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Parks, a division of the Chief Administrative Office, recommending the Board:
1) Make findings that the Joint Powers Agreement is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Section(s) 15268 (Ministerial Project) and 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the CEQA Guidelines;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Joint Powers Agreement with State of California Department of Parks and Recreation for Administration of Whitewater Concessionaire Contracts on the South Fork of the American River, for a one-year term; and
3) Authorize the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer to execute any necessary amendments relating to this agreement, excluding term extensions and increases to the total compensation amount, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: State Park User Fees.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
In 1981, the County began active management of commercial outfitters on the South Fork of the American River between Chili Bar Dam and the confluence of Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. El Dorado County implements the River Management Plan (RMP) and issues Commercial Whitewater Outfitter permits in order to regulate overall numbers and concentration of commercial use, time-of-day restrictions, pollution and sanitation control. Lands managed under jurisdiction of the County comprise of land either owned by the County (such as Henningsen Lotus Park) or held privately (privately owned lands contain commercial, residential, and undeveloped parcels).
Other governmental agencies with jurisdiction in the South Fork corridor include the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks). State Parks manages Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area (FLSRA). State Parks and BOR are entered into a 25 year Managing Partner Agreement effective January 24, 2012, providing the State the authority to operate FLSRA for public recreation purposes.
The County manages and regulates whitewater recreation pursuant to California Harbors & Navigation Code 660 and County Ordinance 4594 through commercial river use permitting. The County maintains the lead role in managing whitewater recreation activities on lands adjacent to the river.
On November 10, 2020 (Legistar file 20-1319), the County entered into a five-year Joint Powers Agreement that expired on January 11, 2026, with State Parks to consolidate services to coordinate and streamline the management of concessionaire permits for commercial outfitters’ river access and activities. On January 6, 2026 the Board approved an amendment to extend the term by two years (Legistar file 25-1882). However, the amendment was not fully executed by the State prior to the agreement expiration date. As a result, State Parks has proposed a one year Joint Powers Agreement to continue operations. Prior to the end of the proposed one-year agreement, State Parks will perform a fee study and initiate a new multi-year Joint Powers Agreement incorporating the updated fee schedule.
As detailed in the Joint Powers Agreement, the County, in addition to administering outfitter count reports, is responsible for:
> Issuing permits to commercial outfitters, on behalf of the State, administering and collecting user fees from commercial outfitters for their put-in and take-out at State Park lands.
> Reviewing the reporting forms on behalf of the State.
> Collecting fees on behalf of State Parks rather than requiring outfitters to send separate payment directly.
The County charges $2.00 per person and the State charges $3.00 per person at put-in or take-out. The County will retain $0.50 per person of the State Park fees and remit $2.50 per person to the state on a quarterly basis.
It is anticipated that this agreement will yield annual County river usage fee revenue of approximately $25,000.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to approve the Joint Powers Agreement which would require the State to assume administration of their commercial outfitter permits on the South Fork of the American River.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
Legistar file 16-0032 - May 16, 2016 - Consultant Funding Approval to coordinate discussions with BLM and State Parks on whitewater recreation management
Legistar file 20-1319 - November 10, 2020 - JPA Agreement Adoption
Legistar file 25-1882 - January 6, 2026 - Amendment I to JPA Agreement
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Central Fiscal, County Counsel, California State Parks
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Revenue for the County’s portion of State Parks permits and usage fees was included in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget, therefore approval of this item will have no impact on Net County Cost. These fees represent an annual cost recovery of approximately $25,000 for County staff to administer the permits.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Obtain the Chair's signature on one (1) original Agreement; and
2) Forward one (1) copy of the fully executed Agreement to the Parks Division, Attention: Parks Manager.
CONTACT
Zachary Perras, Parks Manager