Title
Agriculture, Weights and Measures Department recommending Chairman be authorized to sign retroactive Agreement 06-0676 with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) in the amount of $49,855.29 for the term of January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2009 for the eradication of California "A" rated weeds on state and county rights-of-way and other properties in the Lake Tahoe Basin; and Budget Transfer 27263 increasing revenue and appropriations by $1,100 reflecting an increase in funding from CDFA for same.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve.
FUNDING: California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
|
|
Total Estimated Cost |
|
$ 49,855.29 |
|
|
|
Funding |
|
|
Budgeted |
$ |
|
New Funding |
$ 49,855.29 |
|
Savings |
$ |
|
Other |
$ |
|
Total Funding Available |
$ |
|
Change To Net County Cost |
|
$ 0 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: The funding and expenditures for this program are in addition to the current Fiscal Year Budget and are included in the attached Budget Transfer Request #27263 for the current year and will be included in FY 07/08 and FY 08/09 proposed budgets. This contract will not change the Department's net county cost.
Background: The submittal of this grant application to CDFA was approved by the Board on October 1, 2006 (Item #14). The Department of Agriculture, Weights & Measures has been involved in intensive invasive weed survey and eradication projects as state monies have become available. This agreement encompasses control projects which are important components of the Work Plans of the El Dorado County Weed Management Group and the Alpine County/Upper Carson River Watershed Weed Management Group. These collaborative groups are composed of local, tribal, state and federal agency staff, land managers, educators, private landowners, and volunteers. This project will be coordinated with other impacted agencies, including the Nevada Department of Agriculture, California Tahoe Conservancy, Placer and Nevada County Agriculture Departments, County Weed Districts (Nevada) and California and Nevada State Parks. Continued coordination will increase the probability of success in the eradication efforts.
Occurrences of "A" rated noxious weeds (most serious category) along highway easements and private lands within the project area were first documented in 2002. Survey, mapping and eradication work was expanded to include the entire Lake Tahoe Basin, including both the California and Nevada sections, in 2003. After four years of survey and eradication work, the detections of new, Spotted Knapweed or Diffuse Knapweed populations have been reduced by 80%. In addition, newly detected and historical infestations were smaller across the board, relative to the number and size of plants. Mapping of the infestations, utilizing GPS documentation, has been coordinated by El Dorado County Agricultural Department and beginning in 2004 includes data from all partners in the region in a standardized format. A comprehensive eradication project will require the continuation of a comprehensive program including delimitation, monitoring treatments, educational outreach and prevention components. This approach will ultimately save the entire Lake Tahoe ecosystem from the threat of invasive weed species.
The submittal of this grant application to CDFA was approved by the Board on October 1, 2006 (Item #14). This contract is retroactive to January 1, 2007 due to late receipt of the document from the state.
Action to be taken following Board approval:
1) Board Chair signs two copies of CDFA Agreement #06-0667
2) Board Clerks Office to return two copies to Agriculture Department
3) Once a fully-executable copy of Agreement #0-0667 is received from CDFA, Department will return contract to Board Clerks Office to file.
4) Board Clerk's Office to forward executed Budget Transfer #27263 to Auditor's office for posting.
Contact: Myrna Tow x6647