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Parks, a division of the Chief Administrative Office, recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 027-2025 to complete the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Grant and Cooperative Agreement Program (G25 grant cycle) applications in the amount of approximately $575,000 for Rubicon Trail projects; and
2) Authorize the Parks Manager to approve and execute any grant documents, including but not limited to applications, agreements, amendments, and payment requests, which may be necessary for the completion of the grant project, if awarded.
FUNDING: State of California Department of Parks and Recreation Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Grant and Cooperative Agreement Program (74%); Sacramento Municipal Utility District Funds and/or Off Highway Vehicle Fees, and Volunteer In-Kind Match (26%).
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Grant or Cooperative Agreement Program of the State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation, provides financial assistance to public entities and other qualified entities to help with the management of off-highway recreation. The Program supports planning, acquisition, development, maintenance, administration, operation, enforcement, restoration, and conservation of trails, trailheads, and other facilities associated with the use of off-highway motor vehicles.
Every year since 2001, El Dorado County has prepared grant applications and has been awarded Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) grant funding for Rubicon Trail projects. With this funding the County can meet the obligation of the US Forest Service Public Road easement, and the Saturated Soils Water Quality Protection Plan approved by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Parks Division is preparing G25 grant applications for Rubicon Trail projects. The grant applications, including a Resolution, will be submitted by the due date of March 3, 2025, for a period of performance that will begin after September 2025.
The Resolution declares that the applicant is authorized to receive grant funding; the project is consistent with planning documents and compatible with land use plans; the applicant understands legal obligations; the project will be well-maintained and implemented with diligence; matching funding will be provided; the public and adjacent property owners have been notified, as applicable; and authorizes the Parks Manager to execute all grant documents, including but not limited to applications, agreements, amendments, and payment requests, which may be necessary for the completion of the approved grant project.
Approval of this Resolution will allow Parks staff to complete and submit the applications for the following:
Ground Operations
This grant will provide funding for Rubicon Trail maintenance including, but not limited to, maintenance of the existing trail, gabion basket repair, trail delineation, routine facility maintenance and toilet pumping, and winter monitoring. Funding will also be utilized to purchase all project related material, supplies, and equipment.
Safety & Education
This grant will provide funding for related education and safety activities to promote El Dorado County's "4S - Sanitation, Spills, Sedimentation, and Safety” educational program on the Rubicon Trail. Project activities include, but are not limited to, staffing the Loon Lake Trailhead kiosk, producing a bandana, interpretive signage and other educational materials, and providing outreach and education at the County Fair and other events.
Planning #1
This grant will provide funding for conducting an engineering study and alternatives analysis for the parking lot located at the Loon Lake Trailhead, which is one of the three entrances to the Rubicon Trail. The study will provide future direction for addressing possible improvements to the parking lot.
Planning #2
This grant will provide funding to update the Rubicon Trail’s Habitat Management Plan (HMP) which is required for any ground operations project activity and to ensure Rubicon Trail projects comply with California Code of Regulations Title 14 Chapter 15 Section 4970.06.2 for the OHMVR Grant or Cooperative Agreement Program.
ALTERNATIVES
If not approved, the Parks Division will not be able to apply for Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Grant or Cooperative Agreement Program grant funding for Rubicon Trail projects. The County is under the conditions of the US Forest Service easement and the Saturated Soils Water Quality Protection Plan approved by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
Legistar file 24-2133 - December 10, 2024 - Resolution Correction to Authorize Acceptance of OHMVR Grant Funds
Legistar file 24-1777 - November 12, 2024 - Authorize Acceptance of OHMVR Grant Funds
Legistar file 23-2156 - January 9, 2024 - Authorize Acceptance of OHMVR Grant Funds
Legistar file 23-0125 - January 24, 2023 - Authorize Acceptance of OHMVR Grant Funds
Legistar file 21-1731 - November 16, 2021 - Authorize Acceptance of OHMVR Grant Funds
Legistar file 21-0041 - January 26, 2021 - Authorize Acceptance of OHMVR Grant Funds
Legistar file 20-0019 - January 28, 2020 - Authorize Acceptance of OHMVR Grant Funds
Legistar file 18-1429 - October 9, 2018 - Authorize Acceptance of OHMVR Grant Funds
Legistar file 17-1022 - October 10, 2017 - Authorize Acceptance of OHMVR Grant Funds
Legistar file 15-0992 - December 6, 2016 - Authorize Acceptance of OHMVR Grant Funds
Legistar file 14-1147 - September 23, 2014 - Authorize Acceptance of OHMVR Grant Funds
Legistar file 13-1331 - November 12, 2013 - Authorize Acceptance of OHMVR Grant Funds
Legistar file 12-1129 - September 11, 2012 - Authorize Acceptance of OHMVR Grant Funds
Legistar file 11-0727 - June 28, 2011 - Authorize Acceptance of OHMVR Grant Funds
Legistar file 10-0846 - August 24, 2010 - Authorize Acceptance of OHMVR Grant Funds
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel, Department of Transportation, Surveyor’s Office
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval could result in the award of grant funding for Rubicon Trail projects:
- Ground Operations in the amount of approximately $122,100 (74%) from OHMVR Grant and Cooperative Agreement Program, with required matching funds (26%) in the amount of approximately $42,900 from El Dorado-Sacramento Municipal Utility District Cooperation Agreement Fund (SMUD Funds) or Off-Highway Vehicle Fees (Green Sticker Funds), and Volunteer in-kind match for a project total of approximately $165,000. The County has received an intent to award funding from the Federal Highway Administration California Division Grant Program for Rubicon Trail projects which will provide match funding if awarded and the grant agreement is executed.
- Safety & Education in the amount of approximately $88,800 (74%) from OHMVR Grant and Cooperative Agreement Program, with required matching funds (26%) in the amount of approximately $31,200 from SMUD Funds or Green Sticker Funds, for a project total of approximately $120,000.
- Planning #1 in the amount of approximately $148,000 (74%) from OHMVR Grant and Cooperative Agreement Program, with required matching funds (26%) in the amount of approximately $52,000 from SMUD Funds or Green Sticker Funds, for a project total of approximately $200,000.
- Planning #2 in the amount of approximately $66,600 (74%) from OHMVR Grant and Cooperative Agreement Program, with required matching funds (26%) in the amount of approximately $23,400 from SMUD Funds or Green Sticker Funds, for a project total of approximately $90,000.
SMUD funds are available to fund projects or services related to the Upper American River Project, including the Rubicon River Basin, and Green Sticker Fees, which are collected by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, are allocated to cities and counties to provide, and operate trails and other facilities for the use of off-highway motor vehicles.
Parks Division staff will return to the Board for acceptance of the grant funding, if awarded, and a budget amendment for use of SMUD and Green Sticker Funds for matching funds to continue the Rubicon Trail project.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Obtain the Chair's signature on two original Resolutions.
2) Forward one original Resolution to the Chief Administrative Office Parks Division, Attention: Zachary Perras.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Zachary Perras, Parks Manager
Jennifer Franich, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer