Title
Department of Agriculture recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign retroactive Cooperative Service Agreement 25-7306-6574-RA with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Wildlife Services in the amount of $88,693.97, with a term of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 for Wildlife Services.
FUNDING: General Fund (62%) and Unclaimed Gas Tax (38%).
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Wildlife Services program is a cooperative venture between El Dorado County and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In the past, the USDA provides one full time employee, and the county has one full time Wildlife Services employee. The USDA-APHIS program has negotiated contracts with many counties throughout the state for wildlife services. USDA had worked with the department to offset the charges to our county allowing us to utilize the expertise and special equipment provided through USDA APHIS licenses with Fish and Wildlife for the past twenty plus years. The Department has included this amount in the FY 2025-26 approved budget.
There are two types of protection offered under this program with the main goal to control only the animals that are causing damage or injury, and providing technical assistance in wildlife damage prevention, including urgent and emergency large (bears and mountain lions) animal depredation:
1. Urban animal damage: These calls involve homeowners who have skunks, raccoons, or other wildlife that have taken up residence in the vicinity of their home and are causing property damage or are a threat to either pets or human health and safety.
2. Farmers and ranchers with livestock, crop and/or property loss: Typically, these calls involve both domestic and wild animal attacks on agricultural land.
The Agriculture Department recommends approval of the Cooperative Service Agreement to ensure the continued assistance in resolving wildlife damage problems and protect health and safety in El Dorado County. This Agreement also allows for cooperation with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Services (CDFW). APHIS-WS is a federal agency with a broad mission that includes carrying out wildlife damage management activities. In recent years USDA-APHIS has maintained an effective IWDM program to resolve conflicts with wildlife throughout the County. APHIS-WS is available and qualified to conduct the wildlife damage management services necessary to accomplish the County’s goals. USDA provides the Environmental Protection Agreement to ensure the continued assistance in resolving wildlife damage problems and protect public health and safety in El Dorado County.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could not approve the agreement and the department would need to hire an additional full time Wildlife Services employee to do the work. The approximate cost would be $196,000 for salary and vehicle.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
The Board has approved this Cooperative Service Agreement for the past twenty-one years of service.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel, Health and Human Services Animal Control Division, and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost associated with this item. The cost for the Cooperative Agreement is included in the FY 2025/26 Budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Chair to sign one original USDA APHIS Services Work and Financial Plan.
2) Board Clerk's Office to return one original USDA APHIS Services Work and Financial Plan to the Department.
3) Agriculture Department to distribute as appropriate and will return fully executed documents to the Board of Supervisors.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Safe and Healthy Communities.
CONTACT
LeeaAnne Mila (530) 621-7403