2013-27. This policy established the EAC and Environmental Fund. The purpose of the Environmental Fund, as defined in BPC Policy 730, is to restore or enhance San Diego Bay and surrounding Port tidelands by funding projects that address air, water and sediment quality, sustainability, natural resources management, habitat creation or protection, reclaiming natural shoreline conditions, and/or other environmental issues in the Bay and/or the Port tidelands.
Funding of the Environmental Fund
Pursuant to BPC Policy 730, the Environmental Fund is funded annually as follows: “½ of 1% of the District’s projected gross revenues for that year; for the purpose of this calculation, gross revenue shall not include anticipated grants from any source or any other restricted revenue source…Environmental Funds set aside may accumulate for more than one year, and all funding is subject to the discretion of the Board.”
Request for Proposals for Environmental Education Projects through the Environmental Fund
On November 10, 2016, per BPC Policy No. 110, RFP #16-40CH was issued soliciting proposals for environmental education programs that promote environmental stewardship, pollution prevention and forward-thinking sustainability goals benefitting the San Diego Bay and its diverse resources. Electronic notification was sent to 1,854 vendors via Planet Bids and proposals were accepted through February 9, 2017.
The RFP stated that proposals may focus on, but are not limited to, environmental curriculum that meets next-generation science content standards for California public schools and provide education for kindergarten through 12th grade students, while educational programs reaching the general public may also be considered. Requested program content on pollution prevention and natural resources was to be presented through in-class learning, field courses and field trips, online instruction, or any combination thereof. As well, the RFP stated that some level of hands-on learning is expected to be integrated into each participating program’s content.
The RFP required that each education program conduct an “effectiveness assessment” which could substantiate an increase in student knowledge regarding the program’s eduation content. All programs were required to produce a minimum of 30% matching funds or in-kind services.
Fourteen programs submitted proposals in response to RFP 16-40CH. Utilizing the evaluation criteria developed by the EAC, eleven of the fourteen programs were determined to provide a strong value to the Environmental Education Program. Staff recommends funding the following eleven environmental education programs, which will reach an estimated 30,000 students annually, for an amount not to exceed $1,500,000 over the next five years.
Environmental Education Programs
Chula Vista Elementary School District Coastal Education Program
Through its partnership with the Living Coast Discovery Center (LCDC), the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) Coastal Education Program provides standards-based lessons and hands-on curriculum focusing on environmental protection and conservation themes, including pollution prevention, stormwater management, watershed protection, habitat restoration, and endangered and sensitive species connected to the San Diego Bay. Funding over the next five years will provide bus transportation and admission to the LCDC for an estimated 20,800 preschool through eighth grade students.
Staff recommends funding of the CVESD Coastal Education Program for a total amount not to exceed $68,800 over five years.
I Love A Clean San Diego
Through its Connecting Kids and Communities to Conservation program, I Love a Clean San Diego (ILACSD) will provide environmental protection and pollution prevention education to students throughout the San Diego Bay watershed. Using interactive classroom presentations, hands-on post-presentation cleanup events, and community workshops and/or cleanups, the program will reach approximately 3,500 kindergarten through eighth grade students over five years. Lessons will cover the importance of water and watersheds, key pollutants and their effects, and how students can become environmental stewards to prevent pollution in local waterways.
Staff recommends funding of the ILACSD Connecting Kids and Communities to Conservation program for a total amount not to exceed $121,500 over five years.
Living Coast Discovery Center
The Living Coast Discovery Center (LCDC) Watershed Discovery: Connecting and Protecting San Diego Bay program takes advantage of its unique location within the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge to provide environmental conservation and environmental stewardship education to students and guests. The program consists of three components: a field trip that utilizes docent-led tours and educator-led lab activities to address conservation, watershed protection, pollution prevention, native plants and animals, and responsible outdoor recreation; public education utilizing instructor-led hands-on activites and interpretive signage designed to educate the general public on pollutant prevention and watershed protection related to the San Diego Bay; and habitat restoration and clean-up that engages volunteers as well as the general public. This program will provide hands-on lessons to over 31,000 kindergarten through twelfth grade students, families, volunteers, and general public over the next five years.
Staff recommends funding of the Living Coast Discovery Center Watershed Discovery: Connecting and Protecting San Diego Bay program for a total amount not to exceed $365,000 over five years.
Maritime Museum of San Diego
The Maritime Museum of San Diego Ecology and Economy of the Bay program addresses the role of the San Diego Bay in the regional economy, and the fragility of the San Diego Bay’s ecology specifically related to human impacts. Students initially board the Museum’s steam ferryboat Berkeley, and then take a trip around they Bay aboard the Museum’s boat Pilot. Students participate in a series of marine science experiments to learn about the Bay’s history, its flora and fauna, pollution prevention, sediment and water quality, and the manner in which humans have impacted the San Diego Bay. This progam will provide environmental education to approximately 4,500 fourth and fifth grade students over five years.
Staff recommends funding of the Maritime Museum of San Diego Ecology and Economy of the Bay program for a total amount not to exceed $102,000 over five years.
Ocean Discovery Institute
Through its Student Initiative Program and the new Living Lab facility, Ocean Discovery Institute will provide approximately 17,500 kindergarten through eighth grade students with science and environmental education experiences over the next five years. This program will provide classroom, hands-on laboratory, and field-based programming connecting students to the San Diego Bay watershed. Lessons will address coastal ecosystems, watershed management and protection, and conservation of natural resources while introducing students to a wide range of science professions.
Staff recommends funding of the Ocean Discovery Institute Student Initiative Program for a total amount not to exceed $199,000 over five years.
Outdoor Outreach
Outdoor Outreach’s YES: Youth Environmental Stewardship Project program utilizes recreational learning and hands-on environmental education and stewardship to educate, train and mobilize students from environmental justice communities within the San Diego Bay watershed. The program engages and connects students with San Diego Bay’s natural resources by incorporating environmental lessons on watershed dynamics, pollution prevention, and local ecology with recreational activities including hiking, biking, and kayaking, as well as participation in local trash clean ups and restoration events. This program will provide environmental education and stewardship lessons to approximately 1,650 fourth through twelfth grade students over two years, while supporting additional leadership and environmental stewardship career training.
Staff recommends funding of the Outdoor Outreach YES: Youth Environmetnal Stewardship Project program for a total amount not to exceed $30,000 over two years.
Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego
The Resource Conservation District (RCD) of Greater San Diego Watershed Connection program is an interactive classroom lesson connecting students to their local watershed. Lessons focus on water pollution issues including non-point source pollutants such as petroleum products, detergents, fertilizers, and pet waste, and introduces students and educators to appropriate best management practices. Using hands-on lessons to demonstrate watershed modeling, students learn where common pollutants are typically generated, how these pollutants travel from streets to waterways, and how to best manage and prevent further impacts to their watershed. This program will provide environmental education to over 12,000 second through sixth grade students over five years.
Staff recommends funding of the RCD of Greater San Diego The Watershed Connection program for a total amount not to exceed $113,000 over five years.
San Diego Audubon Society
The San Diego Audubon Society Outdoor Explore! program provides after-school outdoor environmental education to students through physical activity, exploration and exposure to natural spaces in their community. Focusing on the Otay River watershed, this program combines naturalist-led lessons with student-led self exploration to provide students with an understanding of the function of floodplains and human impacts on habitat and water quality specific to the San Diego Bay. This program will provide environmental education and stewardship lessons to over 2,500 kindergarten through sixth grade students over five years.
Staff recommends funding of the San Diego Audubon Society Outdoor Explore! program for a total amount not to exceed $55,700 over five years.
San Diego Coastkeeper
The San Diego Coastkeeper Water & Climate Stewards of San Diego Bay program is an enhancement of the existing District-funded online Water Education for All curriculum, which continues to provide environmental education to students and teachers within the San Diego Bay watershed. This program will support the development and pilot testing of one climate science lesson and one climate science stewardship project. Content will include an overview on climate science, the influence of natural processes and/or human activites on climate, and ways to measure carbon and water footprints. San Diego Coastkeeper will partner with six local schools within the San Diego Bay watershed to pilot this curriculum, and feedback will be used to refine and complete the program content. The lesson will be made available free online to all educators. The pilot phase of this program will provide environmental education to approximately 250 students, while the completed online curriculum has the potential to reach a much larger audience.
Staff recommends funding of the San Diego Coastkeeper Water & Climate Stewards of San Diego Bay program for a total amount not to exceed $10,000 for one year.
The Ocean Foundation - Ocean Connectors
The Ocean Foundation Ocean Connectors program provides hands-on environmental education through field trips, in-class lectures, and land and water-based eco-tours. The program provides instruction on the ecosystems of San Diego Bay and cultivates an understanding of coastal environments, the connection between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and the health, cultural and economical value of San Diego Bay. As a component of the program, students use a “knowledge exchange” with student peers in Mexico to further their understanding of natural resources, recording and presenting information collected and learned from program participation. The program will provide education to over 13,500 fourth through seventh grade students from National City over five years.
Staff recommends funding of The Ocean Foundation Ocean Connectors program for a total amount not to exceed $295,000 over five years.
Zoological Society of San Diego
The Zoological Society of San Diego Guardians of the Bay program provides intensive week-long project-based environmental education lessons for sixth through eighth grade students through a combination of in-classroom learning and outdoor investigations around San Diego Bay. The program creates an opportunity for students to generate change in local communities and watersheds, thereby supporting the overall health of the San Diego Bay. Each student grade level will study a different subject that fits into an overarching theme of environmental health specific to the San Diego Bay. The program introduces students to climate change and its impacts on local watersheds, pollution prevention, and natural resources through an all-school assembly. Specific grade level studies are then introduced, including data collection and scientific observation in the field, data analysis and interpretation of results in the classroom, and field application of the learned scientific skillset. This program will provide environmental education for approximately 4,480 students over four years.
Staff recommends funding of the Zoological Society of San Diego Guardians of the Bay program for a total amount not to exceed $140,000 over four years.
Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC)
During the April 5, 2017 EAC meeting, staff informed the committee that eleven environmental education programs would be recommended for funding at the May Board of Port Commissioners meeting.
Conclusion
By addressing pollution prevention, proper waste disposal, and impacts of urban runoff on receiving waters, each of the eleven programs described above meets education requirements of the Municipal Stormwater Permit as outlined in the District’s JRMP.Many of the programs also provide additional environmental protection content through lessons on good housekeeping, recycling, best management practices, integrated pest management, benefits of native vegetation, and/or water conservation. Additionally, all of the eleven programs described above address natural resources specific to San Diego Bay through lessons on the ecology and history of the area, habitat conservation, sensitive and endangered species, and/or how humans have impacted San Diego Bay over time.
In order to ensure comliance with education and outreach requirements outlined in the JRMP and NRMP documents and continue the success of education programs that protect and enhance San Diego Bay and its watershed, staff recommends authorizing agreements with eleven environmental education programs to provide environmental education content on pollution prevention and natural resources specific to the San Diego Bay watershed to an estimated 150,000 students over the next five years for a total of $1,500,000 using funding from the Environmental Fund. These eleven environmental education programs include:
- Chula Vista Elementary School District Coastal Education Program;
- I Love A Clean San Diego Connecting Kids and Communities to Conservation;
- Living Coast Discovery Center Watershed Discovery: Connecting and Protecting San Diego Bay;
- Maritime Museum of San Diego Ecology and Economy of the Bay;
- Ocean Discovery Institute Student Initiative Program;
- Outdoor Outreach YES: Youth Environmental Stewardship Program;
- Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County The Watershed Connection;
- San Diego Audubon Society Outdoor Explore!;
- San Diego Coastkeeper Water and Climate Stewards of the San Diego Bay;
- The Ocean Foundation Ocean Connectors; and
- Zoological Society of San Diego Guardians of the Bay.
General Counsel’s Comments:
The Office of the General Counsel has reviewed the issues set forth in this agenda and found no legal concerns as presented, and has reviewed and approved the agreements as to form and legality.
Environmental Review:
The proposed Board action to authorize agreements with eleven environmental education programs is Categorically Exempt pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) (General Rule Exemption) because the project would result in no significant effects on the environment. No further action under CEQA is required.
In addition, the Proposed Board action complies with Section 87 of the Port Act, which allows for the construction, reconstruction, repair, maintenance, and operation of public buildings public assembly, and meeting places, convention centers, parks, playgrounds, bathhouses and bathing facilities, recreation and fishing piers, public recreation facilities, including, but not limited to, public golf courses, and for all works, buildings, facilities, utilities, structures, and appliances incidental, necessary, or convenient for the promotion and accommodation of any of those uses. 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.
Finally, the proposed Board action is considered an “excluded development” pursuant to Sections 8.a. (3) (Existing Facilities) and 8.d. (5) (Minor Alterations to Land) of the District’s Coastal Development Permit (CDP) Regulations; therefore, issuance of a CDP is not required.
Equal Opportunity Program:
Due to limited known sub opportunities, no Small Business Enterprise goal was established for this solicitation.
PREPARED BY:
Timothy Barrett
Senior Environmental Specialist, Planning & Green Port
Attachment(s):
Attachment A: Agreement with CVESD Coastal Education Program
Attachment B: Agreement with I Love A Clean San Diego
Attachment C: Agreement with Living Coast Discovery Center
Attachment D: Agreement with Maritime Museum of San Diego
Attachment E: Agreement with Ocean Discovery Institute
Attachment F: Agreement with Outdoor Outreach
Attachment G: Agreement with Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County
Attachment H: Agreement with San Diego Audubon Society
Attachment I: Agreement with San Diego Coastkeeper
Attachment J: Agreement with The Ocean Foundation
Attachment K: Agreement with Zoological Society of San Diego
Attachment L: Table 1 - Environmental Education Program Recommended Funding
1NPDES Permit and Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges from the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) Draining the Watersheds within the San Diego Region, Order No R9-2013-0001 http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/sandiego/water_issues/programs/stormwater/docs/updates052313/2013-0523_Order_No._R9-2013-0001_COMPLETE.pdf
2Title I schools receive additional funding because their demographics comprise major ethnic/racial groups, economically disadvantaged students, students with limited English proficiency, and/or students with disabilities.